Blog Posts in 2013
Posted on Nov 27, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
When getting involved in an estate plan, setting up a trust is an integral part of the process when you want to leave any wealth to your children. Essentially, a trust ensures that money is put to the ...
Continue reading "Benefits of Trusts" »
Posted on Nov 19, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
Why do I need estate planning? I am perfectly capable of managing my estate. This is a common thought amongst the living. One of the things that this person fails to realize however is what will ...
Continue reading "Why Estate Planning?" »
Posted on Nov 6, 2013 By Miami Probate Lawyer
When someone who owns property passes away, in most cases the only way to transfer their property to the rightful beneficiaries is through probate proceedings. Probate is a court-supervised process ...
Continue reading "What to Expect from Estate Administration" »
Posted on Oct 30, 2013 By Miami Estate Planning Lawyer
When creating an estate plan, you may have several reasons why you may want to consider making cash gifts to your loved ones. Gift tax applies to lifetime gifts, whereas estate tax applies to estate ...
Continue reading "An Overview on Gift Taxes" »
Posted on Sep 23, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
A frequent question is: what happens to my property if I don't have a will? A will directs the transfer of assets that were in the deceased person's name alone. So if assets are titled in ...
Continue reading "If I Die Without a Will, Who Inherits?" »
Posted on Sep 22, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
Elder law is a legal term that covers an area of practice that places emphasis on issues that affect our nation's growing aging population. The three major categories that make up elder law ...
Continue reading "Placing Emphasis on Issues that Affect the Elderly" »
Posted on Sep 19, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
Often times people are very unfamiliar with the process of probate until a loved one passes away and they are somehow involved in the probate of a will or the administration of an estate. Probate is ...
Continue reading "Benefits of Probate" »
Posted on Aug 30, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
Whether the account specifies "joint tenants with right of survivorship" or the owners were married when it was created, where the property goes depends upon the order in which death occurs. ...
Continue reading "Our Property Is In Joint Names, What Happens If We Both Die In An Accident?" »
Posted on Aug 22, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
Often a person's first encounter with probate is when they go to the bank to close an account of a recently deceased relative. The bank's representative tells you that you need to provide ...
Continue reading "Letters Testamentary? Letters of Administration?" »
Posted on Aug 18, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
Florida law does offer a short form of the probate process for certain estates, called Summary Administration. To qualify for Summary Administration, the estate must either: have assets that after ...
Continue reading "Is There a Fast Way Through Probate?" »
Posted on Aug 16, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
This is a question frequently asked. If the will signed in another state was valid there, it will be recognized by the Florida courts. Even if your Last Will and Testament will be honored by the ...
Continue reading "Is This Will I Signed Before I Moved to Florida Good in Florida?" »
Posted on Jul 18, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
The laws for distribution of assets after death through probate apply only to assets in the decedent's name alone. Property and accounts in the name of both husband and wife automatically remain ...
Continue reading "What Will the Surviving Spouse Inherit in Florida?" »
Posted on Jul 12, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
When the deceased person and all heirs are United States citizens and residents, one does not anticipate any issue involving international law. Yet sometimes they are found. In one estate, the ...
Continue reading "Unexpected Questions of International Law Encountered in Probate of Florida Estates" »
Posted on Jul 1, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
Where will your remains rest? Some of the usual conflicts that arise during probate of an estate involve: Who will be the personal representative, Management of the estate assets, Assets included in ...
Continue reading "Issues in Probate" »
Posted on Jun 28, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
How Much Will Your Child Pay in Fees? For most young families who make a Last Will and Testament, one of the most important and difficult decisions is naming a guardian for their minor children in the ...
Continue reading "The Accidental Guardianship" »
Posted on Jun 21, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
Some Reasons Your Will May Not Be Honored: If you put forth the time, effort, and expense to have your will prepared by a Miami probate lawyer, you want it to be followed. A common reason that a will ...
Continue reading "Will My Will Be Willfully Honored?" »
Posted on Jun 14, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
Will contests and other litigation during administration of your estate or trust is very stressful to the parties, delays distribution, and greatly increases the costs. One might think that only ...
Continue reading "Will Your Estate Be Litigated?" »
Posted on Jun 11, 2013 By Susan E. Durre
Are you in charge of administering an estate? If you are designated as "Personal Representative" in the will of a deceased Florida resident, you are charged with the duty to administer the ...
Continue reading "In Charge of Estate Administration?" »
Posted on Apr 10, 2013 By Susan Durre
Laws and regulations regarding probate are frequently changing, and it is my job as a lawyer to inform my current or prospective clients about said changes. I want to give everyone the most up-to-date ...
Continue reading "Welcome to My Miami Probate Blog" »