On November 22, 2017, CNN reported that David Cassidy had passed away after being admitted to a hospital in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. It is said that the 67 year old was suffering from organ failure and dementia before his death. Cassidy is best known for his role as a “70’s teen heartthrob” on the renowned show “The Partridge Family”.  He left behind two children and other family members, including siblings. Who will inherit from his Florida estate? Who will inherit Cassidy’s waterfront property? Did Cassidy have a Florida trust or will? Which probate law firm will the beneficiaries of Cassidy’s estate hire? These are all questions with answers that still remain unknown.

How does dementia affect probate litigation in Florida? Why is it so important for people to have a will or trust drafted by an estate planning lawyer? How can an estate plan help me when I am still living? What do trust and guardianship lawyers need to know about dementia? How can dementia affect an estate? How can a proper estate plan help people with dementia?

On November 18, 2017, The New York Times reported that Rockstar Malcolm Young had passed away. He was best known for his role in the famous band, AC/DC. He was only 64 years old when he passed away. Did he have a will or a proper estate plan in place? Which probate law firm will handle the probate process for his estate?

As of January 1, 2017, all Florida lawyers are required to obtain a total of 33 minimum credit hours per three-year cycle. Three of those hours must satisfy the new technology requirement.

Recently, the law has changed creating inheritance rights for same-sex couples. Now, same sex couples can marry, and Florida recognizes gay marriages in other states as valid marriages. If you are a same sex couple who is married, you now have many inheritance rights that you did not have a few years ago. Many times, people do not have a will when they pass away, or they have a prior will that leaves the Florida estate to someone else. Now, if you are validly married, you inherit as the surviving spouse and are entitled to an elective share.

What is tortious interference? What is tortious interference with an expectancy? What if someone has “messed” with my Florida trust? What if my evil step-parent has amended an Orlando trust to disinherit me? Can I file a petition against the wrongdoer for tortious interference with an expectancy? How can a probate lawyer help me to successfully win a trial on tortious interference with an expectancy in Orlando or West Palm Beach?

As of January 1, 2017, all Florida lawyers are required to obtain a total of 33 minimum credit hours per three-year cycle. Three of those hours must satisfy the new technology requirement.

Pankauski Hauser is offering Continuing Legal Education (CLE) webinars, which are approved by the Florida Bar. With a focus on legal malpractice, Florida probate matters, cases, settlement agreements, and the role of ethical rules surrounding an estates and trust practice, these webinars are structured to provide Florida bar members with not only CLE credits, but also the advice of a seasoned AV Preeminent rated attorney – in fact, all of the webinars feature John Pankauski, managing partner at Pankauski Hauser.

According to the 4th DCA in today’s McCoy v. RJ Reynolds case, the strict e-mail service requirements of Rule 2.516 do not apply to the service of a proposal for settlement.  Instead, the transmission of the proposals via certified mail was sufficient.  The Court’s reasoning is that a PFS is not initially “filed” and therefore need not comply with the Rule 2.516(b)(1).  As a result, the appellee tobacco companies had to pay attorneys’ fees as a sanction for failing to accept a PFS under section 768.79 from a plaintiff.     

What are three secrets that probate litigators want you to know about the elective share in Orlando? What is the elective share? If my husband or wife dies in Orlando, do I inherit his or her estate? Elective share in Florida, unless it’s waived, is an inviolate right. It doesn’t matter what is in your deceased spouse’s Florida will. Therefore, if you are a surviving spouse, don’t sleep on your inheritance rights!