As we all know, golf legend, Arnold Palmer, died last year on September 25,2016. According to a May 31,2017 Golf Week article, he earned $875 million during his life as both a successful business man and golfer. In fact, he apparently made $42 million in 2015 alone. The article reveals that he did have a will. Who will inherit from his massive estate?
Midland Daily News reported on June 1, 2017 that the Midland County Probate Court has officially hired their youngest, cutest employee yet- an eight week old Labrador puppy! The puppy, Clyde, has officially started his training as a therapy dog in the probate and family court. He will live with one of the judges, Judge Dorene S. Allen.
What does adoption have to do with Florida probate litigation? How can an adoption affect the beneficiaries of a Florida trust? Can an adoption be deemed a sham if it dilutes a beneficiaries’ potential for receiving distributions from a Palm Beach trust? What do Florida trust lawyers need to know about adoption? If you are involved in a trust matter involving a person who was adopted, you may want to read a March 31, 2017 First District Court of Appeal( DCA) opinion, Edwards v. Maxwell.
On May 18, 2017, The New York Times reported that Rockstar Chris Cornell had passed away. He was best known for his lead role in the famous band, Soundgarden. He was only 52 years old when he passed away unexpectedly from a suspected suicide. Did he have a will or a proper estate plan in place? Which probate litigation law firm will handle the probate process for his estate?
The New York Times reported on May 18, 2017 that Chris Cornell, best known as the lead rocker in Soundgarden, had passed away. The article states that it is believed that the Rockstar committed suicide by hanging himself. He was only 52 years old at the time of his death. Did he have a will?
Five questions to ask if you’re hiring a Florida estate lawyer. If you just lost a loved one in Florida and were appointed the personal representative, or the executive, under the Florida will, Florida law says that you need a lawyer. Your estate lawyer will help you to run the estate. If you are thinking about hiring a Florida probate lawyer, here are five questions you need to ask them.
It is shocking what some people will do for money. As John Pankauski states in Pankauski’s Probate Litigation Guide: Top 10 Probate Mistakes Revealed, “your family is going to fight over your wealth: when you’re gone and – perhaps – while you’re still alive.” On May 3, 2017, the Daily News reported about a man who murdered his boyfriend. Did his boyfriend have a proper estate plan in place? Did he even inherit under the boyfriend’s will? Does he still inherit now that he has been found guilty of murder?
According to a May 9, 2017 Fox News article, Abby Lee Miller, the star of Lifetime’s popular show ‘Dance Moms’, has been sentenced to one year in prison for committing fraud. She was specifically sentenced for committing bankruptcy fraud. Although this case is not about probate fraud and trust litigation in Florida, it demonstrates just how greedy and out-of-character some people can get when it comes to money. Probate litigators, unfortunately, frequently witness fraud in many forms.
In Florida, can a murderer inherit from his or her murder victim? What is Florida’s Slayer Statute? What does it have to do with Florida probate litigation? If I murder my spouse, can I still inherit from him or her? If I murder my girlfriend in Palm Beach, will I inherit her millions of dollars? What do Florida inheritance laws have to do with murder?
If you just lost a parent in Florida, you may need an estate lawyer to help get you your inheritance. What should I consider when looking for a lawyer? What should I ask the probate attorney while interviewing him or her?