The Pitfalls of DIY Wills: Lessons Learned from a Florida Probate Case

by Leslie Marenco | Oct 13, 2017 | Articles, Case Law, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills

  DIY wills are becoming more prevalent as legal services can now be accessed easily online. For better or worse, more and more people are turning to online services to meet their legal needs, maybe even you.   Here’s what you need to know before you decide...

Easy Mistakes to Avoid When Passing Assets to Your Child

by Leslie Marenco | Oct 6, 2017 | Articles, Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Trusts

Setting up a trust fund for your children can ensure that the money you are leaving behind for them is taken care for them, in the way that you want. But your efforts in completing this important, yet somber task can be ruined by making one of these common mistakes....

How Legal Planning Helps Build a Strong Blended Family

by Leslie Marenco | Sep 22, 2017 | Articles, Estate Planning

  Yours, mine and ours … in today’s modern family, it’s oh so common. The blended family is the product of 2nd (or more) marriages, in which one or more of the parties comes with children from a prior marriage. And then, they may even go on to have children...

Financial + Legal Planning for Unmarried Couples: Should You Legally Marry or Not?

by Leslie Marenco | Sep 15, 2017 | Articles, Asset Protection, Estate Planning

  While the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage in the U.S. making it possible for people of all sexual orientations to marry, many modern couples (of all genders and sexual orientation) still choose against marriage.   If...

Planning Pays Off: An Illustrative Look at Carrie Fisher’s Semi-Failed Estate Plan

by Leslie Marenco | Sep 8, 2017 | Articles, Celebrity Estates, Estate Planning, Trusts

  Whether your estate is modest or movie star worthy, the value of a good estate plan, properly handled, cannot be underestimated. A comprehensive plan can mean the difference between an expensive and unnecessary “time spent in court headache” for your loved ones...

Is California’s New Transfer on Death Deed a Safe Alternative to a Living Trust?

by Leslie Marenco | Sep 1, 2017 | Articles, Estate Planning, Real Property / Real Estate, Trusts, Uncategorized

  Perhaps you’ve heard from a well-meaning friend or advisor that you can use an inexpensive Transfer on Death Deed to keep your property out of court without going to the trouble of creating a Living Trust. If so, read this before you rely on a Transfer on Death...