WP_Query Object
(
[query] => Array
(
[category_name] => estate-planning
)
[query_vars] => Array
(
[category_name] => estate-planning
[error] =>
[m] =>
[p] => 0
[post_parent] =>
[subpost] =>
[subpost_id] =>
[attachment] =>
[attachment_id] => 0
[name] =>
[pagename] =>
[page_id] => 0
[second] =>
[minute] =>
[hour] =>
[day] => 0
[monthnum] => 0
[year] => 0
[w] => 0
[tag] =>
[cat] => 18
[tag_id] =>
[author] =>
[author_name] =>
[feed] =>
[tb] =>
[paged] => 0
[meta_key] =>
[meta_value] =>
[preview] =>
[s] =>
[sentence] =>
[title] =>
[fields] =>
[menu_order] =>
[embed] =>
[category__in] => Array
(
)
[category__not_in] => Array
(
)
[category__and] => Array
(
)
[post__in] => Array
(
)
[post__not_in] => Array
(
)
[post_name__in] => Array
(
)
[tag__in] => Array
(
)
[tag__not_in] => Array
(
)
[tag__and] => Array
(
)
[tag_slug__in] => Array
(
)
[tag_slug__and] => Array
(
)
[post_parent__in] => Array
(
)
[post_parent__not_in] => Array
(
)
[author__in] => Array
(
)
[author__not_in] => Array
(
)
[ignore_sticky_posts] =>
[suppress_filters] =>
[cache_results] => 1
[update_post_term_cache] => 1
[update_menu_item_cache] =>
[lazy_load_term_meta] => 1
[update_post_meta_cache] => 1
[post_type] =>
[posts_per_page] => 6
[nopaging] =>
[comments_per_page] => 50
[no_found_rows] =>
[order] => DESC
)
[tax_query] => WP_Tax_Query Object
(
[queries] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[taxonomy] => category
[terms] => Array
(
[0] => estate-planning
)
[field] => slug
[operator] => IN
[include_children] => 1
)
)
[relation] => AND
[table_aliases:protected] => Array
(
[0] => wp_term_relationships
)
[queried_terms] => Array
(
[category] => Array
(
[terms] => Array
(
[0] => estate-planning
)
[field] => slug
)
)
[primary_table] => wp_posts
[primary_id_column] => ID
)
[meta_query] => WP_Meta_Query Object
(
[queries] => Array
(
)
[relation] =>
[meta_table] =>
[meta_id_column] =>
[primary_table] =>
[primary_id_column] =>
[table_aliases:protected] => Array
(
)
[clauses:protected] => Array
(
)
[has_or_relation:protected] =>
)
[date_query] =>
[queried_object] => WP_Term Object
(
[term_id] => 18
[name] => Estate Planning
[slug] => estate-planning
[term_group] => 0
[term_taxonomy_id] => 18
[taxonomy] => category
[description] =>
[parent] => 0
[count] => 10
[filter] => raw
[cat_ID] => 18
[category_count] => 10
[category_description] =>
[cat_name] => Estate Planning
[category_nicename] => estate-planning
[category_parent] => 0
)
[queried_object_id] => 18
[request] =>
SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS wp_posts.ID
FROM wp_posts LEFT JOIN wp_term_relationships ON (wp_posts.ID = wp_term_relationships.object_id)
WHERE 1=1 AND (
wp_term_relationships.term_taxonomy_id IN (18)
) AND ((wp_posts.post_type = 'post' AND (wp_posts.post_status = 'publish' OR wp_posts.post_status = 'acf-disabled')))
GROUP BY wp_posts.ID
ORDER BY wp_posts.post_date DESC
LIMIT 0, 6
[posts] => Array
(
[0] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 4794
[post_author] => 6
[post_date] => 2022-07-11 13:38:42
[post_date_gmt] => 2022-07-11 18:38:42
[post_content] => Things will change in the future for your family if you are either in declining health or the worst happens. Your family needs to be taken care of in terms of finances and when making decisions on your behalf. An estate plan is both a plan for your property and a set of powers and instructions for your family to care for you and act in your stead when you can no longer make your own decisions.
Estate Planning Will Take Care of Your Family Financially
Everyone associates a will with an estate plan. While a will may be a part of your estate plan, it should not be the only part. Your estate plan may be a combination of measures to transfer your property to your heirs. In this regard, there are several ways to hand your property down to your heirs, including:
- Accounts with beneficiaries that are transferred to your loved one on death, such as retirement and investment accounts
- Trusts for various purposes that can both protect your assets when you need long-term care and can help (both revocable and irrevocable)
- A will that states your wishes for the disposition of your property to your heirs
Some families may opt for a combination of these measures, but the important thing is to have something in place. Otherwise, your assets can be at risk if you need extensive medical care towards the end of your life. Your estate may get stuck in the probate process, and you will lose control over who gets what. An estate plan helps you avoid all of these situations. You can transfer property out of your name and into the trust, ensuring that a trustee with a fiduciary obligation manages your money. You can also put your wishes down on paper in a binding document (assuming that the will is valid) for the property you worked hard for over your lifetime. You likely have plans for how you want to take care of loved ones and perhaps a charity that is important to you. If you do not have instructions for your property, the court may decide the matter.
Estate Planning Helps Your Family Make Decisions When You Cannot
Estate plans cover more than assets and property. While the word “estate” implies the transfer of your property, there is more that you need to consider as part of the plan. As your situation changes in life, you may have more difficulty making decisions on your own. Seniors often have trouble managing their finances and are more vulnerable to financial fraud. As their capacity declines, they make more questionable financial decisions that can put their assets (and loved ones’ inheritance at risk). Seniors may need someone to make financial decisions on their behalf.
At the same time, you might not make your own medical decisions. Some people can come to a point where they lack the capacity to understand what the doctor is saying and make the decisions that they want. You may need a family member to work with the doctor and make the decisions you normally would.
Concerning finances and healthcare, an estate plan will give someone power of attorney to make these decisions for you. This way, one person can act when the time comes. They will fill in as your agent.
Estate planning may also include the following:
- Your wishes for who will raise your children and how they are to be raised if you are no longer here
- Advance healthcare directives that will tell doctors the extent of the end-of-life care that you want
- HIPAA authorizations for certain loved ones to receive medical information about you from a doctor
The alternative to not having an estate plan is your family having to go through difficult guardianship or probate proceedings when your wishes are not down on paper. The estate plan is a series of legally binding documents that locks in your wishes and provides guidance to your family and your assets for them. An estate planning attorney will sit down with you and help you work through the various scenarios and how best to care for your family.
Call a Coral Springs Estate Planning Attorney
For more information on estate planning and what you may need, you should reach out to a Coral Springs
estate planning lawyer at Rosenberg Law Firm. We will learn your priorities, discuss an estate plan with you, and help you execute the necessary documents. Call us today or message us online to schedule an appointment.
[post_title] => What Is Estate Planning? A Coral Springs Estate Planning Lawyer Has the Answers
[post_excerpt] => Do you live in Weston and are in need of an estate plan? Our Weston Estate Planning Attorney is ready to serve all your estate, will, trust and probate needs
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => what-is-estate-planning
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2022-07-11 13:38:42
[post_modified_gmt] => 2022-07-11 18:38:42
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://www.rosenberglawfirm.net/?p=4794
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[1] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 4790
[post_author] => 6
[post_date] => 2022-07-01 12:09:15
[post_date_gmt] => 2022-07-01 17:09:15
[post_content] => Creating an estate plan is a sure-fire way of ensuring that your wishes are followed in the event of your incapacitation or death. The idea of an estate plan is to tie up all loose ends in your financial affairs so that your dependents' peace of mind is well taken care of after you are gone. Learn more now 4 important estate planning documents you should be aware of.
What Is Estate Planning?
Your estate is the sum of what you own, including your investments, bank accounts, real estate, cars and collectibles. After your death, all your property is supposed to be distributed according to your wishes. That's where an estate plan comes in.
Estate planning is designating who will receive and manage your estate when you die or handle your responsibilities after your incapacitation. Basically, it's making how you'd want your estate to be handled known. To help you with that, we'll cover four important
estate planning documents you should know about when creating your estate plan.
Are Estate Plans Only for The Very Wealthy?
While estate plans were previously regarded as something for high-net-worth individuals, everyone can do an estate plan today. Your financial status notwithstanding, you can do estate planning.
What Documents Do You Need to Create an Estate Plan?
To create an estate plan, you'll need four types of estate documents. Let's break the documents down:
1. Will
A will is a legal document that expresses your last wishes regarding property distribution after your death. After you're gone, a will ensures that the people and causes you care about are taken care of.
When drawing up your will, you specify who gets to inherit your physical and intangible assets. Besides allowing you to lay out who you want to give your assets to, you can choose an executor to oversee and carry out the wishes in your will. If you have children or pets, you can appoint guardians for them in your will.
2. Trust
This legal document dictates how assets in a trust are to be distributed. The parties in a living trust are; a grantor, a trustee and a beneficiary.
A revocable living trust owns the assets you've put into it while still allowing you to make changes. The trust allows you to retain the use and control of any assets you've transferred into the trust during your lifetime.
To establish a revocable living trust, you'll name a successor trustee and then transfer your property to the trust. The successor trustee will manage the trust for your beneficiaries, do the necessary estate tax filings and finally transfer assets to your beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust. If you're looking to avoid the lengthy and costly probate process, a revocable living trust is a good option for you.
3. Power of Attorney (POA)
A power of attorney is a legal document that gives another person (your agent) the power to act on your behalf when you're not able to do so yourself.
A power of attorney document grants your agent the power to act on your behalf in financial, legal and medical decisions when you can't make decisions for yourself or in the event of death. Financial and medical powers of attorney are two different legal documents.
- Healthcare Power of Attorney (Or Also Called Healthcare Surrogate)
A healthcare power of attorney is your proxy for healthcare matters. This document specifies who is to make medical decisions for you if you're incapacitated and can no longer make decisions for yourself. Be sure to include a privacy consent form that gives the person access to your medical records to enable them to make informed decisions.
- Financial Power of Attorney
The document designates a financial agent that will execute financial decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. A financial power of attorney gives out legal authority to a nominee to manage property and finances, manage investment and meet financial obligations on your behalf.
4. Advance Healthcare Directive (AHCD) Or Called “Living Will”
An advanced healthcare directive document allows you to determine your future medical care and make requests regarding your end-of-life care.
A medical directive lets you outline the care you wish to receive if you're diagnosed with a terminal condition and cannot make decisions yourself. The document states what medical actions, treatments and life-saving measures should or shouldn't be taken when you're incapacitated and can't advocate for yourself.
Which Documents Do You Need to Begin Creating an Estate Plan?
To kick start the process of creating an
estate plan, you'll need to gather the following documents for a smooth process:
- Copies of your retirement plan documents.
- The deed to your house and property.
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements.
- Business agreements.
- Insurance plans documents.
- Your family and primary physician's contacts.
- Divorce agreements and settlements.
- Your previous important estate planning documents, if any.
- Your recent financial, investment and bank account statements.
Working with an experienced
estate planning attorney will tie up all loose ends in your financial affairs and safeguard your hard-earned assets and investments, so you don't have to worry about the financial security of your beneficiaries.
Are you looking forward to launching your estate planning in Florida? The Law Offices of Andrew G. Rosenberg, P.A. exists to help you go through the process seamlessly and leave a solid legacy for your beneficiaries.
[post_title] => Estate Planning: 4 Important Estate Planning Documents You Should Know About
[post_excerpt] => Do you live in Weston and are in need of an estate plan? Our Weston Estate Planning Attorney is ready to serve all your estate, will, trust and probate needs
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => 4-important-estate-planning-documents
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2022-07-01 12:09:15
[post_modified_gmt] => 2022-07-01 17:09:15
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://www.rosenberglawfirm.net/?p=4790
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[2] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 4683
[post_author] => 6
[post_date] => 2022-06-19 09:58:56
[post_date_gmt] => 2022-06-19 14:58:56
[post_content] =>
Estate planning is crucial, no matter the size of your estate. While not the most interesting thing to do, especially since it gets you thinking about your death or potential incapacitation, it's always safe to get your affairs in order, should the unfortunate happen. If you are a Sunshine State resident wondering where to start, we have shared our estate planning checklist to help you understand the process basics.
Ideally, estate planning is the process of documenting your assets and wishes regarding those assets and their distribution upon your death, or their management in the event of your incapacitation. In so doing, you protect your beneficiaries' future should you depart too early. At the same time, planning your estate saves your heirs from paying hefty probate fees or estate taxes or avoiding conflicts over the inheritance.
Not forgetting, you also get to benefit, especially if you get incapacitated or require end-of-life care and are not in a position to make the decisions about your health. In this case, your medical directive saves your loved ones from the stress of making difficult decisions concerning your health.
Generally, planning your estate involves auditing your assets and designating beneficiaries, then drafting essential legal documents to capture the information. Before we look at the documents you need to create as part of your estate plan, let's first break down the process.
Estate Planning Checklist: Essential Steps
- Consult an estate planning expert for guidance (estate planning attorney, financial advisor, tax advisor, etc.)
- Identify your goals, e.g., providing for your family in your absence, protecting your estate from probate and taxes, guaranteeing smooth management of your affairs in case of incapacitation, planning for end-of-life care, etc.
- Take inventory of your assets and liabilities, e.g., bank accounts, insurance policies, stocks, mutual funds, retirement accounts, real estate, vehicles, collectibles, financial obligations (loans), etc.
- Decide how you want the assets distributed
- Identify beneficiaries, guardians, trustees, etc.
- Establish legal directives (create documents)
- Perform regular updates to capture changes such as a new child, marital status changes, regulation amendments, etc.
A Checklist of Important Estate Planning Legal Documents
Once you complete the initial estate planning steps, you need to get on to your next checklist, which is creating the necessary documents to capture your wishes. Preparing most of these legal documents may require the help of an estate planning attorney. However, if you only have a few assets that wouldn't justify incurring the expense of professional services, you could benefit from estate planning tools available online. For instance, you can get simple will or power of attorney templates online and complete them easily.
Otherwise, let's go through the essential documents you need to plan your estate.
Last Will
A will is a legal document that stipulates how your assets should be distributed after you die. Essentially, everyone should have a will regardless of the size of their estate. Among other things, the document should identify the heirs, appoint a guardian (in case of minor children), and name the executor.
Note that a will must go through a court process (
probate) for the executor to be authorized to distribute the assets.
Power of Attorney
It's also important to grant someone you trust power of attorney to manage your affairs should you be incapable of doing so. For instance, if you get incapacitated and unable to communicate your wishes, someone with a power of attorney can oversee your affairs until you get better.
There are different powers of attorney, hence you should create the one that best fits your interests. For instance, if you plan to have someone run your affairs in case of incapacity, , you may need to create a durable power of attorney.
Another option may include creating a limited power of attorney whereby you appoint someone to perform specific roles in your absence.
Healthcare Proxy (Medical Directive)
A medical directive appoints a representative to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated and unable to communicate your wishes. It's a type of power of attorney but only limited to medical decisions.
Living Will
Instead of creating a healthcare proxy and leaving your medical decisions in the hands of someone else, you can opt to make the directives yourself then appoint someone to execute them. This is referred to as a living will and is often created to cater to end-of-life care wishes.
Living Trust
Trust involves making a legal arrangement whereby you pass the management of your assets to a trustee to manage them on behalf of beneficiaries. With a living trust, you can continue to manage the assets while you're alive then appoint a successor trustee to take over if you die.
Mainly, there are two basic types of
trusts – revocable and irrevocable. Under the revocable trust, you retain control of the assets and can change the terms of the agreement at any time. But with the irrevocable trust, the assets cease to be a part of your estate upon transfer. Hence, you cannot make changes without the consent of the beneficiaries.
If your estate planning goal is to safeguard your estate from hefty taxes upon your death, then setting an irrevocable trust helps with this. Again, transferring the assets to the trust (revocable and irrevocable) helps avoid probate, enabling your beneficiaries to receive their inheritance much easier and faster.
Conclusion
Estate planning is a vital process, no matter your age or the size of your estate. With a comprehensive estate plan that captures all your assets and financial obligations, plus clear directives about their management or distribution, you can go about your life with peace of mind, knowing your loved ones are protected should something happen.
If you didn't know where to start planning your estate, we hope this checklist has equipped you with the basics you need to commence the process.
Contact us right away to discuss your personal estate planning needs.
[post_title] => Florida Estate Planning Checklist: Understanding the Basics
[post_excerpt] => Did you know Florida is the most dangerous state in the nation for pedestrians? Injury & accident attorney Andrew Rosenberg shares pedestrian risks and rights.
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => estate-planning-checklist
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2022-06-19 09:58:56
[post_modified_gmt] => 2022-06-19 14:58:56
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://rlf.flywheelstaging.com/?p=4683
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[3] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 2993
[post_author] => 6
[post_date] => 2021-09-20 00:00:00
[post_date_gmt] => 2021-09-20 00:00:00
[post_content] =>
Weston Estate Planning Attorney: 6 Reasons to get your Estate Plan in Order Now
Recent times have shown us more than ever the importance of having a
Will, Trust and Estate Plan put together. Nobody wants to think about leaving behind their loved ones, so there is often a hesitation to
establish an estate plan because it forces us to face a reality we don’t like.
The incredible gift of an estate plan, however, is not only the peace of mind it can bring you but also the peace it can bring to your surviving family and loved ones. When you create an estate plan yourself, you can be confident about getting your affairs in order the way you’d like, and you can alleviate so much stress and strife for your family and loved ones after your death.
1. Putting your Estate Plan Together can Help your Loved ones Grieve
Thoughtfully
putting a Florida estate plan together allows your family the opportunity to grieve and spend more time together, as they won’t need to spend so much time figuring out what to do with your estate, home, assets, etc.
While it’s not a pleasant thought, putting your estate plan together can eliminate any bickering among relatives and it can also help ensure the people you want to get certain assets do, and perhaps certain people you do not want to get certain assets don’t.
2. Everyone Loses with Probate: Don’t Leave Your Estate Up for Grabs
If someone dies without an estate plan in Florida, it is known as “dying intestate.” If someone dies “intestate,” everything in their estate is subject to probate.
Probate is a court-supervised process which identifies all assets of the person who died, pays off any and all outstanding debts, and then distributes any remaining assets to beneficiaries according to Florida state law and a judge’s discretion. The probate process can be long, grueling and expensive. Your family and loved ones could spend a large portion of their inheritance on court costs and attorneys fees alone.
An estate plan, however, can help use the law as a shield to protect your assets from probate. This can also help save your family from any additional heartache.
3. A Will Alone Doesn’t Protect Your Assets & Loved Ones from Probate
A
Florida will is often viewed as the “golden ticket,” when it comes to planning for the future and protecting and distributing our assets. A will on its own, however, guarantees there will be the Probate Process for your loved ones.
People often have the misconception that if their assets are below a certain level, a will can protect them from Probate, but that is not the case.
A will cannot protect your assets from Probate in Florida.
4. A Trust can Work to Protect Your Assets from Probate
There are a variety of different types of trusts, and the specific requirements vary from state to state.
Trusts can accomplish many estate planning goals, such as supplementing or replacing a will. A trust can manage a person’s property and protect it from creditors. Certain trusts can provide tax benefits and reduce tax liabilities. And, a trust may allow your estate to avoid the probate process.
A revocable living trust is a type of trust that can protect your assets and estate from the time consuming and expensive probate process in Florida if the assets are transferred into the trust before you die. This is a common way to get certain tax benefits and to protect property from creditors.
Not going through probate also allows the details of your estate plan to remain private. When an estate is probated, all the court files become a public document.
5. An Estate Plan Can Provide for your Children if a Tragedy Occurs
If you have children, there is no better time to get your Florida Estate Plan together than now.
Most of the time, when one parent dies or becomes disabled, the child’s other parent is entitled to custody. Sometimes, however, the other parent has already died or is unable to raise the children. In some traumatic cases, both parents die at the same time - such as when they’re involved in a
terrible car accident or some other type of accident together.
Even if you expect your spouse or your child’s other parent to be able to care for and raise them in the event that you die, you should still name a guardian for your child or children. As mentioned above, there is always the possibility that both parents could die or become disabled at the same time.
If you don’t name a guardian for your children, the court will appoint one for you - and it might not be the person or people you would want to raise your child. Technically, a court is not obligated to appoint the person you choose as a guardian, but the court typically agrees with the parents’ wishes unless there is evidence that the person named is unfit to raise a child.
When it comes to guardianship, there are two different types. One is the guardian of the estate, and the other is the guardian of the person. Guardian of the estate is in charge of any assets, funds, finances that are left to the child or children. A guardian of the person is a role in which the guardian assumes the role of the child’s parents. The guardian of the estate and guardian of the person can be the same person, or two different people.
We’ve been navigating the coronavirus pandemic for nearly 2 years now. In South Florida, unfortunately, COVID-19 cases and deaths have been hitting new records lately.
Whether COVID, or something else, the pandemic reminds us of the fragility of life. No one, however unfortunate to think about, is promised tomorrow. Even healthy people can get sick and not survive as expected.
The three MOST important estate planning documents to get in place, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic:
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Health Care Surrogate
- Living Will
- If you have children under 18, you’ll also need:
- A Will
- A Trust
Florida Estate Planning Attorney: Get Everything you Need in Order with Rosenberg Law Firm’s One-Stop Shop for All of Your Estate-Planning Needs
The Law Office of Andrew G. Rosenberg, P.A. understands how hard it is to lose a loved one, and we’ve seen how legal wrangling among surviving family members can make the entire experience even more painful - we want to help you and your loved ones avoid that.
Together, we will work to craft you a custom estate plan which will simplify the legal aspects of your death for your loved ones, so they can focus more on grieving together.
Our skilled Weston estate planning attorney handles a broad range of estate planning cases. We can help you with:
- Wills
- Guardianship
- Probate
- Revocable trusts
- Special needs trusts
- Durable powers of attorney
- Health care surrogates
- Living wills
- Living trusts
- Joint tenancy with rights of survivorship
- And much more.
To speak with an experienced
Weston estate planning lawyer please
contact us online or call our
Coral Springs office directly at
954.755.7803 to schedule your free consultation. We proudly serve Florida residents including all of Weston, Parkland, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County and all points in between.
[post_title] => Weston Estate Planning Attorney: 6 Reasons to get your Florida Estate Plan in Order Now
[post_excerpt] => Do you live in Weston and are in need of an estate plan? Our Weston Estate Planning Attorney is ready to serve all your estate, will, trust and probate needs
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => weston-estate-planning-attorney-florida-estate-plan-lawyer
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2021-09-20 00:00:00
[post_modified_gmt] => 2021-09-20 00:00:00
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => http://rlf.flywheelsites.com/weston%2destate%2dplanning%2dattorney%2dflorida%2destate%2dplan%2dlawyer/
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[4] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 2951
[post_author] => 6
[post_date] => 2020-12-28 00:00:00
[post_date_gmt] => 2020-12-28 00:00:00
[post_content] => Unfortunately, last April my mother, Francine Zelma Rosenberg, passed away. This article is not meant to make anyone feel sorry about the passing of my mother. In fact, my two sisters and I all say that it was a blessing that she passed quickly. This article is about coming to grips with the "circle of life" and mortality.
My mother had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (known as "COPD"). She may have stopped smoking thirty years earlier, but the damage was done to her body and it showed up as COPD. It reached a point over her last eighteen months that she needed to have oxygen 24 hours a day to breath.
Someone upstairs heard our thoughts and she passed sudden without much pain. The reason I say this article is about the "circle of life" is twofold. First, it made me realize that my sisters and I are now the oldest generation of my family....which means we are getting old!!! Second, it is making me realize I need to appreciate the time left that I do have with my soon to be 87 year old father, Gabriel Joseph Rosenberg. Recently, my father decided to come down to visit us from Indianapolis...yes that is where I am from! He came down for three reasons: (1) he was to attend a real estate conference in the Miami area; (2) he wanted to see his grandchildren; and (3) he was to go on a date with a woman from South Florida that he met on a dating site. Yes you heard me right......my soon to be 87 year old father flew here to go on a date!
At first I had a hard time with my dad "going on a date". Yet, after our visit together I realized how much he missed the companionship of my mother. He was wanting to be with another person for the conversation. I am still not "comfortable" with the idea of my father dating but, I realize I need to give him the space to let him do what he wants. I don't know if any of you are having these same issues with a parent. But, I have realized through this process that I will never forget my mother (nor will my father) and that I need to embrace him along his new journey as best I can!
Do You Need To Speak With A Florida Lawyer About Estate Planning?
If you need to speak with an
experienced estate planning lawyer please
contact us online or call our Coral Springs office directly at
954.755.7803 to schedule your free consultation. We proudly serve Florida residents including all of Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County and all points in between.
[post_title] => LOSING A PARENT
[post_excerpt] => Unfortunately, last April my mother, Francine Zelma Rosenberg, passed away. This article is not meant to make anyone feel sorry about the passing of my mother.
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => losing-a-parent
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2020-12-28 00:00:00
[post_modified_gmt] => 2020-12-28 00:00:00
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => http://rlf.flywheelsites.com/losing%2da%2dparent/
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[5] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 2969
[post_author] => 6
[post_date] => 2020-12-28 00:00:00
[post_date_gmt] => 2020-12-28 00:00:00
[post_content] => My anniversary was this past weekend. I cannot believe it, but my wife and I are married now for 27 years! I am getting old because that “sounds old”!
Anyways, the question becomes what can one do in this “new normal” for an anniversary? Guess what…my wife wanted to go out to a restaurant with my two children and I. There was a dilemma in that I was completely against going out and dining in an actual restaurant until a vaccine has been created.
What should I do? Tell my wife no way or acquiesce to my better half? It was a no brainer…I had to acquiesce to her wishes if I wanted to stay married!! So, I had some ground rules to my entire family if we were going to a restaurant with Covid-19 still around. The ground rules were as follows: (1) we had to eat on the earlier side so that the restaurant would not have as many people around; (2) we could not bring anyone else with us to dinner (i.e. my in-laws, etc.) and (3) we had to sit outside.
To my surprise, all three of my family members agreed to my demands! Needless to say, I was very anxious about doing this entire dinner event. Yet, once we got to the restaurant, I was able to calm down. We were put into a corner in the outside patio area not near anyone. The waiters were all wearing gloves and masks. The menus were given to us in a paper form and then discarded after we reviewed and made our order. There were no plates, silverware or glasses on the table when we first arrived.
Once we sat down, the waiters brought us the plates, silverware and glasses from a sanitized area of the kitchen. After a glass of wine (or two), I was actually able to relax and enjoy dinner with my family. It almost felt normal! Is this something that I would do on a regular basis moving forward? Probably not because I am paranoid! Would I do it again? Yes! The point is, we all have to find some middle ground that works for each of us to move forward in this “new normal”. I hope this helped some of my readers to move forward in some way…
Do You Need To Speak With A Florida Lawyer About Estate Planning?
If you need to speak with an
experienced estate planning lawyer please
contact us online or call our Coral Springs office directly at
954.755.7803 to schedule your free consultation. We proudly serve Florida residents including all of Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County and all points in between.
[post_title] => GOING OUT TO A RESTAURANT IN THE “NEW NORMAL” OF COVID-19
[post_excerpt] => Guess what, my wife wanted to go out to a restaurant with my two children and I. There was a dilemma in that I was completely against going out and dining in...
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => going-out-to-a-restaurant-in-the-new-normal-of-covid-19
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2020-12-28 00:00:00
[post_modified_gmt] => 2020-12-28 00:00:00
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => http://rlf.flywheelsites.com/going%2dout%2dto%2da%2drestaurant%2din%2dthe%2dnew%2dnormal%2dof%2dcovid%2d19/
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
)
[post_count] => 6
[current_post] => -1
[in_the_loop] =>
[post] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 4794
[post_author] => 6
[post_date] => 2022-07-11 13:38:42
[post_date_gmt] => 2022-07-11 18:38:42
[post_content] => Things will change in the future for your family if you are either in declining health or the worst happens. Your family needs to be taken care of in terms of finances and when making decisions on your behalf. An estate plan is both a plan for your property and a set of powers and instructions for your family to care for you and act in your stead when you can no longer make your own decisions.
Estate Planning Will Take Care of Your Family Financially
Everyone associates a will with an estate plan. While a will may be a part of your estate plan, it should not be the only part. Your estate plan may be a combination of measures to transfer your property to your heirs. In this regard, there are several ways to hand your property down to your heirs, including:
- Accounts with beneficiaries that are transferred to your loved one on death, such as retirement and investment accounts
- Trusts for various purposes that can both protect your assets when you need long-term care and can help (both revocable and irrevocable)
- A will that states your wishes for the disposition of your property to your heirs
Some families may opt for a combination of these measures, but the important thing is to have something in place. Otherwise, your assets can be at risk if you need extensive medical care towards the end of your life. Your estate may get stuck in the probate process, and you will lose control over who gets what. An estate plan helps you avoid all of these situations. You can transfer property out of your name and into the trust, ensuring that a trustee with a fiduciary obligation manages your money. You can also put your wishes down on paper in a binding document (assuming that the will is valid) for the property you worked hard for over your lifetime. You likely have plans for how you want to take care of loved ones and perhaps a charity that is important to you. If you do not have instructions for your property, the court may decide the matter.
Estate Planning Helps Your Family Make Decisions When You Cannot
Estate plans cover more than assets and property. While the word “estate” implies the transfer of your property, there is more that you need to consider as part of the plan. As your situation changes in life, you may have more difficulty making decisions on your own. Seniors often have trouble managing their finances and are more vulnerable to financial fraud. As their capacity declines, they make more questionable financial decisions that can put their assets (and loved ones’ inheritance at risk). Seniors may need someone to make financial decisions on their behalf.
At the same time, you might not make your own medical decisions. Some people can come to a point where they lack the capacity to understand what the doctor is saying and make the decisions that they want. You may need a family member to work with the doctor and make the decisions you normally would.
Concerning finances and healthcare, an estate plan will give someone power of attorney to make these decisions for you. This way, one person can act when the time comes. They will fill in as your agent.
Estate planning may also include the following:
- Your wishes for who will raise your children and how they are to be raised if you are no longer here
- Advance healthcare directives that will tell doctors the extent of the end-of-life care that you want
- HIPAA authorizations for certain loved ones to receive medical information about you from a doctor
The alternative to not having an estate plan is your family having to go through difficult guardianship or probate proceedings when your wishes are not down on paper. The estate plan is a series of legally binding documents that locks in your wishes and provides guidance to your family and your assets for them. An estate planning attorney will sit down with you and help you work through the various scenarios and how best to care for your family.
Call a Coral Springs Estate Planning Attorney
For more information on estate planning and what you may need, you should reach out to a Coral Springs
estate planning lawyer at Rosenberg Law Firm. We will learn your priorities, discuss an estate plan with you, and help you execute the necessary documents. Call us today or message us online to schedule an appointment.
[post_title] => What Is Estate Planning? A Coral Springs Estate Planning Lawyer Has the Answers
[post_excerpt] => Do you live in Weston and are in need of an estate plan? Our Weston Estate Planning Attorney is ready to serve all your estate, will, trust and probate needs
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => what-is-estate-planning
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2022-07-11 13:38:42
[post_modified_gmt] => 2022-07-11 18:38:42
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => https://www.rosenberglawfirm.net/?p=4794
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[comment_count] => 0
[current_comment] => -1
[found_posts] => 10
[max_num_pages] => 2
[max_num_comment_pages] => 0
[is_single] =>
[is_preview] =>
[is_page] =>
[is_archive] => 1
[is_date] =>
[is_year] =>
[is_month] =>
[is_day] =>
[is_time] =>
[is_author] =>
[is_category] => 1
[is_tag] =>
[is_tax] =>
[is_search] =>
[is_feed] =>
[is_comment_feed] =>
[is_trackback] =>
[is_home] =>
[is_privacy_policy] =>
[is_404] =>
[is_embed] =>
[is_paged] =>
[is_admin] =>
[is_attachment] =>
[is_singular] =>
[is_robots] =>
[is_favicon] =>
[is_posts_page] =>
[is_post_type_archive] =>
[query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 38c1058ddac50abda5e49c219d477d86
[query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] =>
[thumbnails_cached] =>
[allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] =>
[stopwords:WP_Query:private] =>
[compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array
(
[0] => query_vars_hash
[1] => query_vars_changed
)
[compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array
(
[0] => init_query_flags
[1] => parse_tax_query
)
)