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14 September
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What Is The Inflation Reduction Act and How Does It Impact Florida Estate Planning?

Author Barry Siegel
in Estate Planning
Inflation Reduction Act

The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act replaced the proposed Build Back Better Act.  It covers many topics, and it is challenging to determine what will affect you. It is now a bill of law, and while the name suggests it is meant to focus on inflation, there are other areas of concern. You will also want to know how it will affect your Estate Planning but more on that later. First, let's review some of the bill's highlights.  Key Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act The Corporate Minimum Tax Rate Tax rates on individuals and households will see no change, but corporations making...

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22 August
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Legacy Planning: Does Your Family Pay Capital Gains on Inherited Property?

Author Barry Siegel
in Estate Planning

Inheritances are great for the next generation, but they can complicate taxes. How can you avoid that? How can you leave a legacy to your family without also leaving a large tax burden for your children and grandchildren? The Estate Planning lawyers at The Siegel Law Group can assist. We’ve helped hundreds of people get their affairs in order, bringing them peace of mind in the years ahead. What Taxes Might Beneficiaries Have to Pay on Their Inheritance? Depending on the amount of the estate and other aspects of your particular situation, an inheritance might be subject to estate tax, inheritance tax, and/or...

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22 August
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August is National Make a Will Month

Author Barry Siegel
in Wills and Trusts
National Make a Will Month 2022

August is National Make a Will Month, and if you haven’t created a will yet, this is a good reminder that there’s no time like the present to draft your Last Will and Testament. You know you 'should' make out your Will, but there never seems to be enough time to stop and do so. You may have it all planned out but never found time to actually do it. You may even have decided who you want your beneficiaries to be and what they should get. Whatever your reasons for procrastinating, NOW is the perfect time to make a...

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09 August
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Did Naomi Judd Leave Her Daughters Out Of Her Will? Understanding the Role of an Executor and Their Importance in Estate Planning

Author Barry Siegel
in Estate Planning
Did Naomi Judd Leave Her Daughters Out Of Her Will?

Understanding the Role of an Executor and Their Importance in Estate Planning American country singer and actress Naomi Judd passed away earlier this year, and when it was recently released that her husband was named executor of her Will, tabloid newspapers were quick to announce that her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, had been excluded from her Will.  However, not being named executor of their mother’s Will doesn’t prevent them from receiving an inheritance. Naomi Judd may have already taken care of her daughters via other Estate Planning tools such as Trusts, or perhaps with prior gifts before her passing; they may even...

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25 July
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Black Panther Star Chadwick Boseman Died Without a Will: Don’t Let This Happen To Your Loved Ones

Author Barry Siegel
in Other
Black Panther Star Chadwick Boseman Died Without a Will Don’t Let This Happen To Your Loved Ones

Fame, success, celebrity and wealth do not guarantee that your loved ones will be protected after you die. Actor and Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman passed away in 2020 without a Will, and now that his estate is settled, public court documents show:  Chadwick's spouse received $1.5 million  his family received $1.5 million  the government received $1.5 million  … and the probate court cost his loved ones roughly $900,000  If you live in Florida and you are married and die without a Will, how much your spouse inherits depends on whether or not you have living descendants -- children, grandchildren or...

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05 July
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Did You Recently Move to Florida? You Need to Update Your Estate Plan!

Author Barry Siegel
in Other
Did You Recently Move to Florida? You Need to Update Your Estate Plan!

Over the previous decade, nearly three million people have moved to Florida. From affordability to no income tax, the Sunshine State maintains an alluring lifestyle, with plenty to offer beyond pleasant weather.  Yet, when relocating, people frequently forget to review their estate planning documents. Since laws vary from state to state, there are no guarantees your current documents will fulfill the requirements of your new home.  If you are moving to Florida, you should execute your Estate Planning documents according to its state laws.  5 Reasons to Update Your Will and Trusts When You Move to Florida 1. Reduce Property Tax Homestead laws are designed...

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28 June
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New Estate Tax Savings For Floridians

Author Barry Siegel
in Wills and Trusts
New Estate Tax Savings For Floridians

A Trust is an essential tool in Estate Planning. It involves creating a legal document in which you transfer ownership of property and assets to a trusted third party, or trustee. Once funded, you can designate beneficiaries and dictate the terms for how distributions are made.  For married couples, Spousal Limited Access Trusts (SLATs) protect assets, shield against creditor claims and help avoid estate taxes and gift taxes. However, previous Florida state laws limited protections for the primary contributor. Recent amendments to state laws help to rectify the situation. These changes make creating a SLAT easier and provide greater estate tax...

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14 June
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Questions About Medicaid Planning? Check Out Our Medicaid Planning Reading List

Author Barry Siegel
in Medicaid Planning
Questions About Medicaid Planning Check Out Our Medicaid Planning Reading List

When someone you love can no longer care for themselves, a nursing home or assisted living facility may be the best option. Unfortunately, the high costs of long-term care can quickly wipe out your entire life savings. This leaves families in South Florida facing difficult financial decisions.  If you find yourself in this situation or anticipate the need for long-term care in the future, you may have more options than you realized. The experienced Elder Care and Medicaid Planning Lawyers of The Siegel Law Group, P.A. may be able to help you qualify for Medicaid benefits. As an experienced South Florida...

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17 May
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Should I Use My IRA to Provide for My Special Needs Child?

Author Barry Siegel
in Special Needs Trust
Should I Use My IRA to Provide for My Special Needs Child

Parents of a special needs child have different long-term planning concerns. For parents of children with disabilities, a primary concern is ensuring they are provided for now and in the years to come. Naming your child as the beneficiary of your IRA is one option in providing for their future financial needs. However, while this can offer certain advantages, such as the ability to spread out payments, there are also serious disadvantages. Our South Florida Estate Planning Attorneys explain the pros and cons and why, if you have a child with a disability, a Special Needs Trust offers greater protection.  Using...

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03 May
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May Is Elder Law Month: 7 Benefits of Hiring an Elder Law Attorney

Author Barry Siegel
in Elder Law
May Is Elder Law Month: 7 Benefits of Hiring an Elder Law Attorney

In 1963, the National Council of Senior Citizens met with John F. Kennedy to advocate for elderly needs, which led to the designation of Senior Citizens Month. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys has since embraced this proclamation and declared May as National Elder Law Month. Elder Law Attorneys serve senior clients and assist and advise family members who care for their elderly parents or relatives. Unlike other lawyers who specialize in one field of law, Elder Law Attorneys often handle several aspects of Estate Planning including Guardianships or Conservatorship, Medicaid Benefits, Probate and Estate Planning, Health and Long-Term Care...

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