If you own property in Florida with a family member—like an aging parent or an adult child—you probably have a simple goal: if one of you passes away, the other should automatically inherit the home without the headache, delay, and expense of probate court. Many Florida homeowners assume that simply having both names on the property deed is enough to make this happen. Unfortunately, this is a massive misconception that often isn't discovered until it's too late. Let's look at

The Dangerous Misconception: "I’m on the Mortgage, So I Own the House" One of the most common—and devastating—misconceptions in real estate and estate planning is the belief that being on the mortgage grants you ownership rights. If you are in a relationship or married, and both of you are on the mortgage but only one of you is on the deed, you are walking a legal tightrope. According to real estate law, ownership is determined strictly by what the deed says, not who is on t

When planning your estate, most people assume their Last Will and Testament is the ultimate authority on who inherits their assets. You might believe that if you write in your Will that your assets should be split evenly among your children, that is exactly what will happen. However, there is a specific legal designation that outweighs your Will. If you do not understand the hierarchy of estate planning assets, your written instructions could end up being useless. Does a Wil

One of the most common questions Florida estate planning attorneys receive involves the transfer of family property. Specifically, when a parent (the grantor) passes away and leaves their home to a child through a revocable trust, what happens to the property taxes? Does the child get to keep the parent's original homestead exemption rate? If not, how does the beneficiary handle the new tax situation? This guide breaks down exactly how the Florida homestead exemption works w