Author Archives: Jay Butchko
If You Don’t Want Your Spouse To Claim An Elective Share Of Your Estate, Don’t Leave Any Ambiguities In Your Estate Plan
Although the idea of spouses being financially independent of each other has become more popular in society, the society still treats married people as though they have a legal obligation to support their spouses financially. The court will award you to pay alimony if your spouse has no other means of financial support, meaning… Read More »
Late In Life Divorce Is Simpler Than Dealing With An Estranged Spouse During Probate
In a marriage that lasts decades, no one is happy every minute, but people’s reasons vary regarding whether to divorce or to stay together. Some value family unity and do not want to complicate their relationships with their children, grandchildren, and in-laws. Others decide that life is too short to spend their golden years… Read More »
Single Ladies Of Modest Means, Choose Your Own Estate Planning Adventure
You don’t need to search for news reports that specifically address age and gender discrimination, because evidence of these types of discrimination are everywhere. Just look at how big of a business med spas are, not least in image-conscious Florida. Whether you color your gray hair is no one’s business but yours, but it… Read More »
The Only Thing Worse Than Not Updating Your Will Is Not Updating The Beneficiaries Of Your Non-Probate Assets
‘Tis the season when adults who plan to spend the holidays together make noises about not wanting to exchange gifts but end up doing it, anyway. In an effort to avoid gifts that will just end up as clutter in the recipients’ houses, you endeavor to buy your siblings practical gifts. It was mighty… Read More »
Got Long-Term Care Insurance? You Can Live Out Your Days In A Posh Assisted Living Resort!
Two of Thomas Mann’s novels, both written on the eve of the First World War, are set in popular destinations for people seeking to improve their health. One of them is set in a modestly priced city on the Italian coast, where the warm climate attracts visitors from colder parts of Europe; the main… Read More »
Millennials And Estate Planning: Another Mountain Of Bad News And One Piece Of Good News
If there is anyone who cannot wait for 2021 to be over, it is millennials. Just as we didn’t need any more bad news, along comes the omicron variant to keep our kids, even the ones who are old enough for the COVID vaccine, cooped up inside for another winter, away from the Florida… Read More »
What’s Next For Gift Tax Exclusions And Estate Taxes?
‘Tis the season when many financially secure parents engage in a back-and-forth about holiday gifts with their children who are probably living paycheck to paycheck, despite their efforts to keep their parents from discovering this fact. The conversation usually starts out with a gentle proposal not to give holiday gifts this year and subtle… Read More »
Granny Flats Are A Hot Commodity In The Tampa Bay Area
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) skyrocketed in popularity during the pandemic. When most places are closed, and seniors were hesitant to visit supermarkets outside of senior hours, people wished to get out of the house without going to a public place. For people who could afford them, ADUs provided the perfect solution. They could be… Read More »
Don’t Repeat The Old Generation’s Mistakes With Your Digital Estate Plan
The subgenre of jokes about old people and technology predates the first generation of the iPhone, but a digital estate plan is no laughing matter. Seeing the incredulity on your grandparents’ faces when you describe to them the difference between Instagram and Tik Tok is certainly fun, and so is going to your mother’s… Read More »
For Optimal Retirement Income, Withdraw Money From Your Investment Accounts First
While you are still in your prime working years, decisions related to maximizing your retirement income relate to increasing your earnings and living below your means, so that you can put as much of your income as possible toward retirement accounts and investments on which you can draw after you retire. From this perspective,… Read More »
