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

If you are looking to pursue a probate in Florida, you likely have questions about where to start. Whether you are dealing with a small estate or a complex inheritance, understanding the specific requirements is critical to moving forward. We frequently receive calls from individuals ready to bring a probate action but who lack the necessary documentation. This guide breaks down exactly what is needed to bring a probate proceeding in Florida, determining which type of probat

During an estate planning consultation I ran into a situation I’ve seen many times over the years—one that I suspect happens far more often than people realize. Because so many families face the same dilemma, I wanted to break it down in a way that can help others who are weighing similar choices in their estate planning. Meet “Bob” and His Two Estate Planning Goals For privacy reasons, we’ll call today’s client “Bob.” Bob came in with two very common goals: Keep costs as low

If you're a Florida resident on Medicaid  with a paid-off house , you might worry about losing it to estate recovery after you pass. The good news? You can still get a Lady Bird deed —and you absolutely should. This simple tool keeps your home out of probate, avoids Medicaid claims, and passes it directly to your heirs. In this guide, we'll break down how Lady Bird deeds work for Medicaid recipients, Florida's generous homestead exemptions, and why skipping probate saves you

A common question about Lady Bird Deeds  (also known as Enhanced Life Estate Deeds) is when they should be recorded. Below, we explain...

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.