Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Civil Cases vs Criminal Cases: What’s the Difference?
In the U.S. legal system, when you file a lawsuit, it generally falls into one of two main categories: civil litigation, or criminal litigation. While both types of lawsuits use the court system, criminal cases and civil suits are not the same. These suits come into play in different scenarios, and serve different purposes,… Read More »
Does my Joint Bank Account Go Through Florida Probate?
The easiest way to tell if an asset must go through the Florida probate process after a loved one has passed away is to determine whether the asset was held in your loved one’s name only. Generally, any property that was under the sole ownership of a person who has passed away will have… Read More »
How Trust Structures Create Probate Conflict: And How to Stop it
Settling a Florida estate often involves resolving terms of both trusts, as well as the last will and testament. However, not every estate plan is created equal: and not all trusts operate the same way. Trust disputes all too frequently arise in the midst of probate. Disputes, such as whether a trust was revocable… Read More »
Key Florida Real Estate Laws Every Investor Should Know
Florida is seen by many as the tropical paradise it can be. It is the vacation destination of dreams for many, and the final destination chosen by many retirees to be their home in their golden years. The desire to “be” in Florida means that real property in Florida can offer a real value… Read More »
Types of Contract Breach 101
Every small business understands the importance of each of their contracts, even more so than large corporations. A business’s lifeblood is the contracts they fill – a contract being a valid, legal and binding promise struck between two or more parties to give/receive services in exchange for something of value, some “consideration”. The failure… Read More »
Smart Gifting in Estate Planning
Smart gifting in estate planning isn’t just about generosity, it is one of the most overlooked strategies that can benefit your estate plan. If done properly, utilizing gifting in your estate plan can reduce your estate’s tax exposure, protect your assets, and allow you to provide support and security to your family. However, it… Read More »
What Businesses Must Know about Contract Consideration
A business lives and dies based on its contracts. Understanding contracts, particularly as a small business, is absolutely vital to ensuring the health and longevity of your business. Ensuring your contracts are binding, and protecting yourself when the are formed, is key. Too many small businesses have paid the price of trying to enforce… Read More »
Preparing Your Estate for Coming Storms
No one can argue that living in Florida can be a dream. Crystal coasts, mild winters… there is the hiccup, of course, of the reality that Florida experiences its fair share of natural disasters. Natural disasters took prime focus on the world stage recently when Russia experienced an 8.8 magnitude earthquake. The sixth largest… Read More »
The Florida Escheatment Process
Not many people are familiar with the word “escheatment” – but the idea or fear that you could lose property to the state upon your death, your loved ones never receiving what you would leave to them – is probably an idea as old as the country itself. If not older. The Florida escheatment… Read More »
Does Having a Will mean my Estate will Avoid Probate?
Building a lasting estate plan might feel overwhelming – but fear not. The experienced legal team at Suncoast Civil Law have helped countless clients through every step of the process, and have answers for all of your probate and estate planning questions. One of the most common questions initially asked by those just starting… Read More »