In Florida, as in many other states, you can begin a probate for a deceased relative or friend as soon as the person passes away. Often, there are sound reasons for starting the probate as soon as several days or weeks. But sometimes, it is smarter to wait.
Starting early means the estate can begin the process of inventorying assets and putting up the person’s house for sale. And because probate can take months or longer, the sooner it is started, the quicker the heirs can get their inheritance. Read more →
Former Board Member and Award-Winner, Broward County Bar Association
Member of Florida and New York Bars
Certified Circuit Court and County Court Mediator
A Home Mortgage Primer
/0 Comments/in Blog, Home Mortgage Primer /by Gary LandauThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently posted an article on mortgages for homebuyers, especially people buying for the first time. I thought the article and the links inserted (including a useful checklist linked at the end) offer good food for thought.
Here is a reprint of the article, which you can find at consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/year-you-buy-first-home/ Read more →
When Does It Pay to Wait to Probate
/0 Comments/in Blog, Probate Law /by Gary LandauIn Florida, as in many other states, you can begin a probate for a deceased relative or friend as soon as the person passes away. Often, there are sound reasons for starting the probate as soon as several days or weeks. But sometimes, it is smarter to wait.
Starting early means the estate can begin the process of inventorying assets and putting up the person’s house for sale. And because probate can take months or longer, the sooner it is started, the quicker the heirs can get their inheritance. Read more →
At Tax Time, Be Glad Florida Has Low Real Estate Taxes
/0 Comments/in Blog, Real Estate Taxes /by Gary LandauLately, the national news has been filled with people who are discovering that the new tax law has them paying more to Uncle Sam than they previously had to pay. As we enter the height of tax season, many of us here in Florida are not among those people, due to our relatively low property tax and other state taxes. Read more →
Why Does It Take So Long to Close on a New Home?
/0 Comments/in Blog, Closings /by Gary LandauYou have finally reached a deal to buy or sell your home, and you’re eager to get to closing. Then your attorney/closing agent tells you that will happen in approximately one month.
Why, you wonder, does it take so long? Read more →
Should You Worry about the Estate Tax?
/0 Comments/in Blog, Estate Tax /by Gary LandauThe estate tax currently affects only a tiny fraction of people in Florida. But even if you’re in its bullseye, there are ways to limit its effect
People who hate it call it the death tax. People who want to see it increase label it the Paris Hilton tax. But despite the intense passions, the estate tax actually plays a role in only a very tiny sliver of Florida probates.
Also called an inheritance tax, the estate tax is a levy on the transfer of a taxable estate from a deceased person to their heirs. It was created by federal law. Read more →