ESTATE PLANNING AND ELDER LAW ATTORNEYS

004: Innovative Strategies for Efficient Estate Management

By | Podcasts

Unlock the secrets to a seamless estate settlement in Florida with Cary Moss. Gain valuable insights into what makes an estate settlement process smooth versus complex, and learn how to avoid common pitfalls. From the importance of organized documentation to the dynamics among beneficiaries and personal representatives, Cary shares her wealth of knowledge with real-life examples that illuminate both the triumphs and challenges in the world of probate. We’ll navigate the intricate maze of Florida’s homestead laws and the unique hurdles that out-of-state personal representatives often encounter. Discover strategies to manage the 90-day creditor period that can impact property transfers, and understand the critical role of consensus among heirs, especially in intestate estates or when a will is contested. Cary also demystifies the concept of summary administration, helping you identify when it’s advantageous and when formal administration becomes a necessity. In this episode, you will hear: Navigating Florida’s complex estate…

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Scrabble board with "Probate Lawyer" spelled

Navigating the Orlando Probate Process: What Every Executor Needs to Know

By | Estate Planning

Key Takeaways Probate is a court-supervised process that ensures assets are properly distributed and debts are paid. In Florida, the executor is called a “personal representative,” and their duties are both legal and fiduciary. Summary administration is available for smaller estates or when more than two years have passed since death. Avoiding probate may be possible with strategies like trusts, joint ownership, and beneficiary designations. Effective communication, proper planning, and hiring an experienced probate attorney can ease emotional and legal burdens. Introduction Navigating the probate process can be overwhelming for families, especially after the loss of a loved one. In this episode of Life, Legacy and Wealth, estate planning and probate attorney Tom Moss of Sawyer & Sawyer, P.A. walks through what every personal representative (executor) needs to know to settle an estate in Florida. Whether you live in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Dr. Phillips, or the surrounding…

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003: Mastering Florida Probate Process: Strategies for Effective Estate Planning and Legal Guidance

By | Podcasts

Unlock the secrets to more efficient estate planning and fortify your family’s legacy with our latest episode of Life, Legacy, and Wealth. Once again facilitated by producer, Danny Ozment, Tom will help you navigate the often-confusing world of probate in Florida, especially when dealing with unique scenarios like out-of-state heirs or vacation properties. We dissect the complexity of contested wills and highlight why securing prompt legal representation is crucial in adversarial probate cases.  Skip the headaches of probate with strategic insights into asset management. We share effective methods to ensure a seamless transfer of assets upon death, including the use of trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership with survivorship rights. Whether you’re planning for a child with special needs or managing complex family dynamics, personalized estate planning is key. Our discussions also cover practical tips for adult children assisting aging parents, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an updated asset inventory…

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002: Mastering Florida’s Probate Process: A Guide to Estate Management and Legal Responsibilities

By | Podcasts

Unlock the secrets of mastering Florida’s probate process and breeze through estate management with confidence. We demystify the probate process in Orlando, providing essential guidance for personal representatives to safeguard the deceased’s home and locate vital estate planning documents. Our episode clears up common misconceptions—such as the mistaken belief that a will negates the need for probate or that creditors can be ignored—ensuring you’re fully prepared to face the realities of estate management. The detailed discussion takes you through the labyrinth of Florida’s probate system, a court-supervised procedure designed to manage and distribute a deceased person’s estate. We break down the roles and responsibilities of personal representatives and probate attorneys, from inventorying assets and notifying creditors to the critical task of asset distribution. Learn about the timelines and distinctions between formal and summary administration, and gain insights into navigating potential complications, such as dealing with multiple creditors and understanding Florida’s…

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001: Building a Legacy in Elder Law and Estate Planning

By | Podcasts

In this inaugural episode of Life, Legacy, and Wealth, hosts Cary Moss and Tom Moss of Sawyer & Sawyer invite listeners to the table for an intimate and informative conversation about the roots of their law firm, their personal journeys into law, and how they’ve built a practice centered on compassion and legacy. Cary shares how her parents founded the firm and inspired her path into law, while Tom recounts his transition from a blue-collar upbringing to becoming an attorney after a chance meeting with another student that led to taking the LSAT. Together, they reflect on how combining their strengths—Cary’s social worker mindset and Tom’s business and estate planning perspective—has shaped the firm into a family-oriented practice. Listeners will gain insight into how Sawyer & Sawyer supports clients through every stage of life, from estate planning and guardianship to Medicaid and veterans’ benefits. Cary and Tom explain their detailed…

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