Sign the wrong deed and you might hand your family a tax bill, a lawsuit, or a property transfer that falls apart in probate court. Lady Bird deeds prevent all of that — when they’re done correctly. What It Actually Does The formal name is an enhanced life estate deed. The owner keeps full control… Read more »
Florida homeowners have a powerful tool for passing property to their loved ones without the cost and delay of probate court. But without thoughtful planning, this tool can have devastating long-term consequences. Stephen Lacey, a Florida estate planning attorney, breaks down exactly how Lady Bird deeds work, why retained control sets them apart from traditional… Read more »
Key Takeaways Probate in Florida is a court-supervised process that typically takes 9 months to a year, costs roughly 3% of the estate in attorney’s fees alone, and is open to public challenges — all of which can be avoided with the right plan. A revocable living trust is the gold standard for avoiding probate,… Read more »
Most Florida families assume a will is enough. It isn’t. A will-based estate plan still goes through probate, a court-supervised process that takes nine months to a year, restricts access to funds for 45 to 60 days after death, and costs families roughly 3% of their total assets in attorney’s fees before court costs or… Read more »
Most families put off estate planning because it feels like a conversation about death. It’s not. It’s a conversation about control, over who gets what, under what conditions, and whether bad luck gets a vote. Why a Power of Attorney Isn’t Enough This is the mistake that shows up most often. A family member passes… Read more »
