Estate Planning Archives - Page 2 of 2

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Estate Planning For Business Owners

May 6, 2024/in carollawsonesq, carollawsonpa, Estate Planning, flipflopattorney, flipfloptrustattorney, Probate, Wills/by Carol A. Lawson, Esq.

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Estate Planning Essentials for Parents

June 8, 2020/in Elder, Estate Planning/by Carol A. Lawson, Esq.

A comprehensive estate plan can protect the things that matter most. For many, this means their property and their family.

Including provisions for the care of your children in your estate plan is essential for peace of mind. But many parents struggle with including such provisions as naming a legal guardian for their child in their plan. Indeed, even the fictional parents in the popular television sitcom Modern Family struggled with this issue in a recent episode. While Jay and his new and much younger wife Gloria agonized and argued about who they should name as a legal guardian for their children, their children were left at risk that if something happened to Jay and Gloria before they decided and properly named guardians in a legal document, a judge would make the decision for them. Not ideal, under any circumstances.

When naming a legal guardian for your minor children, there are many factors to consider, such as whether the guardian has similar values to yours or can provide a welcoming home environment. But the toughest decisions are often the most important. Consider the outcome if you died without having legal protections for your children in place. Your children could be subject to conflict between relatives or they could be raised by someone you would never want, or in a way you wouldn’t want. They could even temporarily be taken into the care of strangers.

Identifying and naming a legal guardian for your children in your estate plan is a difficult and important task. Don’t put off naming a legal guardian for your child. While thinking about what will happen to your child if you die is difficult even for fictional parents, your kids deserve the protection and you deserve the peace of mind that a legal guardian can provide.

Unfortunately, even if you have made the hard decisions and worked with a lawyer to name legal guardians in a Will, your kids could still be at risk, because that would not take into account what happens if you become incapacitated, or if your named guardians all live far from your home, and it wouldn’t protect against anyone who may challenge your decisions. The only way to ensure your kids are raised by the people you want, in the way you want, never taken into the care of strangers (even temporarily) and that your kids would never be raised by anyone you wouldn’t want, is by creating a comprehensive estate plan. Call me at (727)410-2705 to schedule your appointment.

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy 19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761

Phone: (727) 410-2705; email: calh@gate.net

Clearwater Bankruptcy Attorney, Clearwater Bankruptcy Lawyer, Clearwater Bankruptcy, Clearwater Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Probate Attorney #FileLocallyDontOverpay #ClearwaterBankruptcy #ClearwaterBankruptcyAttorney#ClearwaterEstatePlanningAttorney #Pinellas ProbateAttorney

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COVID-19 Office Social Distancing Changes

May 26, 2020/in Bankruptcy, COVID-19, Estate Planning, Uncategorized/by Carol A. Lawson, Esq.

Our firm remains intact by both office and remote technology and is ready and able to assist anyone needing our services by phone and Zoom or Google Duo video call. We are also executing, witnessing, and notarizing documents in the office, and receiving our paying clients in the office. Masks are required, and will be provided to you if you do not have one. We also provide gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfect the conference room between each client with Clorox wipes. All safety procedures such as gloves, masks, hand sanitizer and Clorox bleach disinfect sanitizing are being taken for your safety.

We can receive documents through email, fax or in-person drop off upon arrangement with Carol or you may drop them off at the office with the receptionist.

Payments can be made over various electronic methods, through the mail or in-person by arrangement. Call (727) 410-2705.

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy 19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761

Phone: (727) 410-2705; email: calh@gate.net

Clearwater Bankruptcy Attorney, Clearwater Bankruptcy Lawyer, #Clearwater Bankruptcy, Clearwater Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Probate Attorney #FileLocallyDontOverpay #ClearwaterBankruptcy #ClearwaterBankruptcyAttorney #ClearwaterEstatePlanning #ClearwaterProbate

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Planning for the Care of Your Pet: How to Include Your Pet in Your Estate Plan

May 26, 2020/in Elder, Estate Planning/by Carol A. Lawson, Esq.

If your pet is beloved as a family member, you likely want to ensure that he or she will be well cared for in the event of your incapacity or death.

Without explicitly stated wishes, these furry family members could end up without a home of their own, if you die or become unable to care for them.

To prevent this tragic outcome, include planning for your pet in your estate plan. Here are a few important issues to consider when planning your estate with your beloved pet in mind.

Who will get ownership of your pet?

Pets are property and not people. Because of this legal distinction, an agent must be named in your estate plan to take ownership of your pet or arrange for your pet to have a loving home. In absence of a legally enforceable document stating your wishes, your pet could suffer the fate of many when their owners pass on: an animal shelter.

How will that person provide for your pet?

Pets require food and medical care. These costs can be significant if your pet has a health condition or is aging. Money can be set aside for your pet with specific directions about how those funds can be used and by whom.

How will your pet be cared for?

You may want to consider leaving instructions on how your pet should be cared for, as well as consider financial incentives for the person you’ve named to care for your pet pursuant to your wishes. This is especially important if your pet has any health conditions, is aging or is an exotic animal. Detailed instructions (and the money to carry them out) will ensure your pet’s new guardian can provide the same quality of care you provide now.

To ensure all your loved ones are cared for when you die, it is necessary to create a comprehensive estate plan that will ensure all your wishes are carried out, even if you don’t consider yourself financially wealthy. If you are ready to take that step toward peace of mind, begin by coming in to meet with us. As your Attorney, we can help you create a comprehensive estate plan that will protect your assets, your wishes and all your loved ones, furry friends included.

Contact me at (727) 420-2705 to schedule your appointment.

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy 19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761

Phone: (727) 410-2705; email: calh@gate.net

Clearwater Bankruptcy Attorney, Clearwater Bankruptcy Lawyer, Clearwater Bankruptcy, Clearwater Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Probate Attorney #FileLocallyDontOverpay #ClearwaterBankruptcy #ClearwaterBankruptcyAttorney#ClearwaterEstatePlanningAttorney #Pinellas ProbateAttorney

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Why You Should Not Use Legal Zoom Or DYI Programs

April 27, 2020/in Elder, Estate Planning, Probate, Special Needs/by Carol A. Lawson, Esq.

Estate planning is not one size fits all, if you use these programs you may not end up with the results you desire since your individual family circumstances may differ from the ones laid out in the form document. A one size Will or Trust definitely does NOT fit all.

That’s where we come in. Our office can help you see the blind spots in your plan and, unlike the DYI forms, we can help you formulate a custom, effective transition plan to ensure your desired wishes are carried out in the future.

You need to build flexibility into your estate plan and review your plan at least every five years, sooner as future circumstances and family and financial situations evolve over time.

We also recognize that all of the pre-planning in the world won’t do you any good if you are unable to legally sign your documents in the presence of the required witnesses and notary (digital execution of estate planning documents won’t become legal in Florida until at least this summer).

We are still offering live signings appointments at our office taking extra safety precautions to keep our clients and staff safe. You will need to wear gloves and a mask for your appointment. Also to make sure you do not have a temperature or any flu or pneumonia symptoms the day of your signing.

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy 19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761

Phone: (727) 410-2705; email: calh@gate.net

Clearwater Bankruptcy Attorney, Clearwater Bankruptcy Lawyer, Clearwater Bankruptcy, Clearwater Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Probate Attorney #FileLocallyDontOverpay #ClearwaterBankruptcy #ClearwaterBankruptcyAttorney #ClearwaterEstatePlanning #ClearwaterProbate

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Corona Virus Procedures

March 18, 2020/in Bankruptcy, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, COVID-19, Estate Planning, Probate, Uncategorized/by Carol

The threat of Coronavirus to the older population and those with compromised immune systems or pre-existing conditions makes it extremely important to ensure that your Estate Planning affairs are in order and up to date. You should normally review your documents every 3-5 years.

Here is what we are doing as a firm to make sure you can get your questions answered and your documents done in the safest way possible:

1. We are keeping our office as sanitized as possible for those of you who make it into our office. The conference room is wiped down with Clorox wipes after every client, WHO approved had sanitizer spray is available ( 99% alcohol, 3% peroxide, distilled water, aloe vera, tea tree oil, vitamin E oil, and lavender oil) for use in our conference room.

2. We are waiving our Estate Planning consultation fee until June 1st, 2020 to remove any obstacles to you being able to get your affairs in order.

3. Phone or Facetime meetings are available by appointment if you do not feel comfortable coming to the office or are quarantined. If you are sick or symptomatic please stay home. We can arrange to send a notary to you or for virtual execution if necessary.

We are here to help you please call us at (727) 410-2705 to schedule a consultation.

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy 19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761

Phone: (727) 410-2705; email: calh@gate.net

Clearwater Bankruptcy Attorney, Clearwater Bankruptcy Lawyer, Clearwater Bankruptcy, Clearwater Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Probate Attorney #FileLocallyDontOverpay #ClearwaterBankruptcy #ClearwaterBankruptcyAttorney #ClearwaterEstatePlanning #ClearwaterProbate

What is Needed For A Basic Estate Plan?

January 29, 2020/in Estate Planning/by Carol

Everyone needs an Estate Plan. Some people need a more complex one than others, but everyone needs one. The very Basics you need are as follows:

Will– need to designate Beneficiaries and Guardianship for Minor or Disabled Children.
Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA)– Who will handle your finances, and needs if you are incapacitated and can not make those decisions.
Healthcare Surrogate- who will make your medical decisions if you are unable to do so.
Living Will– Do you want live support? Do you want to be kept alive in a vegetative state? Are their limits? Do you want food, hydration, pain medication?
HIPPA Release– Who has access to your medical records.

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A Special Needs Trust Allows You to Leave Your Estate

January 7, 2020/in Estate Planning, Social Security, Special Needs/by Carol

A Special Needs Trust Allows You to Leave Your Estate to Your Special Needs Child Without Jeopardizing Public Assistance Benefits For the Child

A special needs trusts allows parents to leave funds to developmentally (Autism, Down Syndrome, or another developmental or intellectual disability) or physically disabled children, but maintain the child’s eligibility for public health care and assistance benefits. A Florida special needs trusts, also called Florida supplemental needs trusts, are vital for parents who need or want to provide for their special needs children.

If a child with special needs has been left an inheritance, he or she may not qualify for benefits…despite being unable to earn a living. A special needs trust holds the assets you wish to leave your child, acting as a supplement to the disabled child’s government resources. When structured properly, funds in these trusts can only be used for goods and services over and above what government assistance provides for the disabled child, and cannot be used as payment for taxes or creditors. The child has no control over the funds.

Carol A. Lawson, Esq., 28870 U.S. Hwy 19 #300, Hodusa Towers, Clearwater, FL 33761

Phone: (727) 410-2705; email: calh@gate.net

Clearwater Bankruptcy Attorney, Clearwater Bankruptcy Lawyer, Clearwater Bankruptcy, Clearwater Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Estate Planning Attorney, Pinellas Probate Attorney #FileLocallyDontOverpay #ClearwaterBankruptcy #ClearwaterBankruptcyAttorney #ClearwaterEstatePlanning #ClearwaterProbate