Trusts are Useless if You Do Not Know How to Use Them

You read it correctly; a trust is entirely useless without skilled advice to go with it. After all, a trust is just a document. Much like a contract, a will, a power of attorney, or a set of instructions from a furniture store, a trust does nothing until a living person takes action. So, although it is important to draft the trust correctly, many times it is the attorney advising the trustee later that makes all the difference. If you have been named trustee of a Florida trust, and you are concerned about honoring the deceased individual’s wishes, while protecting...

04 December

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Adult Guardianship in Florida

Posted by Sgfirmlaw

in Estate Planning, Family Law

As we age, many adults will experience some decline in health, including cognitive decline. In fact, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 11.7% of all adults will experience some form of cognitive decline once they are over 65. Cognitive decline can be defined as a relative loss of mental capacity and functioning. Cognitive decline can happen for many reasons, including organic brain disorders like dementia or due to stroke or other health conditions. As we age, the risk of decline becomes more pronounced. In addition to the human toll of decline, there are legal concerns facing...

20 November

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Pros and Pitfalls of a Ladybird Estate

Posted by Sgfirmlaw

in Estate Planning

The Ladybird Estate got its delightful name after the late wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, Ladybird Johnson. Her real name was Claudia Alta, and her late husband’s bequest of their homestead set the stage for the nickname of an estate planning document also dubbed the “Life Estate.” But what exactly is a life estate, and should you be using one to avoid probate? What is a Life Estate? Whenever someone deeds a property to another, they can do so in several ways. First, they can opt to grant the receiver everything - the whole package, so to speak. This is what...

13 November

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Do I Need to Probate an Estate in Florida?

Posted by Sgfirmlaw

in Estate Planning

One of the simplest, yet most common questions estate planning lawyers get is, “Will I need to probate my estate?” The answer is relatively simple, yet complicated at the same time. At Sejour-Gustave Law Firm, PLLC, we are a faith-based law firm, guided by principles of law and heartfelt devotion to Christ. As such, we see one’s final wishes in a different way than many attorneys. We understand that there is often far more to one’s final estate than dollars and cents. Sometimes, matters of conscience are just as important. So, when deciding whether a probate estate will be needed,...

25 September

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Estate Planning Basics for the Family Owned Business

Posted by Sgfirmlaw

in Business Law, Estate Planning

Few things in life can bring more joy and satisfaction than owning a business. It can provide flexibility, autonomy, and a great income for generations. Successful family-owned businesses often are handed down to children and grandchildren, creating legacies as well as wealth. But business owners face more complex questions when preparing their final affairs. Unlike most Americans, small business owners have added concerns about who will take over the business, how the business will be run after they are gone, and what would happen to the business if they became incapacitated in some way. These and more are issues that...

04 September

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— What is a Q-Tip Trust, and Does it Make Sense for Your Family?

Posted by Sgfirmlaw

in Estate Planning

Estate Planning

Trusts are Useless if You Do Not Know How to Use Them

Adult Guardianship in Florida

Pros and Pitfalls of a Ladybird Estate

Do I Need to Probate an Estate in Florida?

Estate Planning Basics for the Family Owned Business

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