Have you considered how families today come in all shapes and sizes? Many LGBTQ+ families may need estate plans that take a variety of factors into account, as each state may have different rules about intestate inheritance, guardianship for minor children, and what types of relationships outside of civil marriage are legally recognized. Let us… Read more »
You may already know to update your driver’s license, voter registration, and primary care physician after a move to a new state. Have you remembered to update your estate plan as well? While your existing estate plan is probably still valid in your new state, it may not have the same effect as it would… Read more »
Have you ever heard of a SLAT? A Spousal Lifetime Access Trust, more commonly referred to as a “SLAT,” is an estate planning tool that allows you to remove up to $11.6 million from your estate and place it in an irrevocable trust for your spouse, which your spouse can then use and access during… Read more »
Most New Year’s resolutions may involve creating good habits or nixing bad habits. Maybe you choose to give up snacking past 8:00pm. Maybe you resolve to eat healthier foods or exercise more frequently. One resolution that may not be very common, but should be, is to work with an experienced estate planning attorney to create… Read more »
Did you know having a proper estate plan in place can be one of the best ways to make sure that your assets and family are protected when you are gone and your wishes are known and carried out? How do you go about choosing an estate planning attorney to help? We know you may… Read more »
Have you heard that the Medicare Open Enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7? This is an annual event. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be more important than ever for beneficiaries to review and choose the plan that best suits their health care needs. Every year, Medicare health and drug plans make… Read more »
Did you know a new estate plan is not necessary simply because a new year has occurred? The Florida statutes do not require that a last will and testament or trust agreement be updated every so many years in order to remain valid. Existing wills or revocable trusts, however, may need to be reviewed each… Read more »
There comes a time when you will need to be certain that your parents’ estate plan is current and no revisions are necessary. This event may arise because one or both of your parents have recently sustained a major illness that has or could become life-threatening. Hopefully, you have communicated with your parents to understand… Read more »
The SECURE Act of 2019 was recently passed by the US House of Representative. It is expected to be considered by the U.S. Senate in the fall. The correct name for this proposed law is the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019. Many believe that this bill will be passed by… Read more »
When preparing your estate plan, you likely heard about probate proceedings and structured your estate plan to try to avoid them. Did you know, however, that if you own real property in another state, you may be subject to ancillary probate proceedings? Ancillary probate is a type of probate proceeding that occurs after the primary… Read more »
Beth A. Prather, PA, and the team are happy to have you visiting our website. As of September 1, 2021, our practice has joined with Green Schoenfeld & Kyle LLP and continues to be able to provide robust services to our clients and our local community. We look forward to working with you. You may still call our office phone number at 239-208-3050 to reach Attorney Beth A. Prather or any of our team members. We are meeting with clients in whatever way they are most comfortable, including in-person appointments at 1380 Royal Palm Square Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33919.