Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Think Twice Before Depending On Your Kids To Be Your Caregivers In Your Old Age
If you grew up in a multigenerational household, you probably have fond memories of family togetherness. You could find a friend in your grandparents when your parents were too impatient with your childish behavior, and your parents understood what the then-contemporary world was like in ways that your grandparents did not. You remember the… Read More »
The Student Loan Debt Crisis Is Coming Soon To Retirees
Living paycheck to paycheck gets old quickly, and by the time gray hairs appear on your head, it is downright exhausting. When you are in your 50s, you are at your peak earning potential, but try not to dwell on that thought for too long, because it is depressing to think that this month’s… Read More »
Medicaid Is for Seniors, Too
When we hear about Medicaid in the news, it is usually in the context where children are the beneficiaries. While Medicaid does provide medical care for the poorest children, the ones who do not have health insurance and whose parents cannot afford to pay the children’s medical expenses out of pocket, it also provides… Read More »
Five Things You Should Do To Provide For A Surviving Spouse
The late, great Benjamin Franklin famously said that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. Many people spend infinitely more time on tax planning than death planning. Most people don’t want to come face to face with their own mortality. That sentiment is understandable, but given the inevitability of death, irresponsible. No… Read More »
Is the Eternal Youth Of 420 Friendly Seniors Just An Illusion?
Florida’s reputation as a paradise for potheads has a history almost as long as its reputation as a paradise for seniors. Perhaps only California, Amsterdam, and Tangier give Florida a run for its money as 420 friendly destinations. You know what else has been around a long time and is going to stick around… Read More »
How Do I Make Changes To An Existing Will?
As a rule of thumb, most people should change their wills at least once every five years. More frequent changes are necessary if the testator (persona who makes a will) undergoes major life changes, such as having a child or grandchild, or a financial reversal of fortune (positive or negative). Executing a will in… Read More »
Seven Kinds Of Trusts In Florida
The seven most common kinds of trusts in Florida have different specific purposes. But the overall purposes are the same. In most cases, trusts transfer legal ownership of money or other property while leaving the original owner in complete control of that property. Furthermore, property in trust is exempt from the probate process, saving… Read More »
Making And Breaking A Prenuptial Agreement In Florida
A generation ago, most people believed that premarital agreements were little more than divorce insurance. More recently, Millennials have recognized the true value of a premarital agreement. Monetary disputes are a leading cause of divorce. Premarital agreements virtually eliminate the possibility of such disputes. Furthermore, when people sign on the dotted line, something almost… Read More »
How Long Does Probate Take In Florida?
The only honest answer to this question is that the probate process takes longer than you think. Anyone who gives a specific answer to this question is either inexperienced or telling you what you want to hear. Probate is the legal process which transforms a will into an enforceable document. Many people place much… Read More »
How Does Guardianship Work In Florida?
Quite simply, guardians act on behalf of people who, normally due to a disability, cannot act for themselves. Age, either extreme youth (under 18) or extreme age, is the most common guardianship disability. A guardian controls a person’s person or property, and sometimes both person and property. Any Florida resident who meets certain legal… Read More »