If you’ve ever heard someone mention a Lady Bird Deed and thought, “Is that a real thing?” — yes, it absolutely is. And if you’re a Florida homeowner looking for an easy way to pass your property to someone when you die without going through probate, it might just be your new best friend. As […]
On July 4, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) into law, marking the most extensive changes to the federal tax code since 2017. The new law touches nearly every aspect of the tax system, impacting estate planning, business deductions, personal income tax rules, and international compliance. While many provisions […]
Estate planning documents are tools created to allow individuals a sense of security and protection for their wellbeing during their lifetime and for their assets once they pass away. The five main documents that serve as a fundamental foundation to any estate plan include: Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, […]
Common law marriages are legally recognized marriages between two partners that have been together for a set amount of time, in many places, for example, seven years. Despite the term, common law marriages are not very common in the United States and are only recognized in a few states. In Florida, the belief that common […]
A Springing Power of Attorney is a specific type of power of attorney that is activated only upon the incapacity of the principal party. Upon the principal party’s determination of incapacity by a physician or a Court Order, the agent designated in the Springing Power of Attorney is then able to secure and manage the […]
Congratulations to J. Mason Williams IV for his recognition in the 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. He’s been highlighted for his work in: Commercial Litigation Litigation – Construction Litigation – Trusts and Estates Lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America are divided by geographic region and practice areas, and […]
Florida real estate investors have long used land trusts as a versatile legal tool with multiple benefits. The basic framework of a land trust is as follows: The property owner conveys title through a deed to the new owner, the trust. The trustee of the trust holds legal title, while the beneficiary owns a beneficial interest in […]
Many individuals wish to pass their property down to their heirs without probate. One way to do this is with a life estate deed where the owner retains possession of the property while they (or another person) are alive, and then another person becomes the fee simple owner of the property. However, this type of […]
By Charles P. Castellon, Esq. (c) 2017 All rights reserved. If you own real estate assets, you should know about asset protection strategies. Real estate investors have long used land trusts in Florida to hold title to their properties. There are many reasons to use land trusts, but this article will focus on the asset […]
