Recent Blog Posts

Who Can Witness A Last Will And Testament In Florida?
As you may know, a Last Will and Testament must be signed in front of two witnesses. If no one witnessed the Will or there was only one witness, the document is not valid. Our estate planning attorneys at Legacy Protection Lawyers, LLP, are often asked, “Who can witness the signing of the Will… Read More »

4 Steps To Take When Administering The Probate Estate In Florida
Probate estate administration is the process of distributing a decedent’s estate after their death. Administration of the probate estate is a complicated process, which is why Florida law usually requires the personal representative to hire a lawyer to help them follow all the rules and procedural requirements. There are a number of steps to… Read More »

What Is A Petition For Discharge In Probate?
Filing a Petition for Discharge is one of the last obligations of an estate’s personal representative in Florida probate. The petition is also one of the last documents beneficiaries of an estate will receive before the estate is closed. A Petition for Discharge informs the probate court and the beneficiaries of the assets subject… Read More »

Should You Sign A Waiver Of Accounting In A Florida Probate?
After the personal representative of an estate has fully administered the estate, they will file a petition for discharge, which ends the probate administration process. However, prior to the end of the administration process, the beneficiaries of the estate may be asked to sign a Waiver of Accounting. If you have been asked to… Read More »

What Is A Separate Writing When Creating A Will In Florida?
Often, estate planning lawyers tell clients to use a separate writing when creating a Last Will and Testament. The separate writing is used to list the Testator’s tangible personal property and identify the beneficiaries who will receive the items after the Testator’s passing. Speak with our St. Petersburg estate planning lawyers at Legacy Protection… Read More »

What Is A Notice Of Trust In Florida Probate?
If you are a Trustee dealing with the probate process after the Trustor’s death, you have probably heard the term “a notice of Trust.” You need to understand what a notice of Trust is and how to file the notice properly during the probate process in Florida. A notice of Trust is a critical… Read More »

Dynasty Trust: What Is It And What Are The Benefits?
A Dynasty Trust is a way to pass your wealth from generation to generation while protecting your hard-earned assets from creditors and other parties. People who set up a Dynasty Trust can pass assets hundreds of years into the future to ensure that their grandchildren and great-grandchildren become the beneficiaries long after the Trustor… Read More »

Estate Planning For LGBTQ Couples In Florida
Everyone can benefit from developing an estate plan, including LGBTQ couples. As a rule of thumb, people in the LGBTQ community are less likely to get married, not to mention that they may have children where only one or none of the partners is the child’s biological parent. That is why estate planning is… Read More »

What Does ‘Per Stirpes’ Mean In Florida Last Will And Testaments?
If you have seen someone use the term “per stirpes” in a Last Will and Testament, you might wonder, “What does it mean?” Many Wills contain the words “per stirpes,” which is Latin for “by branch.” The legal term “per stirpes” in a Will refers to how the Testator’s assets will be distributed to… Read More »

Land Trust: What Is It And What Are The Benefits?
Many Floridians are setting up Land Trusts for their properties in the Sunshine State. But what is a Land Trust, and can you benefit from creating it as part of your estate plan in Florida? If you are considering setting up a Land Trust in Florida, consult with a St. Petersburg trust planning attorney… Read More »