Our Trusts & Estates group has been a focus of the firm since it was founded over 40 years ago. We understand that planning in today’s economic and legal climate poses dynamic and threatening challenges to those individuals and families with significant wealth. Issues such as business succession, estate and gift tax, generation-skipping transfer tax, asset protection, charitable giving and income tax all need to be addressed and consistently reviewed in this ever-changing area of law.
Instruments and Techniques
We understand that each client has different goals and problems, and that there is not one singular plan that will work for each client. Our attorneys use a wide variety of instruments and techniques in creating each unique client plan.
Related Blogs
By Natalie A. Roberts — July 2021
The media has reported widely upon the need to provide funding for governmental programs, whether those stemming from the COVID pandemic, those needed to address climate change, or those focused on improving our nation’s aging infrastructure. Washington is actively seeking ways to pay for such programs, and to reduce (or […]
Categories: Articles, Blogs, Trusts & Estates
By Brandon D. Bellew — March 2019
There is now a procedure for obtaining an injunction for protection against exploitation of a vulnerable adult under Florida Statute Section 825.1035. This statute was enacted on July 1, 2018. It creates a cause of action for an injunction (and other relief) for protection against exploitation of a vulnerable adult. […]
Categories: Blogs, Trusts & Estates
By Brandon D. Bellew — December 2018
There is a new statute, effective July 1, 2018, that provides more clarity for a waiver of Florida Constitutional spousal homestead inheritance rights through a deed. The Florida Constitution, under Article X, Section 4(c), states: “the homestead shall not be subject to devise if the owner is survived by spouse […]
Categories: Blogs, Trusts & Estates
By Brandon D. Bellew — September 2018
A person must be of “sound mind” when he or she makes a will.1 This standard also applies to a trust. Florida case law defines “testamentary capacity” as “the ability to mentally understand in a general way (1) the nature and extent of the property to be disposed of, (2) […]
Categories: Blogs, Trusts & Estates
By Brandon D. Bellew — May 2018
The most common issues that I handle as a probate and trust litigation attorney relate to the grounds to contest a last will and testament or a trust agreement. The grounds to contest the validity of a will or trust generally fall into three basic categories: 1. A formality—i.e. the […]
Categories: Blogs, Trusts & Estates