#lawyer estate planning florida

[thelawofficeofaudreyehrhardt]

https://medium.com/@themedicaidapplicationfirmseo/comprehensive-guide-to-estate-planning-in-florida-safeguarding-your-legacy-and-loved-ones-c6aaa566bc8a

[perlinestateplanningandprobate]

Florida Estate Planning Lawyer

Plan for the future with a trusted Florida Estate Planning Lawyer. From wills and trusts to asset protection and tax strategies, get personalized guidance to ensure your loved ones are cared for and your legacy is secure. Whether you're starting fresh or updating existing plans, expert estate planning services can help you achieve peace of mind and long-term financial security.

[youngstrawberryblaze]

Key Estate Planning Insights for Every Family

When it comes to securing your family’s future, understanding the essentials of estate planning is crucial. For families in Bradenton, Florida, ensuring that your assets are protected and your wishes are honored can bring peace of mind during difficult times. This article will explore key elements every family should consider in their estate planning journey.

Understanding Estate Planning Basics

Estate planning involves making arrangements for managing and distributing your assets after your death. This includes creating wills, trusts, and other legal documents that outline how you want your affairs handled. Every Bradenton family should start by understanding their unique financial situation and what they want for their loved ones. Engaging in open discussions with family members can clarify your intentions and ensure everyone is on the same page.

The Importance of a Will

A will is a foundational element of estate planning. It allows you to specify who will inherit your property, appoint guardians for minor children, and detail your final wishes. Without a will, the state’s intestacy laws dictate how your assets will be distributed, which may not align with your desires. This can lead to conflicts among family members and unnecessary legal complications. Consulting with an estate planning attorney in Bradenton can help you draft a will that meets your specific needs and accurately reflects your wishes.

Setting Up Trusts

Trusts are an effective way to manage your assets both during your lifetime and after your death. They can provide for your beneficiaries while avoiding the probate process, which can be lengthy and costly. Trusts come in various forms—revocable, irrevocable, special needs, and more—each serving different purposes. For instance, a revocable trust allows you to maintain control over your assets while you’re alive, but it becomes irrevocable upon your death. This ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes without the delays of probate. Your estate planning attorney can guide you in choosing the right type of trust for your family’s situation.

Designating Powers of Attorney

Choosing a power of attorney (POA) is an essential step in your estate plan. A POA allows you to appoint someone to make financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This ensures that your wishes are honored and that someone you trust manages your affairs. Selecting a responsible individual who understands your values and preferences is crucial. Additionally, you might consider establishing a healthcare proxy, which specifically designates someone to make medical decisions for you.

Creating Advanced Healthcare Directives

Advanced healthcare directives are legal documents that outline your medical treatment preferences if you cannot communicate your wishes. These directives can include living wills, which specify the types of medical interventions you do or do not want, and healthcare proxies, which designate an individual to make decisions on your behalf. Having these documents in place can relieve your family from the burden of making tough decisions during emotionally charged situations.

Regularly Reviewing Your Plan

Estate planning is not a one-time event. Life changes—such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or changes in financial status—can all affect your estate plan. It’s essential for Bradenton families to review their estate plans regularly to ensure they remain relevant and practical. Remember to reassess your plan every few years or after any significant life event. This will help you make necessary adjustments and keep your wishes current.

Conclusion

Estate planning is vital for every family in Bradenton. By taking the time to understand the essentials and working with a qualified estate planning attorney in Bradenton, you can create a plan that protects your loved ones and provides clarity during challenging times. Remember, it’s never too early to start planning for the future—secure peace of mind for you and your family today!

[lawofficeofryansshipp]

Do I Need A Florida Quitclaim Deed? | 561.699.0399

Florida Quitclaim Deed Lawyers What’s A Florida Quitclaim Deed And When Do You Need It? A Quitclaim Deed, not a “quick claim deed”, is a legal document that transfers the ownership of real property to someone else or to some other entity or trust. In Florida, it’s often used by family members to transfer property ownership to an entity, as gifts or in cases of divorce. It is of high importance to…

[elfloridausa]

Looking for professional estate planning lawyers in Florida? Turn to Estate Law of Florida, the leading estate planning law firm in the state. Our experienced estate planning lawyers can help you protect your assets, plan for your future, and ensure that your loved ones are taken care of. From wills and trusts to probate and asset protection, we offer a full range of estate planning services tailored to your unique needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

[pizzolatolawfl-blog]

Five Things to Know Before Including a Limited Liability Company in Your Estate Plan

Five Things to Know Before Including a Limited Liability Company in Your Estate Plan

When it comes to protecting your hard-earned money and property, it is important that you have the right plan, which can include a number of tools for your unique situation. One tool that might benefit you is a limited liability company (LLC) that owns some of your accounts and property.

What is a limited liability company?

An LLC is a business structure that can own many types of accounts and property. The LLC is owned by members who contribute money or property to the LLC. You can have a single-member-owned LLC or a multimember-owned LLC. If there is more than one member, management of the LLC can either be carried out by each member or the members can elect a manager.

What can an LLC own?

When people think of an LLC, they assume that it is a structure to operate a business. However, many types of accounts and property can benefit from being owned by an LLC:

Real estate. An LLC can own property such as a second home, a rental property, or a property that has been in the family for generations.

Investments. In some cases, an LLC can be formed to allow multiple people to pool their money and invest it with a larger volume.

Expensive and risky property. An LLC can own items such as airplanes and boats.

Why should I consider using an LLC in my estate plan?

Asset Protection

Because the LLC is a separate entity, typically the LLC’s creditors can only go after the LLC’s money and property, not the member’s personal accounts or property. Also, if the proper formalities are in place, the member’s personal creditors may not be able to reach the LLC’s accounts and property to satisfy the member’s personal debts. Note: In some states, a single-member LLC does not enjoy the same protection from the member’s personal creditors. The rationale of these laws is that your creditors should be able to seek relief through your LLC interests to satisfy their claims because there are no other members that will be negatively impacted by seizure of money and property owned by the LLC. Florida is one of those states.

Probate Avoidance

Anything that is owned by the LLC, either retitled into the name of the LLC during your lifetime, bought by the LLC, or transferred by operation of law at your death, will not go through the public, costly, and time-consuming probate process. The probate process only transfers accounts and property that you owned at your death. By using an LLC, the LLC—not you—owns the accounts and property. However, if you own a membership interest in your own name, the transfer of the membership interest at your death may need to go through the probate process.

How can an LLC be used in an estate plan?

How It Works

During your lifetime, you create an LLC and then transfer accounts and property to the LLC or name the LLC to be the beneficiary of your accounts and property at your death. Once it has been created, you may also purchase property or create accounts in the name of the LLC. As the creator of the LLC, you will be a member. A member is someone who owns an interest in the LLC, and depending on the number of members and the type of management, may also manage the LLC. If you are married, your spouse may also be a member. You can also add other people as LLC members either when the LLC is created or later. Be aware that there may be gift tax consequences associated with adding members who do not contribute their own money or property to the LLC. The LLC becomes the owner of the accounts and property and it is operated as an entity separate from its individual members. It is this separation that allows an LLC to have some level of asset protection. At your death, the only item that may need to be transferred is your ownership interest in the LLC; the accounts and property owned by the LLC will remain owned by the LLC.

Operating Agreement

Most LLCs have an operating agreement that outlines the rules for managing and transferring a member’s interest in the LLC. If you currently have an LLC but do not have an operating agreement, or have an operating agreement but need to update it, please reach out to us as soon as possible to assist you in getting one in place. Some provisions that should be included in the operating agreement are 

who the members of the LLC are,

the percentage of ownership that each member has,

how conflicts among members are settled,

any restrictions on a member’s ability to transfer their membership interest (including transfers to a trust), and

what happens to each member’s interest if the member dies (in most cases, whatever is stated in the operating agreement controls).

Trust Agreement

As an additional layer of protection, you may choose to transfer your membership interest in an LLC to a revocable living trust. As the creator, trustee, and beneficiary of the trust, you would still be able to participate in the management of the LLC and benefit from the LLC, you would just do so as the trustee of the trust and not as an individual. Because the trust owns the membership interest, transfer of the membership interest will not require probate, because the trust does not die. In fact, the trust can continue to own the membership interest after your death, which you can include in the trust’s instructions, along with a provision allowing a successor trustee to step in for you and handle LLC matters on behalf of the trust’s beneficiaries. Alternatively, you could state in the trust instructions that the membership interest be distributed to a named beneficiary at your death or at a specific time in the future. At that point, the beneficiary would have control of the membership interest.

Best Practices for Using an LLC

To ensure that you can take full advantage of the benefits associated with an LLC, it is critical that you follow all of the rules. An LLC is supposed to be a separate entity and you need to treat it as such. This means that there are some formalities you need to abide by, some of which include filing your annual report with the appropriate state government office and keeping separate records to showcase all transactions and meetings that the LLC is involved with. We have a Business Representation Program something like our Family Care Program to help with that. Additionally, you need to keep your personal money and property separate from the LLC’s money and property. You should not treat the LLC bank account as your own personal wallet.

Effective January 1, 2024, LLCs that meet the definition of a reporting company will need to file a Beneficial Ownership Information Report with the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. The report must include the name, birthdate, address, and unique identifying number, issuing jurisdiction, and image of an acceptable identification document for all of the beneficial owners of the LLC. A beneficial owner is an individual who owns or controls 25 percent or more of the ownership interest of the company or who exercises “substantial control” over the company. For reporting companies created after January 1, 2024, company applicants must provide their name, birthdate, address, and the unique identifying number, issuing jurisdiction, and image of an acceptable identification document. A company applicant is either the individual who files the document that creates the entity or registers the entity to do business in the United States in the case of a foreign reporting company, or the individual who is primarily responsible for directing or controlling another person’s filing of the document. Again, my Business Representation Program will be amended to include that in 2024.

What are my next steps?

We understand how important it is to protect yourself, your loved ones, and all that you have worked so hard to earn. A comprehensive estate plan can help accomplish your goals by implementing the right strategies for your situation. If you would like to explore how an LLC can help you plan for your future and the future of your loved ones, please reach out to our firm.

[sirfrogsworth]

Froggie's (Almost) Very Productive Day

I try to fit as many out-and-about chores as possible into a single day so I only have one set of post-exertional malaise consequences instead of consequences after each day of doing a thing. So any time I decide to drive, I try to find several tasks to accomplish all at once.

My first stop was the Family Services Division in the hopes of getting some help with grocery bills. I am making ends meet, but it seems to be getting harder each month. And maybe I could have skipped my trip to Florida and saved that money, but if I don't do something drastic for my mental health, I fear this first holiday season without a parent could send me into the darkness.

I needed to do an interview to finish applying for SNAP. I wanted to do a phone interview, but the next appointment was in January. So I went to social services where they allow walk-in appointments. I waited in a tiny plastic chair for several hours until they called my name. She yelled out "Benjamin" because when most people see "Grelle" they aren't really sure how to say it. (Rhymes with belly.)

She started my interview and it was going swimmingly at first. But then she started asking questions about the house and my inheritance and my trust. I had no idea what to tell her. It feels like a mistake now, but I have had pretty much no involvement in that process. I have no idea how it works. And I started to panic because she was acting like I was committing fraud or something by not mentioning the trust. But the entire point of the trust was to protect my benefits. Nothing is mine. I own nothing. I have no access. But I had no idea how to explain that.

Maybe my lawyer can help me apply, but I did not want them investigating everything and screwing things up before we even have the estate through probate. We specifically hired a lawyer and went through this convoluted process to make sure everything was on the up and up. But she really made me feel like I was doing something wrong. And that made me panic, which probably made me look even more guilty of something. So I just canceled everything and left.

After a few hours in a crowded government office, I decided to head to a different crowded government office.

I know I didn't need it until 2025, but I decided to go ahead and get my Real ID thingie before my first flight. I was kind of hoping they'd retake my picture because my current driver's license is... well...

And I'm so glad they took my big terrible picture and made it into a smaller, more terrible picture.

People complain about the DMV, but the one near me runs like a machine. It was filled with people and I still only had a 10 minute wait time.

I'm starting to wonder if all of those 80s comedians who were all, "What's the deal with the DMV?" were exaggerating.

Good stuff, Jerry.

I head up to the counter and ask for a Real ID. She asks for two pieces of mail and my birth certificate.

And this disappointed me a little bit.

I did my research. I went to the Real ID website and used their interactive guide to figure out exactly which documents I would need. They gave me this entire checklist and I printed it out and went through all my records and mail trying to find everything.

I had to wait a week for my internet bill to come because it's the only thing I forgot to change to paperless. This took a lot of effort and I was ready to be validated for being so prepared.

And she asks for two pieces of mail.

Any mail.

So I was off to get new tires.

Driving around on 8 year old bald tires was giving me anxiety. I didn't have the money for new tires, but I remember the guy saying they had financing. Recently several of my past debts went past the statute of limitations, and so my credit score lifted itself out of the pits of "poor" and into the realm of "fair." So I decided to take a chance and apply for a Discount Tire credit card. It's a 6 month payment plan with no interest, so that didn't feel as predatory as all the credit card offers I get in the mail with 8000% interest.

We started going through the approval process and I was answering all of the questions and then I saw the name of the bank offering the credit. It was the same bank that tried to sue me and also the bank that can longer collect due to the statute. I was worried they put me on some sort of list and would deny me. But, to my surprise, they approved me instantly. And wouldn't you know it, they gave me almost exactly the amount needed for a new set of tires.

I'm hoping we'll be doing another auction of the house stuff soon, so I plan to pay off the card and then cancel it, but this was the only solution I could come up with to drive safely until then.

I was having a weird day where photos of crusty rich wide dudes followed me everywhere I went. Here is my good ol' boy governor at the entrance to social services.

And at the tire place, I noticed this fella...

Why does every rich CEO think they are a font of wisdom capable of creating compelling quotes?

Does he think no one has ever said "work hard" and "have fun"? And after he said this was he like...

"That's gold, put that in *every* store."

"Oh, and use that picture of me where it looks like a handsome gal just grabbed my undercarriage."

He probably thinks, "Well, no one has put these specific generic platitudes together into a single mega-platitude. I am a genius."

"Be honest, work hard, have fun, be grateful, pay it forward" sounds like he had a bunch of motivational posters on his wall and started reading them all at once.

Like, every line could have a picture of an eagle above it.

In any case, the guy at the tire store, Dakota, was really nice. He made the experience very low anxiety. And he really liked my Thor's Hammer keychain with built in fidget spinner.

He went around showing it to all his coworkers. "Look, it even spins!" And they were like, "Dude, where did you get that??" And I was like, "Amazon." Now I'm just imagining 10 dudes at a tire store all fidgeting their hammers.

As nice as he was, Dakota was still a salesman and had a job to do. He gave me two tire options and tried to upsell me. The cheapest tires had a "1" rating for winter. He said they get "super hard" in the cold... I tried not to giggle. But I explained I drive about twice a month and mostly to the grocery store. If it is a bad winter day, I'll just wait or get delivery. He understood and set me up with the cheaper tires.

He then checked out my car and noticed my tire pressure sensors were dying. I keep getting a warning light on my dash. Apparently they all have tiny batteries in them that die after 7 years. And you can't just replace the batteries so you have to install brand new sensors.

And this is where my social anxiety got me into trouble.

I don't actually need these sensors. They are usually inaccurate. I prefer to test my tires with an actual gauge. But I got so caught up in his sales pitch that I agreed to replace them... at $60 each. For that I could have gotten the fancier tires. I really don't care if an orange light shows up on my dash. And I looked up the price online and a pack of 4 is $30. Though that is without installation.

But still... I wasn't thinking and he was so nice that I was just like, "I want to please Dakota. Saying no might make Dakota sad." Dakota's job is selling me but that doesn't mean I have to buy anything. He would live if I had said "no thanks."

To make my blunder more blunderous, when they finished the tires he asked for my key fob. And it decided that was the time for the battery to die. And in order to reset the system for the new tire pressure sensors, you have to press two buttons on the fob for 7 seconds. Thankfully I had a spare fob at home, but if I want my fancy new $240 sensors to work, I have to return to Dakota and have him initialize them.

I really hope these are the Cadillac of sensors.

Or, like, the ones they use on Cadillacs?

They better be accurate, is what I'm saying.

I do feel safer with new tires. So I am glad I did that. And I gave them a good obligatory kick and felt the tread. They seem nice enough even if they get boners in the winter. It's crazy how bald my other tires were in comparison. Like, I can fit half my finger down into the tread on the new ones—which did not get them super hard.

The way I drive, I probably won't wear them down. They'll probably start to rot before I do.

Before I do, meaning before I wear them down.

Not before I rot.

I am not in a rotting competition with my tires.

I was then off to Sam's. I decided all of my hard work accomplishing 2 out of 3 goals deserved some sushi. So I grabbed some California Rolls and headed home. On my way out, a Hummer and a Porsche nearly collided in the parking lot. And they sort of got stuck facing each other. One of them needed to back up and they both signaled at each other like "You back up, I'm not backing up." And it was just this weird standoff between the two douchiest looking cars you could imagine.

I mean, you have to be a douche to drive a Hummer.

I still remember the mystery Hummer dialysis patient from when my dad was going 3 time per week. We could never figure out who owned the Hummer, but we knew it was not the underpaid nurses and techs. So it had to be one of the patients. And none of them seemed the type. We never solved that mystery.

That hummer started off a delightful safety yellow. (Elon would cry.)

They decided this wasn't extra enough... so they did this...

Katrina and I could never decide... are these cow spots or the world's least effective camoflauge?

There was another patient who drove this old beater...

And I loved seeing this car because we had the same one when I was a little kid. I'm afraid the aesthetics of the 1980s Caprice Classic did not stand the test of time, but it had great sentimental appeal for me.

But this maroon beast that squeaked and sputtered its way from here to there belonged to a very sweet older gentleman. Sometimes he and my dad would be dialysis buddies—sitting next to each other in the recliners. And the worst thing about dialysis was the boredom. All you have to do is watch broadcast TV with 4 channels.

All of the TVs require headphones. They give you your own set of super cheap headphones in the dialysis welcome bag. They were very uncomfortable so I ordered my dad better ones with cushioned ear cups.

His dialysis buddy noticed them and thought they looked nice. And then he revealed that his free headphones broke and he didn't know how to get new ones. He had been watching TV with no sound for weeks. So, I bought another pair with the soft ear cups and my dad gave them to his friend. And it just made me happy imagining the two of them watching The Price is Right in matching headphones.

I do have to make fun of this sweet old man a little bit. When I walked passed his car I noticed he implemented the world's most effective anti-theft device ever created.

That's right... The Club™.

If someone decides they have to have a 40 year old car with an engine that sounds like a dying hyena and a hubcap missing... they are out of luck.

But hey, you gotta protect what is important to you. And if I needed a getaway car and my choices were between his beater and the Cow Hummer, I'd take his ride for sure.

Well, I'd try... and then get arrested because The Club™ is undefeatable.

Do NOT look that up on YouTube. It's 100% true. (And the Lock Picking Lawyer doesn't count due to him being able to break into Fort Knox with a paperclip and then doing it again to make sure it isn't a fluke.)

The dialysis center is in the same complex as my local Tolerable Schnucks and I still see that maroon boat of a car every once in a while. I always smile whenever it is there because it lets me know he is hanging in there and hopefully still has sound for his TV.

Wow, I went off on a mega-tangent.

I didn't even finish talking about my day. Where was I? Oh, the douche standoff finally ended. The Porsche Douche capitulated and backed up. Probably due to the fact the Hummer Douche has 0 visibility behind him.

When I got home I started devouring my sushi. I finally heard back from my lawyer. He submitted the last of the evidence for my appeal. And I was finally able to confirm he got the records of my ECT treatments from 20 years ago. I worked so hard to get those. At first, they forgot to send all records before 2011. I had to call back and figure that out. They shipped them and they didn't arrive until a week before we had to file. Everything was so last minute and my anxiety has been... palpable. It felt like when I did my science fair project on Sunday night.

He's hoping to get a decision at the beginning of next year. He warned me that these appeals are usually rejected. And that the most effective method of approval was a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. But that could be delayed by up to a year. So I might need to figure out how to survive until 2025. As long as my brother does what he is legally required to do, I should be okay. But counting on that also gives me palpable anxiety.

And that was my day.

Every time I go out is always an adventure.

But remember...

BE NICE. EAT YOUR VEGGIES. PET CUTE DOGS. DREAM BIG. KEEP YOUR TIRES WARM... FOR REASONS. 5 LIFE LESSONS -Froggie, Mildly Famous Internet Person

[beardedmrbean]

Three brothers in a celebrity real estate family were charged with sex trafficking conspiracy in a case involving "dozens of victims" from Miami Beach to New York, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Twins Oren and Alon Alexander and their elder brother Tal were charged with working together to "repeatedly and violently drug, sexually assault, and rape dozens of victims," according to a federal indictment filed in New York.

They were arrested Wednesday in Miami. The charges come in the wake of a string of lawsuits accusing the brothers of rape and sexual assault.

'Drugged' victims

Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, said all three brothers had used "force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion" in sexually assaulting women for more than a decade.

"This conduct, as alleged, is heinous," Williams told reporters.

Some of the victims who were drugged found themselves unable to speak or to move, leaving them unable to escape, and were left with partial memories of their assaults, Williams said.

Oren and Alon Alexander were also facing separate sexual battery charges in Miami Beach, according to arrest warrants made public Wednesday afternoon.

"Oren Alexander is innocent," his lawyer, Susan Necheles, told USA TODAY. "The evidence will show that neither he nor his brothers ever committed a crime."

Lawyers for Tal and Alon Alexander could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

Civil lawsuits against the Alexander brothers

The Alexander brothers – telegenic twins Oren and Alon, and their elder brother Tal – have been the subject of several lawsuits by women alleging they were raped and possibly drugged.

Until news broke of the sexual assault allegations, Oren and Alon Alexander were fixtures of the jet set, attending glitzy parties in Miami, New York and partying in the Mediterranean.

Oren and Tal Alexander run the Alexander Team, which boasts of brokering sales worth more than $7 billion in luxury markets including New York, South Florida, and Aspen, Colorado.

“We are glad to hear that there will finally be some measure of accountability for the Alexander brothers and justice for their many victims," the law firm Wigdor LLP, which represents several women who've accused the Alexanders of rape, said in a statement.  "We applaud all the survivors who have had the strength and courage to speak up about their unimaginable experiences after years of pain and suffering.”

Witnesses spoke of 'gang rapes'

In a memo asking a federal judge to deny bail, prosecutors wrote that witnesses and victims told investigators the Alexanders had been raping women since they were in high school.

"Evidence from the investigation, including multiple victim and witness accounts, shows that the Alexander Brothers began engaging in acts of sexual violence, including gang rapes, while still in high school in Miami, Florida," the memo says.

"Each of the victims that the Government has interviewed from this period reported hearing that individuals involved −including Tal Alexander − talked about the assaults at school, boasting about 'running train' on their victims and saying that they wanted to 'do it again.'"

New York Magazine cited witnesses in an August article who said the brothers often spoke of "running a train," slang for the act of gang rape, when they were in school.

In their senior year at Michael M. Krop Senior High School in North Miami, Oren and Alon Alexander's yearbook included a page with the question, “What was your most memorable moment at Krop?”

According to New York Magazine, Oren Alexander replied: “Riding my first ‘choo-choo’ train.”

The twins graduated in 2005.

Eleven years later, as Tal, Oren and Alon Alexander planned a 2016 trip to Tulum, Mexico, with male friends, women flown in for entertainment, and drugs including GHB − considered a "date rape" drug under federal law − the term appeared again in a group chat.

"I don’t want anyone being upset if they don’t run a 10 man train," an unidentified member of the group wrote.

Miami charges

In affidavits, Miami Beach Police detectives accused Alon Alexander in the October 2021 group sexual assault of a woman lured to a luxury apartment on Miami Beach's beachfron Collins Avenue under the pretext of attending a barbeque. Oren Alexander also joined that assault, the victim told Miami Beach Police Det. David Alvarez. An Alexander cousin, Ohad Fisherman, is at large, Dade County prosecutors said.

More than 30 women have alleged they were raped by Oren Alexander, Alon Alexander, or both brothers, according to a lawsuit filed by model Angelica Parker.

Parker charged that she was raped by Alon and Tal Alexander in 2012 while their brother Oren watched. They denied the allegations.

No bail, prosecutors urge

In a letter to U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni, prosecutors asked that the three brothers be held without bail., citing the nature of the crimes they're accused of, their wealth and close connections to Israel, where extradition to the U.S. can be a "drawn-out" process.

"After relying on their substantial wealth and connections to carry out and conceal their crimes for years, all three defendants now face charges carrying potential sentences in prison of fifteen years to life," assistant U.S. attorneys Kaiya Arroyo and Elizabeth A. Espinosa wrote.

The three brothers "pose an ongoing and significant danger to the community and present a serious risk of flight," the prosecutors said.

[tiggymalvern]

Burn Notice - Sam and Elsa

I've decided to make this a new post instead of a reblog, since it didn't have much connection to all the other stuff we were talking about. @darkskywishes referred to Sam and Elsa getting a happy ending in the show, and I've actually been giving this a lot of thought over the last several days, because I'm splitting them up in the fic I'm writing right now, for plot reasons (I wrote some of the relevant scene this morning). But the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that relationship's not going to survive too long after the series finale. So here's the plot of Burn Notice from Elsa's perspective. She's a successful businesswoman, owner of some serious Miami real estate. She meets this guy who's funny, charming, and canonically good in bed XD. He carries a couple of concealed weapons, but he's ex-miltary, he's got all the permits, and this is Florida, so unremarkable enough. He does some kind of freelance work that means he keeps odd hours, and sometimes he gets a phone call and takes off at a moment's notice, breaking their dinner plans. But hey, she's busy too, she understands how work sometimes eats into personal time, she owns an empire. It's actually pretty convenient - neither of them are clingy, neither of them place too many demands on the other's time, and it all works really well. After a while, it's working so well, it's not just casual fun any more, they're actually serious. He tells her a bit more about the freelance work he does with his friends - it's obvious he's not telling her everything, but she doesn't tell him all the details about her business either, it's just not that interesting. But they help out people who find themselves with problems, and it sounds like they're doing a good thing. She doesn't really get to meet these friends of his much, but she spends a lot of time running her business, so it's not a big deal. And occasionally the staff mention some odd people who turn up asking for her boyfriend, and whatever, his job is his business. And then suddenly her boyfriend and his friends are criminals? She's got the CIA and the FBI up in ALL her shit, telling her that they're murderers and kidnappers and god knows what else, and her boyfriend's telling her the whole thing's some huge misunderstanding. He tells her how much he loves her, that he and his friends need to sneak out of the US for a while, but he'll be back as soon as they've got everything straightened out. And she knows he's a decent guy, not what the cops are telling her, so she believes him. A month or two later, he does come back, and in between he got shot??? And he can't really explain much of it; he says some of it's classified and the CIA made him sign a gag order, but everything's been sorted. The CIA and the FBI seem to be leaving them both alone now, so that sounds like it's true, and she loves him and trusts him and everything goes back to the way it was. Until a year later, when the exact same thing happens again. Her boyfriend and his friends are all over the TV as the subjects of a manhunt, this time as suspected terrorists. He disappears, and then re-emerges a few days or weeks later (the show timeline's unclear there, but my guess would be closer to weeks), once again saying it was all a big misunderstanding and everything's fine now. No, he couldnt call, he was in jail. No, not the kind of jail where people get to have lawyers and visitors, more the Guantanamo kind of jail. But this second time around it sounds a whole lot less convincing, doesn't it? How could the same unfortunate big misunderstanding happen to the same people twice??? And absolutely nothing has changed. He's still keeping unusual hours, still getting phone calls that require him to drop everything and run. He still has odd friends and acquaintances, though he has less of them now because some of them are DEAD. Does she stay with him? Does she really? Does he still seem as funny and charming as when they first met? Add to that the damage to her business and her professional reputation, when her colleagues and partners are whispering behind her back about how she's shacked up with that terrorist dude from the news. And the non-zero possibility that at some point, after yet another argument when she's asking her boyfriend what the hell he's actually doing and how dangerous is it, is he going to get shot again or killed? That after one too many of those, when she's upset and wavering over whether or not to kick him out, her son might give her the full details about the time he and her boyfriend stole a drug lord's ecstasy lab truck and drove it to Miami while being shot at... Sorry. I just can't believe Sam and Elsa are going the distance. Yes, it was Elsa who told Sam not to abandon his friends the first time they were all being hunted, but that was the FIRST time. She didn't expect it to become a regular thing. She's a businesswoman, not a martyr. And she did NOT sign up for this to be the rest of her life.

[thelawofficeofaudreyehrhardt]

Estate Planning Services Florida | Ehrhardt Law PLLC

Secure your legacy with Ehrhardt Law PLLC's Estate Planning Services in Florida. Our expert team provides customized solutions to protect your assets and ensure your wishes are honored. Plan for the future confidently with our professional guidance.

[perlinestateplanningandprobate]

Why You Need a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer: A Guide to Securing Your Future

Our Florida estate planning attorneys are dedicated to helping you protect your wealth, provide for your family, and create a lasting legacy. We specialize in drafting comprehensive estate plans that include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and more. By working closely with you, we develop a plan that ensures your wishes are fulfilled and minimizes legal complications for your loved ones after your passing. Our goal is to streamline the estate planning process and help you navigate Florida’s complex laws with ease. Contact us for a personalized consultation and secure your family's future today.

[youngstrawberryblaze]

Understanding the Legal Requirements for Small Businesses with a Lawyer Near Me

Running a small business can be exciting, but it also comes with challenges. If you own a small business, you need to know the rules and regulations that apply to your business. This can be confusing, but understanding these rules is super important to avoid getting into trouble. In this blog, we'll discuss why it's important to follow the law and the common legal rules small businesses need to know. We’ll also share a few tips on how to find a good "small business lawyer near me" to help you.

Why Legal Compliance is Important for Small Businesses

Following the law isn’t just a must; it’s essential to keep your business safe and successful. Your business could get into big trouble if you don’t.

Here’s why it’s important to follow the law:

Avoiding fines and penalties — If you don’t follow the law, you could be fined or punished, which can cost you a lot of money.

Building trust with customers and partners — People are more likely to trust your business when you follow the rules. This can help you get more customers and business partners.

Protecting business assets — Following the law helps protect your business's essential assets. This includes your brand, contracts, and money.

Ensuring smooth operations — Your business can run smoothly without legal issues slowing down.

Common Legal Requirements for Small Businesses

There are some basic rules and regulations that every small business owner needs to know about. Here are the most common ones:

Registration and Licensing

Before starting your business, register it with the government and get the right licenses and permits. There are different ways to set up your business, each with its own rules.

Sole proprietorship — This is the simplest way to start a business. But you’re personally responsible for any problems.

Partnership — Two or more people share the business, including profits and responsibilities.

Corporation — This is a more complex setup. But it protects you from being personally responsible for business problems.

LLC (Limited Liability Company) — This setup protects you from personal responsibility and is easier to manage.

Tax Obligations

Every business has to pay taxes, which you pay to the government.

Income tax — All businesses must report and pay taxes on their income.

Sales tax — If your business sells products or services, you might need to collect and pay sales tax.

Employment taxes — If you have employees, you must pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.

Intellectual Property

Your business’s ideas and brand are valuable, so it’s essential to protect them.

Trademarks — This protects your business name, logo, and branding from being copied by others.

Copyrights — This protects your business's original work, like written content or designs.

Patents — This protects your inventions so others can’t steal your ideas.

Consumer Protection Laws

These laws help ensure your customers are treated fairly and their information is safe.

Fairtrade practices — Don’t use tricks or unfair methods to sell your products or services.

Product liability — Make sure your products are safe to use so you don’t get into legal trouble.

Consumer privacy — Protect your customers’ personal information and follow privacy laws.

Contract Law

Contracts are agreements between your business and other people. Understanding these agreements is important.

Business contracts — These agreements help ensure everyone knows what to expect in a business deal.

Vendor agreements — These are contracts with suppliers and other companies you work with.

Employment contracts — These agreements help protect you and your employees by clearly stating job duties and pay.

Finding a Lawyer Near Me: Tips for Choosing the Right Legal Help

Having a trustworthy lawyer is vital for ensuring your business follows the law.  If you’re looking for a "small business lawyer near me," here’s what to look for:

Experience and expertise —  Choose a lawyer who knows a lot about the laws that affect small businesses.

Communication skills — Your lawyer should be able to explain things clearly so you can understand.

Fees and billing structure — Make sure you know how much the lawyer charges and that it fits your budget.

Reputation and referrals — Look for a lawyer with good reviews and ask other business owners for recommendations.

Role of a Lawyer in Legal Compliance

A lawyer can help your business follow the law and avoid problems. They can advise you to keep your business on the right track. Lawyers ensure your contracts and other documents are correct and protect your interests. If your company has to go to court, a lawyer will represent you.

Providing legal advice and guidance

Drafting and reviewing legal documents

Representing the business in legal proceedings

Helping with legal research and analysis

Ensuring ongoing compliance with legal requirements

Keep Your Business Safe with the Right Legal Support

Following the law is important for keeping your business safe and successful. By understanding and working with a good lawyer, you protect your business and your future. Don’t wait until something goes wrong—get legal advice now. If you’re looking for a "small business lawyer near me," Grivas Law Group P.A. is here to help. Contact us today to make sure your business is on the right path.

[lawofficeofryansshipp]

A Floridian Landlord's Playbook for Overcoming Common Rental Hurdles

    Florida Eviction Lawyers Hey there, fellow Landlord,   Diving into the world of Florida real estate can be as thrilling as a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral. Here’s my personal guide, honed from years in the trenches, to help you navigate the common ups and downs of renting out property. Ensuring Rent Arrives on Time We’ve all felt the sting of late rent payments. Clear communication about…

[eestateandtrust]

Was your Estate Plan Prepared in Another State?

Just moved to Florida recently with your family? As a non-Florida resident, is your estate plan made out of the state? If yes, then you might need to update it. Learn more about why and how you can update your estate plan as a Florida resident so that your revised estate plan complies with Florida state laws.

[jostockjostockpa]

Facing Probate or Trust Litigation Issues in Naples? Here’s What You Need to Know!

Managing a family estate, ensuring smooth probate proceedings, and protecting wealth through effective tax planning requires careful attention to detail and deep legal expertise. The world of probate, trust administration, and taxation can be overwhelming, especially for those with significant assets or complex family situations. At Jostock & Jostock, P.A., we specialize in helping individuals and families in Naples, Florida, navigate these legal challenges with precision, ensuring your interests are protected and your estate is handled efficiently. Our probate lawyers are seasoned in addressing the intricacies of probate estates, trust litigation, and probate taxation, making us your trusted partner for these essential services.

Understanding the Complexities of Probate Taxation

Probate taxation is one of the most intricate aspects of estate planning, especially when managing high-net-worth estates, family businesses, or complex asset structures. The importance of having a seasoned probate taxation attorney by your side cannot be overstated. Whether you are an executor, trustee, or beneficiary, understanding how federal and state taxes impact your estate is vital to ensuring that your wealth is distributed efficiently.

At Jostock & Jostock, our Naples probate attorneys are highly skilled in the preparation of estate, gift, and generation-skipping tax returns. We provide comprehensive assistance with estate tax planning to minimize your liability and ensure that your estate plan aligns with the current tax laws. We know that managing the tax implications of an estate involves far more than simply preparing documents; it’s about minimizing your estate’s tax burden while ensuring that your wealth is preserved for future generations.

Our experienced team works with fiduciaries to ensure that all filings, including federal and state estate tax returns, are handled properly and efficiently. Additionally, we provide representation for probate estate audits and resolve any tax controversies that may arise during the probate process. Taxation issues can quickly become complex, and having a skilled team to handle these matters on your behalf is essential to ensure compliance with the IRS and protect your family’s legacy.

Comprehensive Probate and Trust Litigation Services

Probate and trust litigation is another area where our Naples probate lawyers excel. Disputes over estate planning documents, mismanagement of trust funds, or allegations of undue influence can derail the probate process and cause significant financial and emotional strain. Our firm has extensive experience representing clients in contested wills, trusts, and estate disputes, ensuring that your interests are represented in any probate or trust matter, no matter how complex.

At Jostock & Jostock, we represent a wide range of clients, including beneficiaries, fiduciaries, heirs, and family members, in probate and trust disputes. We work tirelessly to resolve disagreements through mediation and negotiation, but when litigation is necessary, we are fully prepared to fight for the best outcome in court.

Some of the most common issues that can lead to probate and trust litigation include:

Undue influence: A claim that someone improperly influenced the decedent's decisions regarding their will or trust.

Breach of fiduciary duty: When a fiduciary (such as an executor or trustee) fails to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries or improperly manages the estate or trust.

Will and trust contests: Challenges to the validity of a will or trust, often based on accusations of fraud, lack of capacity, or improper execution.

Misappropriation of assets: When assets are improperly transferred or diverted, causing harm to the estate or trust beneficiaries.

Tortious interference with testamentary expectancy: When a third party unlawfully interferes with the estate or trust, causing beneficiaries to lose their rightful inheritance.

Our probate litigation team is highly skilled in handling all aspects of probate disputes, including disputes regarding the interpretation and enforcement of wills and trusts. We work diligently to protect the interests of our clients, whether we are defending a will contest or asserting a claim for breach of fiduciary duty. At Jostock & Jostock, we are committed to resolving probate and trust disputes efficiently, preserving your family’s wealth and legacy.

Guardianship and Elder Law Services

In addition to our probate litigation and taxation expertise, we also offer services related to guardianships for minors and disabled adults. Guardianship matters can be complex and emotionally charged, and often require legal intervention to ensure that vulnerable individuals are cared for and protected.

Our Naples probate attorneys are experienced in the guardianship process and can guide you through the various stages, from establishing a guardianship to contesting one, as well as managing ongoing guardianship responsibilities such as accountings and compliance with court orders.

We represent clients in:

Contested guardianship proceedings: Disputes over who should serve as a guardian for a minor or disabled adult.

Establishment of guardianships: Ensuring that the legal process is followed correctly to appoint a guardian for someone in need of care.

Ongoing guardianship administration: Assisting guardians in complying with court requirements, including reporting and accountings.

Elder law: Addressing issues related to aging and incapacity, including long-term care planning, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.

Key Services Provided by Jostock & Jostock

Our firm offers a comprehensive range of legal services to assist you with probate estates, trusts, taxation issues, and litigation matters. Some of our key areas of service include:

Estate Administration: We provide full support throughout the probate process, including filing necessary documents, managing asset distribution, and resolving any disputes that arise.

Probate Taxation: Our team prepares estate tax returns and ensures compliance with state and federal tax laws. We also offer strategic tax planning to minimize liabilities and maximize the value of your estate.

Probate and Trust Litigation: We represent clients in contested estates, including disputes over wills, trusts, and breaches of fiduciary duty. We fight to protect your interests and resolve conflicts in the most efficient way possible.

Guardianship: Our attorneys provide legal assistance in establishing, contesting, and administering guardianships for minors and disabled adults, ensuring that vulnerable individuals are cared for.

Will and Trust Contests: We help clients contest or defend wills and trusts, ensuring that they are enforced according to the decedent’s true intentions.

Asset Recovery: We help recover missing assets, including through quiet title actions and other legal means, to ensure that estate and trust assets are properly distributed.

Why Choose Jostock & Jostock, P.A.?

When it comes to probate estates, trust litigation, and taxation issues, Jostock & Jostock is one of the most trusted names in Naples, Florida. Our team of experienced attorneys brings decades of combined legal expertise to the table, ensuring that we can effectively handle even the most complex probate and estate planning matters.

Here’s why you should choose us:

Experience and Expertise: Our team has handled a wide range of probate estates, trust disputes, and taxation issues, from high-net-worth estates to complex family business matters.

Personalized Attention: We take the time to understand your unique situation and tailor our legal strategies to meet your specific needs.

Compassionate Service: We understand that dealing with estate matters can be emotional and stressful, and we are committed to providing compassionate and supportive legal guidance every step of the way.

Results-Driven: We are focused on achieving the best possible outcome for our clients, whether that’s resolving a trust dispute, reducing estate taxes, or successfully defending your fiduciary duties.

Contact Jostock & Jostock Today

If you’re dealing with a probate estate, need assistance with estate taxes, or are involved in probate litigation in Naples, Florida, the experienced attorneys at Jostock & Jostock, P.A. are ready to assist you. We offer comprehensive legal services that can help protect your family’s wealth, resolve disputes, and guide you through the complexities of probate law.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can assist you with your probate, trust, and taxation matters. Let us put our extensive experience to work for you, so you can focus on what matters most—your family’s future.

[beardedmrbean]

Elvis Presley's home of Graceland will not be hitting the auction block on Thursday after all.

In a hearing Wednesday that only lasted about eight minutes, Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins adjourned the sale of Graceland, saying, "The notary has sworn that the notary did not notarize the signature of Lisa Marie Presley on the deed of trust, which brings into question the authenticity of the signature."

The hearing on Wednesday in Tennessee was set to determine whether a dubious entity could proceed with an advertised plan to auction off the late singer's estate in Memphis.MORE: Battle for Graceland heads to court

Actress Riley Keough, Presley's granddaughter, was trying to stop a company called Naussany Investments and Private Lending LLC from conducting an auction outside the Shelby County Courthouse on Thursday at noon.

Keough is alleging the company presented fraudulent documents last September "purporting to show that Lisa Marie Presley had borrowed $3.8 million from Naussany Investments and gave a deed of trust encumbering Graceland as security," according to the court documents obtained by Memphis ABC affiliate WATN.

Keough is being represented by attorneys based in Memphis and Jacksonville, Florida. Both lawyers declined to comment to ABC News. It is not yet clear whether Naussany Investments has an attorney.

Jenkins said "Gregory Naussany" of Jacksonville filed a one-page motion for continuance and Jenkins denied the motion Wednesday.

"The court will adjourn the sale as requested because one, the real estate is considered unique under Tennessee law and in being unique, the loss of the real estate would be considered irreparable harm," Jenkins said.

Jenkins added, "Graceland is a part of this community, well loved by this community and indeed around the world."