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Questions Answered by Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Is there set language for a ladybird deed in Florida or is it creative writing after the basics are set forth?
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Aug 9, 2023

There is specific language for a lady bird deed to be valid. I lady bird which is valid in Florida, but not in many other states, is essentially an enhanced life estate deed. I suggest you retain a Fl. Lawyer to draft it.

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: If my father-in-law's name is on a camper title with my wife and I does that make the camper part of his estate?
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Mar 16, 2023

It will depend on how it is titled. If the wording is and/or. If it is or, it can pass without it being an asset of the estate. Otherwise the partial interest would be considered an asset of the estate.

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: I am the beneficiary in my spouse's will. I am changing my whole name, first name and adding his last name.

how will this affect the current will that i am the beneficiary, does the will has to be updated with my new name or can it stay as it is?

We reside in FLorida.

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Mar 4, 2022

Will could be redone to add a/k/a next to your name. Will would have to be resigned and witnessed and that would be true with a codicil. Any change requires it to be reexecuted with same formality as before. If you do nothing and it went to probate you would have to provide evidence of the name... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law and Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: I have 4 sons. 1 son is coming to live and care for me I am 80. When I pass I want to be sure that he can continue to

live in the house until he dies or can no longer then house passes to the other 3

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Jan 28, 2022

You could give the son who is living with you a Live Estate and then have the other sons and him be the remaindermen so they would get the property when you die. This can be done through a deed.

Ellen DeutschTaylor

727 365-3121

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for Florida on
Q: I am a low income senior and can't find anyone to notarize the will I created on-line. Who can help me?

I was told there is a new law in Florida stating citizens must use an attorney for notarizing wills. Is this true?

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Dec 27, 2021

Wills must be witnessed by two people and notarized if you are using a self proving clause. You should have your will reviewed by an attorney to make sure it complies with Florida law.

Ellen Deutsch Taylor

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Family Law and Banking for Florida on
Q: Hello, My mother who passed away 2 years ago and I opened a bank account in Montreal, Canada 8 years ago.

It is joint with rights of survivorship, we specifically wanted to have access to it regardless if one of us died. Now the bank has frozen the accounts after I innocently mentioned to them of her passing since i thought i was in my right. They are saying that there is no rights of survivorship in... View More

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Dec 15, 2021

You will need to contact a Canadian lawyer but I would definitely not rely on information from a bank employee.

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: I became a resident of Florida. Will the irrevocable trust, which i had done in NY, be binding in the state of Fl?
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Dec 10, 2021

It would probably be administered under NY law.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Do i need to probate

My mom had no will.She has no estate or assets besides her car. My sister says i can have the car. do we need to probate?

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Nov 6, 2021

How do you plan to get title to the car? You may still have to do a small estate probate. Did your mom own any real estate? I suggest you do a consultation with an estate attorney.

Ellen Deutsch Taylor

727 365-3121

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Constitutional Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: Is there any possible scenario that would allow for second cousins to inherit under intestate succession?

If a Decedent died intestate and was never married, had no kids, no surviving parents or grandparents and no surviving aunts/uncles, or issue thereof, is there any possible scenario that would allow for the next of kin collateral heirs (being descendants of great-grandparents, ie. second cousins)... View More

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Oct 26, 2021

Yes it is possible. The order of intestate succession is spelled out in the Florida Probate Code. It would be very rare for any assets to escheat to the state when there are living beneficiaries under the laws of succession.

Ellen Taylor, esq.

727 365-3121

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: If I received money from escrow and homeowners but also got the house should that amount be taken off my final amount?

My significant other passed away, we were together 17 years. The house was deeded by QC deed to me, I am also to receive half of any remaining money in his accounts. I received money for escrow and homeowners insurance previously, his mother is the personal representative, she is deducting the... View More

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Oct 6, 2021

There are a lot of complicated issues here. A personal representative is the same as an executor-it’s the term used in Florida for the same function. The fact that you were with your partner for a long time is not relevant because there is no common law marriage in Florida. The first question... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Health Care Law and Insurance Defense for Florida on
Q: My father recently passed away after a 3 weeks in the hospital. During that time, the hospital tried to get him approved
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Sep 14, 2021

If you are asking if he was approved for Medicaid, more information is needed. Without more details, it is impossible to answer the question.

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: I want to make changes to my will. Do I have to consult with a lawyer for the changes or what needs to be done?
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Jul 30, 2021

You can make changes to your will either by codicil or by doing a new will. If you do any changes, it has to be executed in the same manner as before with two witnesses and a notary for a self proving will.

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: My father passed in 2016. I have not talked to my stepmother since. What are state laws for inheritance?
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Jul 4, 2021

I would need additional information in order to provide an accurate answer. Did your father have a will? Was a probate done of his estate? If your step mother was the surviving spouse, she was entitled to receive some benefits. Was there real property involved? You really need to speak to a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: If it states in a will that my father wished to bequest nothing to me do i still get anything by law in Georgia?

My father passed in feb and my sister came up with a new will after 20 yrs of the old one being in place back in dec do i get anything and how do i find out if that will my sister has is real or not.

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on Jun 1, 2021

If she tries to get the will admitted for probate, you can attempt to contest it, if you have valid reasons to believe he was under duress or not competent when it was executed.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: If named as a beneficiary in a will, am I entitled to a copy of said will?
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on May 24, 2021

If the will is being probated, you should receive a notice of the probate.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Tax Law for South Carolina on
Q: My daughter died at age 35 in Florida, 401K left to dead Grandmother, Grandad still alive. Does it go to him or estate?

They were married at her death and he was her beneficiary of life insurance in SC.

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on May 19, 2021

Any account or life insurance that has a beneficiary goes directly to beneficiary outside of a probate. You didn't mention if she owned Florida real estate or if she had a will. Different rules would apply for intestate or homestead property.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: My stepfather died in Florida without a will. My mother died shortly before him. Who gets the house?

We always discussed that I would inherit the house and my stepfather has no relatives. I'm told now they're going back to the 1850s to find a relative. How long do companies that search for ancestors have to show a blood heir? I'm taking care of the house at the moment and have... View More

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on May 12, 2021

Without a will, the estate is intestate and must follow the order of succession in the Florida probate code. Did your stepfather legally adopt you? Did he have any natural children or siblings? Are his parents alive? Unless you were legally adopted, you are not entitled to anything and the Probate... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Tax Law and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: I have a will. Is it also necessary to have a beneficiary designation on file with the manager of my IRA account?

My will covers all of my assets and is not very complex, but the investment company that manages my IRA account has a beneficiary form which doesn't allow the same amount of detail. Upon my death, is it likely that there will be financial, e.g. tax, implications if no beneficiary designation... View More

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on May 7, 2021

You want to have designated beneficiaries on your investment accounts since they will pass outside of any probate and pass automatically to your beneficiary upon your passing.

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Maryland on
Q: my mother is in the hospital incapacitated. she does not have a will. we're five siblings. we need a power of attorney

mom is physically unable but has retained some cognitive responses. she's unable to speak, only nods her head. we need help from willing attorney to come to the hospital in Germantown.

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on May 3, 2021

You don’t say whether she is physically or mentally incapacitated. If she is mentally incapacitated she can give someone a power of attorney since she lacks the requisite mental ability to give someone a valid power of attorney. If she is physically incapacitated she should give the power of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: about to close on a lot sellers from IL (jon doe sally sellers trust) they do not have copy of trust and cant close

title is asking to either see copy of trust for trust affidavit. sellers are from IL and lawyer that drew up trust in 2013 is retired and office doesnt have a copy. sellers names are written as john doe and sally sellers trust. the lot they are selling is in Florida. the seller told me he is the... View More

Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
Ellen S Deutsch Taylor
answered on May 1, 2021

There is really nothing you can do since the title company will not close the transaction. Someone needs to find a copy of the trust documents to prove they have the right to sell the property. Otherwise you will have to have them go to court to clear the title.

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