Probate is the legal process of transferring assets from a deceased person (known as the decedent) to their beneficiaries or heirs after death. It involves identifying all assets in the estate, collecting information on creditors and claims, paying debts, and distributing what's left. This process is often lengthy, expensive, and stressful for loved ones. Beneficiaries vs. Heirs: Key Differences Understanding who inherits your assets is crucial for effective planning: Benefic

In Florida estate planning, one common question stands out: Why not just put real property in a trust to avoid probate?  While a revocable living trust is often the gold standard for transferring assets seamlessly, it isn’t always the most practical or cost-effective choice. Sometimes, adding heirs to a deed with rights of survivorship—or using a Lady bird deed —makes more sense depending on your financial situation, family dynamics, and long-term tax goals. This guide breaks

If you're a joint tenant with rights of survivorship on a property with your parent, and they're receiving government benefits like SSDI or Medicaid, you might worry about what happens to the house after they pass away. A common question is: Can the government come after the house? In this post, we'll break down the key differences between SSI and SSDI, explain why Social Security typically isn't a concern for property liens, and dive into how Medicaid recovery works—especial

In Florida, many people use quitclaim deeds as a simple way to transfer property ownership, especially when planning for the future. A common scenario involves adding family members to the deed to ensure the property passes smoothly without probate. For example, imagine a situation where a mother adds her 34-year-old grandson and 24-year-old granddaughter to her quitclaim deed with survivorship, listing her name first. The big question: Will the property go straight to them w

Navigating Medicaid eligibility can be complex, especially when it comes to understanding how assets like savings accounts and property...

When planning for long-term care, many people worry about protecting their assets, especially their home, from Medicaid recovery. If...

Income Limits in Florida Medicaid For a single individual in Florida, the gross monthly income limit to qualify for Long Term Care...

Receiving a workman's compensation lump sum can raise concerns about maintaining Medicaid eligibility. Many people worry that this...

If you're navigating estate planning in Florida, you've likely come across terms like "Lady Bird deed" and "homestead exemption." These...

Discover how a Ladybird deed can help you avoid probate in Florida. This powerful estate planning tool allows you to transfer real estate directly to beneficiaries upon your death, bypassing the costly and time-consuming probate process while retaining full control during your lifetime.

When planning your estate, you may question what happens if you deed property to Person A before death, but your will instructs Person A to split sale proceeds with Persons B and C.

Understand how VA disability income impacts Florida Medicaid eligibility, including income and asset limits, and key reporting requirements.