Search Results: power of attorney

In Florida, guardianship cases have exploded.  Increasingly, more and more probate attorneys and trust and estate attorneys are dealing with guardianship matters.  Will a court “take away” important civil and human rights of a person who is alleged to be incapacitated?  Will a court appoint someone to manage the property of the person?  Or is there a valid power of attorney, health care directive or surrogate, or revocable trust (living trust) to manage the person’s finances?

Florida probate litigator John Pankauski will speak at and facilitate conferences on elder abuse and financial exploitation of the elderly at today’s 2013 Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys Elder Concert, held in Boca Raton, Florida at Florida Atlantic University. Pankauski’s law firm represents wards, guardians and family members who have been the victim of financial abuse.  His firm also handles a number of contested guardianship proceedings in Florida. Pankauski is expected to lead a discussion of topics to include mis-use of powers of attorney and trusts, lawsuits involving financial and economic wrongs and torts,and how family members may be involved in Florida guardianship proceedings when dealing with one’s property and personal rights.

Here’s the FIRST thing you MUST know about a Palm Beach Guardianship. Is it contested or not-contested? If it’s not-contested, probably any old guardianship lawyer will do. If it’s contested, that’s a different story. Consider finding an experienced guardianship litigation lawyer. Understanding Guardianship in 2 Easy Steps (sort of) How can you learn all about Florida guardianships quickly? First, read Florida Statutes Chapter 744, also called the Guardianship Code. These are the Florida Statutes which tell you about how a guardian is supposed to act, whether she is a fiduciary, how the legal process works and how to end a guardianship. It will also introduce you to new words and phrases. Like “incapacity”, “alleged incapacitated person”, “lesser restrictive alternatives”. And, it will tell you what to do if there is a power of attorney. Second, interview as many guardianship lawyers as you have time for. Look for those who SPECIALIZE in this area and are experts. How will you know if the Palm Beach Guardianship lawyer is an expert? You’ll know………………………….. Here is a list of questions which you may want to ask when you interview: Palm Beach Guardianship So, to learn more about Florida guardianship law, you can click on THIS LINK for free videos. No credit card, no “cookies” to accept or reject, and no personal data required. In the end, there are a LOT of lawyers in South Florida who say they “do” guardianship. Most are probably uncontested matters. If are “fighting” about whether someone is incapacitated […]

What’s the importance of trust protectors in Florida when many Floridians already have an estate plan? They have a POA, a living will, a will and a revocable trust. Where does a Trust Protector fit in? Understanding Basic Florida Estate Planning Documents Let’s start with a basic Florida estate plan: Trust Protectors Florida A trust protector is the creature of “hard thinking” trust lawyers. There’s no one definition for a trust protector. In the Florida Trust Code, the word “trust protector” is only used once. And not even defined. And, candidly, lawyers who “write” trusts have different takes on trust protectors and what they do or should do. Here’s a broad overview:

When must a lawsuit go to arbitration or stay in federal or state court? Take a close look at the arbitration provision in your document. Sometimes, only SOME claims go to arbitration. Consider a recent case which discusses this very issue. (To read more about whether you have to go to arbitration, click HERE.) Why Florida arbitration? What is arbitration and why is there an arbitration provision in my document? Think of arbitration as private judging. A forum for the resolution of a dispute. Instead of going to court, the parties to an arbitration agreement go to a private, non-public proceeding. Arbitration. Instead of a judge in a robe, you have arbitrators. Either one single arbitrator. Or a panel (e.g. 3 ) arbitrators. Instead of a judgment, you get an “award”. Arbitration can be had by the agreement of the parties. Often, there is an arbitration provision in documents like contracts. Or a power of attorney. If you sign the contract with such a provision, you are agreeing to at least some arbitration. Or, arbitration of at least some of the claims brought by you or another party to the contract. In Florida, there is a statute in the Florida Probate Code which acknowledges that you can have an arbitration provision in a will or a trust. See Fla. Stat. 731.401. To read more about Florida probate and trust litigators who have handled this issue, click here. Why only some? Because some arbitrations provisions may have a “carve out”. What’s […]

Learn the secrets of having your rights determined in a Florida probate, estate or trust.

Millions and billions of dollars pass through revocable trusts in Florida to beneficiaries, family members, in-laws and even outlaws. But many people mis-understand what a revocable trust is. This is your easy-2-understand guide. We have previously written about these estate planning documents, or entities (click HERE to read more). Now, let’s go a bit deeper. What is a Revocable Trust Florida? Background — why do I care? You need to know about revocable trusts for 2 main reasons. First, everyone in Florida has them ! (Mostly everyone !!). They work just like a will….sort of ! They are part of a Florida resident’s estate plan. They can work with a pourover will and also a power of attorney. Most of the time, someone has a will that leaves most everything to their revocable trust. Then, the revocable trust gathers assets and administers those assets according to the trust document. The trust document may, for example, distribute everything right then and there. Or, keep money in trust for years and years to come. (Some beneficiaries may never get a dime. And some may not see any money for decades unless you modify the trust. Want to modify a trust? Start by reading this law. ) What else do I need to know about what is a revocable trust Florida? What is a revocable trust ? Second, that’s how a lot of inheritances are left or created. Through one of these trusts. While most of the time a lawyer writes a trust. […]

What is undue influence? In Florida, people often “unduly influence” others to change a will or trust. That’s not proper. And not allowed. it’s actually fraud. A will or trust or bank account that is caused by this is not valid. Dis-inherited beneficiaries and loved ones can win back their inheritance if they prove the presence of undue influence. This concept is something that many beneficiaries and heirs want to know more about when it comes to a last minute will signing or inheritance. This Florida probate legal commentary will discuss what it is and the warning signs. To see an introductory, Free Probate Video on this topic, click HERE. What is Undue Influence in a Nutshell? Undue influence is a species of fraud. It has been described as over-pursuasion, force, coercion or duress. When someone does this, they, in essence, destroy the free will or free “mind” of the victim. And replace it with their own financial desires and motives. It is often said that a will or a trust document created by this force or coercion is NOT the product of the person signing the will or trust. But by the perpetrator. The fraudster. The “undue-influencer.” What is the effect of a will or a trust that is caused by undue influence? It is void. You can read Section 732.5165 of the Florida Probate Code. What are some situations that MAY be undue influence? Possible Examples “Sign the will or I’ll leave you!“ “Change the trust or you’ll […]

The rights of non-clients to sue your parents’ estate planning lawyer seem to be increasing. At least in Florida. A recent Florida Appeals Court opinion on estate planning malpractice Florida helps guide family members and heirs. This legal commentary will discuss whether you can sue your grandmother’s trust lawyer. Understanding Florida Malpractice Legal malpractice is a cause of action, or lawsuit, that is brought against a Florida lawyer. It is often referred to as professional negligence. A Florida lawyer commits malpractice when their standard of care, their services, or failure to provide services, fall(s) below the standard. What standard? The standard of a reasonable attorney in that particular geography. Providing bad legal services can be as simple as not telling your client that she has rights. Or a cause of action against someone. But, can a trust beneficiary, heir, son or daughter sue mom or dad’s attorney who wrote the wills and trusts? Estate Planning Malpractice Florida Many times, family members or adult sons and daughters want to sue mom or dad’s estate planning lawyer. But, many times, heirs are prevented from suing for estate planning malpractice Florida. Why? Three of the most common defenses to professional negligence include blowing the statute of limitations. You didn’t sue fast enough. The statute of limitations for legal malpractice is 2 years. Read Chapter 95.11 (4)(a), Florida Statutes. (To read about stopping or “suspending” or tolling that time period and the computation of time, read the entire CHAPTER.) And remember: a letter won’t […]

POA theft in Florida is serious business. A Power of Attorney is a fiduciary. She is supposed to use the money for the principal’s care. The money does not belong to the POA. In most cases, a POA also cannot change the beneficiary of a bank account. Here’s what you need to know about Florida law if you have discovered POA theft. We have previously provided information about powers of attorney in Florida, financial exploitation, and even a FREE VIDEO. What you need to know about POA law.. In Florida, a power of attorney is a fiduciary. The person who is the power of attorney is often called the “attorney in fact.” She is supposed to act on behalf of her “principal.” The “principal” is the person who created the power of attorney. Or, think of it this way. The principal is the one who the POA works for. One easy example is the following. A wealthy woman named Nana has her probate lawyer draft a power of attorney. Nana’s power of attorney names Tommy as Nana’s “attorney in fact” or power of attorney. In this example, Nana is the principal. Tommy is the POA, or attorney in fact or “agent.” But even though the word “agent” is used to describe a POA, Tommy is a fiduciary. Here is a list of Tommy’s duties that he owes Nana: CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF DUTIES. That means that Tommy may use Nana’s money and property for Nana’s care, and Nana’s use. […]