People often relate the concept of probate with feelings of dread and anxiety. However, here at Lauren Richardson Law, PLLC, we urge business owners not to fear the probate process. If you want to avoid probate, preparation is key. Probate, defined as the legal process of establishing the validity of a will, is especially important to think about if you are a business owner. Without taking the proper precautions, your successors, business partners and family members will most likely have to go to probate court to resolve disputes regarding the validity of the will. However, most people would like to avoid probate court because delays and high expenses are extremely common. You should plan an

Lauren Richardson Law, PLLC, often provides legal guidance to clients in need of estate planning. From first-hand experience, Lauren Richardson knows that clients often feel confused when developing an estate plan. A last will and testament is one of the most essential components involved in estate planning. Without a will, your estate will be distributed to your heirs according to the intestate statutes, and your particular wishes may not be followed. Does a person's standard of living influence whether you should have an estate plan? NO! Regardless of income and standard of living, an estate plan is essential when transferring assets in the way you want. However, the rich and super rich a

How much do you know about guardianship? A guardianship allows one person or entity to make decisions for another, referred to as the ward. This is especially important in times of incapacitation and disablement. Mark Eghrari highlights three things people need to know about incapacitation and guardianship that they may be unaware of. Guardianship can be avoided with a Power of Attorney (POA) and healthcare directives. A Durable POA gives you the opportunity to choose who will be able to make financial decisions on your behalf and follow your wishes. An advance healthcare directive identifies what steps should be taken if you can no longer make your own health decisions due to incapacitation

Does gender impact estate planning? According to Amy Libertoski, the principal and senior financial advisor at Wipfli Hewins Investment Advisors, it does. Because women live longer than men, they have additional planning concerns that need to be addressed in regards to assets. An estate plan would then be helpful in transferring those assets. However, the most important purpose of creating an estate plan is to provide security in case of any emergency. Libertoski provides some key messages to keep in mind in regards to financial planning. The objective of estate planning is to be proactive and plan for asset dispersion in case of unpredictable circumstances. Examples of estate planning docum

At Lauren Richardson Law, PLLC, we hope that everyone stayed safe and experienced minimal to no damage during the hurricane. However, since Hurricane Irma affected almost the entire state of Florida, we are aware that many people were negatively impacted. Because of this, we are providing you with the Florida Bar Foundation's latest information regarding consumer hotlines and other sources for those seeking legal aid. Below is a list of sources provided by the Florida Bar that can help Floridians in the recovery process. The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division established a Disaster Relief Hotline, 1-866-550-2929. They provide an online request for assistance form for individuals, who may not

Did you know that the suicide rate of lawyers is double that of the general population? It’s true! Mental illness impacts millions of Americans per year. However, those who work in the field of law are more likely to experience different forms of mental illnesses. For example, lawyers are 3.6 times more likely to suffer severe depression. In the National Task Force 72-page report, “The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change,” multiple suggestions and recommendations are provided for those in law that emphasize confidence and the importance of well-being with the ultimate goal of educating the public about mental illness. The report shines a light on the wide

With Hurricane Irma quickly approaching the state of Florida, we here at Lauren Richardson Law, PLLC, understand how daunting hurricane preparations can be. While purchasing gas, food and water, are some of the basic preparations, it is equally important to secure important documents either electronically or in a waterproof location in case of flooding. The important financial and legal documents we are referring to include… Insurance policies (homeowners, automobile, boat) Tax returns (previous year) Birth certificate(s) Marriage certificate Passport(s) Vehicle title(s) Title insurance policy Deed to real estate Banking information Medical records Financial insurance policies (long-term car