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Ancillary probate is necessary when a non-Florida resident passes away and dies owning real property (i.e., land) in Florida. The representatives of the estate must initiate a probate proceeding in each state where the decedent owned property since each state has its own set of property laws.

When someone passes away in Florida without a will, their assets and property is distributed by the court according to Florida's intestate laws. These laws will determine who gets what of your assets and/or property. However, dying without a will can cause a myriad of burdens for the decedent’s family.

A Lady Bird deed is designated to allow property owners in Florida to transfer property to others automatically upon their death while maintaining use, control and ownership while alive. With a Lady Bird deed, a person takes an enhanced “life estate” interest in real property while transferring the “remainder” interest to someone else after they pass away.

A Joint Will for married couples are alternatives to setting up individual wills. If you're trying to create your estate plan and are considering a joint will, consult with an estate planning attorney first. Joint wills can provide married couples with a convenient and straightforward way to manage their assets. However, joint wills also come with potential risks and limitations that couples should carefully consider.

Real estate transactions are crucial for any of the parties involved, whether the buyer is going to live on the property, operate a business from it or further develop it. Having an escrow service is a necessary tool during the process of buying a home in Florida.

Despite their similar names, last wills and living wills are legal documents that serve different purposes. Last wills and living wills should be considered by everyone. Creating them when you are healthy allows you to consider your options carefully without immediate health concerns weighing on you.

In Florida there are two types of title insurance: lender’s title insurance and owner’s title insurance. Lender’s insurance protects your mortgage lender’s interest in their mortgage lien on your property. Owner’s title insurance protects your interests as a homeowner.

Estate planning is the process of designating who will receive your assets in the event of your death or incapacitation. This process is often done with the help of an estate planning attorney.

A Power of Attorney (“POA”) is a legal document that gives someone else authority to make decisions or take action on your behalf. You must be at least 18 years, of sound mind and have witnesses to create a Florida power of attorney.

A Will is a formal written direction controlling the disposition of property at death. After creating a Will, there are formal requirements you must follow to change or modify your Will. A Will’s terms cannot be changed by simply writing something or crossing something out after the Will is executed.

Many people unknowingly make costly mistakes during the estate planning process. It is crucial to understand the potential risks and pitfalls in order to avoid these errors. Below are 5 common mistakes that you should avoid with your estate plan.

Florida and federal law gives every competent adult, 18 years or older, the right to make their own healthcare decisions, including the right to decide what medical care or treatment to accept, reject, or discontinue. If you do not want to receive certain types of treatment or you wish to name someone to make those health care decisions for you, you have the right to make those desires known to your doctor, health care provider, and the hospital.

When a loved one dies who lived in or owned property in Florida, the timeline for settling their financial and legal affairs can be measured in weeks, months, or years. Depending on the size and complexity of the estate, probate in Florida takes anywhere from one month to 18 months or more.

In planning your estate, more important than minimizing probate is minimizing the real issues that can make probate difficult, such as lawsuits by heirs. Many states have simplified or streamlined their probate processes over the years. However, Florida is a state that requires you to use an attorney for a probate proceeding.

Estate planning is a process involving the counsel of professional advisors who are familiar with your goals and concerns, your assets and how they are owned, and your family structure. Estate Planning covers the transfer of property at death as well as a variety of other personal matters and may or may not involve tax planning.

Foreclosure is the period after you fall behind in payments, but before foreclosure can officially start the process is called the “pre-foreclosure” stage. During this time, the servicer can charge you various fees like late charges and inspection fees. Foreclosure cannot start until you are more than 120 days past due

All migrants interested in working in the U.S. need either a work permit or a work visa. A visa is a document issued by a country's embassy or consulate giving a visitor permission to enter, transit or leave that country for a specific purpose and period.

The Family Reunification Parole Processes promote family unity, and are part of the comprehensive measures announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education,business or athletics, or who demonstrated a record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.

U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is exempting the biometric services fee for Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Starting October 1st, 2023, USCIS is exempting the $85.00 biometric service fee as part of the application process for Form I-539.