Category: Estate Planning

Most Florida business owners focus on growing their companies but overlook what happens when they're gone. Without a solid plan, your life's work could face legal battles, tax penalties, or even forced sales. Florida business estate planning protects both your company and your family's financial future. We at Rubino Findley, PLLC in Boca Raton help business owners create plans that address succession, taxes, and asset protection. Why Business Estate Planning Matters for Florida Owners Probate costs money and time that your heirs won't have. When a business owner dies without a plan, their company becomes part of the probate process, which in Florida can drag on for months or even years. Court fees, legal expenses, and administrative costs eat into the assets your family should inherit. A 2019 National Association…

Florida has no state estate tax, but federal rules still apply to residents in Palm Beach County and throughout the state. Understanding this Florida estate taxes overview is the first step toward protecting your family's wealth. At Rubino Findley, PLLC, we help residents navigate these rules and avoid costly mistakes. This guide covers the strategies that actually work. What's the Real Estate Tax Impact for Florida Residents in Boca Raton Florida's lack of state estate tax is a genuine advantage, but it creates a false sense of security for many residents in Palm Beach County. The federal government still taxes large estates at 40 percent above the exemption threshold, and that threshold is shrinking. Starting January 1, 2026, the federal exemption drops to approximately $15 million per person, down from…

Most people put off wills and trust planning because they think it's complicated or unnecessary. The truth is that without proper planning, your family could face months of court delays, unexpected taxes, and disputes over your assets. At Rubino Findley, PLLC, we help families in Palm Beach County create clear, legally sound plans that protect what matters most. This guide walks you through the differences between wills and trusts, and shows you exactly how to build a plan that fits your situation. Why Wills and Trusts Matter Without a will or trust in place, your family faces real financial and legal consequences. Florida probate can take anywhere from six months to two years or longer, depending on the complexity of your estate and whether anyone contests the proceedings. During this…

Trust administration in Florida involves managing a deceased person's assets according to their wishes. Many trustees face confusion about their legal obligations and deadlines, which can lead to costly mistakes. We at Rubino Findley, PLLC serve Palm Beach County, Florida, and understand the complexities trustees encounter. This guide walks you through the process and shows when professional legal guidance makes a real difference. What Trust Administration Actually Means Understanding Your Role as Trustee Trust administration in Florida is the legal process you use to manage and distribute trust assets after the grantor's death or incapacity, governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 736. This isn't theoretical-it's a set of concrete, time-sensitive obligations that directly affect whether beneficiaries receive their inheritances on schedule and whether you avoid personal liability. Your primary job involves…

Probate administration in Palm Beach County involves specific rules and deadlines that differ from other Florida counties. The process can feel overwhelming when you're managing an estate while grieving a loved one. At Rubino Findley, PLLC, we help families in Boca Raton and throughout Palm Beach County handle probate efficiently and correctly. This guide walks you through the local requirements and common obstacles you'll face. What Makes Palm Beach Probate Different from Other Florida Counties Filing Requirements Unique to Palm Beach County Palm Beach County probate operates under Florida Statutes Chapters 731–735, but the local court procedures and filing requirements create a distinctly different experience than probate in Miami-Dade or Broward County. The 15th Judicial Circuit serves Palm Beach County across five courthouses-West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens,…

Probate can feel overwhelming when you're grieving the loss of a loved one. The legal process involves multiple court filings, asset valuations, and debt settlements that most people have never navigated before. A Broward probate attorney helps you understand each step and protects your family's interests throughout the proceedings. At Rubino Findley, PLLC, we guide clients through probate with clarity and confidence. What Probate Actually Means Probate is the court-supervised process of administering a deceased person's estate. It involves identifying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to beneficiaries. In Florida, the personal representative (often called an executor) manages this process with court oversight. The timeline varies significantly depending on the estate's complexity. Summary administration typically finishes in two to three months for smaller estates valued at $75,000…

Losing a loved one is difficult enough without navigating the legal complexities that follow. Probate administration in Florida involves specific court procedures, timelines, and requirements that many families find overwhelming. At Rubino Findley, PLLC, we help families in Boca Raton work through each stage of settlement with clarity and confidence. This guide walks you through the process step by step. Understanding Probate Administration in Florida What Probate Actually Accomplishes Probate is the court-supervised process that transfers a deceased person's assets to their beneficiaries and settles any outstanding debts. In Florida, this process exists for a concrete reason: it protects heirs by ensuring creditors receive proper notification, taxes are paid, and assets are legitimately distributed. Without probate, there would be no legal mechanism to verify ownership or settle claims against the…

Navigating probate court Florida procedures can feel overwhelming when you're managing a loved one's estate. The process involves multiple steps, strict filing deadlines, and complex legal requirements that vary by situation. At Rubino Findley, PLLC, we help families in Boca Raton understand each phase of probate settlement so they can move forward with confidence. What Path Does Your Estate Take Through Florida Probate? Three Probate Routes Available in Florida Florida offers three distinct probate pathways, and selecting the right one saves thousands of dollars and months of waiting. The simplest route is Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration, available when the estate contains only exempt assets like household furnishings up to $20,000 or non-exempt property limited to funeral expenses up to $10,000 plus medical expenses from the last 60 days…

Probate administration in Florida involves a series of structured steps that many families find overwhelming. At Rubino Findley, PLLC, we guide personal representatives through each phase, from court appointment to final accounting. This guide walks you through the entire process so you understand what to expect and how to avoid costly mistakes. What Happens When Florida Probate Begins Florida probate administration follows a precise legal framework established in Florida Statutes Chapters 731-735. When someone passes away with assets in their name alone, probate becomes the court process that transfers those assets to heirs or beneficiaries. The process moves through distinct phases, each with hard deadlines that cannot be ignored. Filing the Will and Triggering the Process You must file the original will with the circuit court clerk within 10 days…

When someone passes away in Florida, their family faces a critical decision about how to handle their estate. Florida independent administration probate offers a streamlined alternative that can get assets to beneficiaries far faster than traditional probate. We at Rubino Findley, PLLC help families in Palm Beach County understand whether this path makes sense for their situation. This guide walks you through how it works, what advantages it offers, and what challenges you might encounter along the way. What Is Independent Administration Probate Independent administration probate is a court-authorized process where the personal representative manages the estate without requesting the judge's approval for most decisions. Under Florida Statutes § 733.701, this path becomes available when the will explicitly authorizes it or all beneficiaries and creditors consent in writing. The personal…