Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Signs a Will May Be Fraudulent or Forged
A beloved family member’s death is often one of the most devastating events a person will face in their life. Unfortunately, there are things that may happen during this time that can make matters even worse. One example is the possibility of a forged or fraudulent will. When a loved one passes away, they… Read More »
Notice of Administration in Probate
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the last thing you may want to deal with during your grief is paperwork from the Florida probate court. Still, if you receive a Notice of Administration, it’s important to pay close attention. This notice outlines key rights, deadlines, and responsibilities in the probate process. Ignoring… Read More »
Can I Use a No-Contest Clause in a Will?
It is suggested that everyone has some sort of estate plan in place. While many people choose a will, sometimes that’s not even enough. You have to think of the possible drama that may occur. When drafting an estate plan, one of the biggest concerns is preventing disputes after you’re gone. Even though only… Read More »
Personal Representative Duties in Probate
After a person dies, their estate typically has to go through probate. Probate is the process of settling a deceased person’s estate, particularly their assets and debts. Not all assets have to go through probate. Some examples include assets held in a living trust, assets with a designated beneficiary (like life insurance policies or… Read More »
Trustee Duties
In most cases, a person dies with a will (or maybe they die with no will at all). In some cases, though, a deceased person may have a trust in place. When a person has a living trust, a trustee manages their assets upon their death. A trustee is a person or entity legally… Read More »
Florida Rent Control Laws
When it comes to disputes between landlords and tenants, there is often one main factor: money. Specifically, the arguments tend to center on rent increases. In some areas, rent increases every year. From 2011 to 2019, rent costs increased less than 3% per year. In 2022, after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, rent… Read More »
Proposed Amendments to Florida Probate Laws
Sometimes state laws change over time. Some changes are being proposed for certain probate laws. The Florida Probate Rules Committee proposes amendments to the following rules: Rule 5.025 (Adversary Proceedings), Rule 5.122 (Curators), Rule 5.200 (Petition for Administration), Rule 5.320 (Oath of Personal Representative), and Rule 5.470 (Ancillary Administration): The amendment to Rule 5.025… Read More »
What Divorced People Wished They Would Have Done Differently
In the heat of the moment, many people threaten divorce. Roughly half of all marriages go through it. While most people move on with no regrets, some people wish they would have done things differently before filing. Marriage is hard work and a lot of couples give in too early. As time goes on,… Read More »
The Damage of Divorce on Children
Divorce is a major event that has emotional and financial ramifications for the spouses involved. Of course, researchers and child experts say that divorce is damaging to children as well. But is it because of the parents or the divorce itself? A new paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) looks at… Read More »
Preventing Divorce in an Executive Marriage
Being a high-powered executive of a major company can be exciting. But of course, such a career comes at a price. There are no doubt long hours and constant travel involved. All this time away from home puts a strain on these CEOs’ marriages. In many cases, both spouses are employed, causing additional pressure… Read More »