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?
What does it cost to have a Palm Beach estate plan prepared for me by an estate planning lawyer? How expensive is it to get a trust or a will written? Pankauski Hauser limits its practice to disputes, trials, and appeals involving Florida wills, trusts, estates, probates, and guardianships. Therefore, we don’t draft estate plans and we don’t write wills or trusts. However,a lot of people call us and ask how much they should pay to have an estate planning lawyer draft a Florida trust or Palm Beach estate plan for them.
On October 2, 2017, Tom Petty died in California. This rock star and musician will be missed by many fans. Who will inherit Petty’s wealth? How much was the popular rocker worth? After learning of this death, it is hard not to wonder where his fortune is headed. Did he die with a trust or will? What does this mean for his family?
On September 27, 2017, Hugh Hefner died of natural causes. He is best known for his role as the founder of Playboy Magazine. Who will inherit Hefner’s wealth? How much was the popular businessman worth? After learning of this death, it is hard not to wonder where his fortune is headed. The media has suggested that he has died with a will. What does this mean for his family?
Do you believe that your family law or trial attorneys committed malpractice? Have you suffered damages because you relied on an attorney’s bad advice? Did your divorce lawyer advise you incorrectly regarding a marital settlement agreement? What should your West Palm Beach litigator know about malpractice lawsuits? Did your Florida trial lawyers act negligently when representing you in a divorce or custody battle? You may want to read an August 24,2017 Fourth DCA opinion, Miller v. Finizio.
Pankauski Hauser, our boutique trust and estates litigation firm, recently moved to a new building located at 415 S. Olive Avenue. The new location is just a few blocks from Downtown West Palm Beach and the Main Probate Court.
Allison Sabocik, Esq. of Pankauski Hauser has been asked by the Elder Law Affairs Committee of the Palm Beach Bar Association to present the Florida legislative and case law update at the 20th Annual Elder Law Seminar. The seminar will be held on Thursday, November 9,2017 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. at Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal.
How does dementia affect probate litigation in Florida? Why is it so important for people to have a proper West Palm Beach estate plan in place? How can an estate plan help me when I am still living? What do probate and guardianship lawyers need to know about dementia? How can dementia affect wills and trusts? How can a proper estate plan help people with dementia? Probate litigators in Palm Beach frequently handle will contests and trust disputes involving dementia or Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, estate lawyers encounter situations where family members, caretakers, and/or friends have taken advantage of a loved one with dementia. For example, a daughter may encourage her mother, who has dementia, to change her estate plan so that her mom’s entire Florida estate is left to her. Sometimes, people with dementia are unduly influenced to write wills and trusts.
Probate and guardianship lawyers know that financial exploitation of the elderly is, unfortunately, happening throughout South Florida. There are both civil and criminal remedies for Financial Exploitation in Florida. Financial Exploitation is taken very seriously. It is important to be aware of financial exploitation so that it doesn’t happen to you, or a loved one who may be suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Many times, the elderly are exploited by someone who is close to them and that they trust. That person may have a fiduciary duty with the victim or even be a family member. What is a fiduciary duty? Does a probate lawyer have a fiduciary duty to his client? You may want to read about a Las Vegas lawyer who may have financially exploited his clients.
How do guardianship lawyers in Florida get paid? How does a probate judge determine whether the fees requested by a guardianship attorney are reasonable or not? What happens if the probate judge deems requested attorneys fees unreasonable? What is Florida Statute 744.108? Are there certain criteria that a guardianship court must consider when awarding fees for Palm Beach guardians or lawyers?You may want to check out this May 10,2017 Fourth District Court of Appeal ( DCA) opinion, Meyer v. Watras, regarding Florida guardianships and attorneys fees.