Category Archives: Estate Planning
Your Guide to Intestacy Laws in Florida
Every adult in Florida should have an estate plan in place. Estate planning is your opportunity to control what will happen to your property and your assets. What happens if there is no legally valid plan? Florida’s intestacy laws take over. Here, our St. Petersburg estate planning attorney provides a guide to the intestacy… Read More »
Florida Has One of the Most Comprehensive Homestead Exemptions in the Country (Why it Matters)
Florida’s homestead exemption is widely regarded as one of the strongest legal protections for property owners in the United States. It shields a person’s primary residence from certain creditors and offers substantial property tax benefits. Understanding how the exemption works is essential for homeowners, especially when planning for the future or addressing financial challenges…. Read More »
Do You Need a Health Care Surrogate if You Have a Living Will?
As part of your estate plan in Florida, you should have advance medical directives. A living will is a key document that will help to ensure that your wishes for health care are followed even if you are not able to give input. Even if you have a living will, it is strongly recommended… Read More »
Debunking Seven Estate Planning Myths in Florida
You need an estate plan. Without one, you, your family, and your finances could be left vulnerable to a wide range of different risks. There are many misconceptions about estate planning. At Fisher & Wilsey, P.A., we want to make sure that Florida families have the knowledge that they need. Here, our St. Petersburg… Read More »
Special Needs Planning: What is an ABLE Account?
Do you have a loved one with special needs and/or a disability that interferes with their life? If so, you may be considering making special arrangements for them as part of your estate plan. An ABLE account (Achieving a Better Life Experience) is a unique, tax-advantaged option that can help to provide them with… Read More »
What to Know About Long-Term Care Planning in Florida and Medicaid Eligibility
The cost of nursing home care is extreme. In Florida, a year in a nursing home can run well over $100,000 (Florida Health Care Association). Medicaid can help to provide financial support, but there are strict eligibility requirements. Without proper planning, you or your loved one could be forced to spend down savings far… Read More »
Can Deathbed Will Changes Be Made in Florida?
A last will and testament is a core estate planning document. Many people revise their will over the course of their lifetime. You may be wondering: Are deathbed changes to a will binding in Florida? The short answer is “it depends.” These revisions can be valid, but they must be done in writing by… Read More »
Three Tips for Talking to Your Family About Estate Planning
Estate planning can be a difficult thing to think about. For many people, it is a conversation with their family that they are dreading. You may recognize that it is important, but you may be uncomfortable raising the issue. It is a common problem. At Fisher & Wilsey, P.A., we are strong, experienced estate… Read More »
Do I Need to Declare My Old Will Null and Void When Writing a New One?
A survey from Gallup found that fewer than half of American adults have a valid will. That may understate the estate planning gap. Some people who do have a will have a document that is seriously out of date. If you are ready to revise your will, you may be wondering: How do I… Read More »
Four Considerations to Help You Choose the Executor of Your Will in Florida
A will is a foundational estate planning document. As part of will, you must name an executor. Broadly defined, an executor is a person (or institution) appointed in order to carry out the terms of their will. You need to select the right executor. Here, our St. Petersburg estate planning attorney discusses four of… Read More »
