Digging For Digital Gold – You’ve Mined Your Bitcoin, Now What?

Posted by on Apr 3, 2018 in asset protection, Misc. |

         Pretty much everyone has heard of Bitcoin, but, for the few who haven’t, Bitcoin is a digital currency that, in order to get, you have to “mine.” You mine Bitcoin by running software that finds the key to open the digital Bitcoin lockbox, so to speak. When your software finds the key, you get twenty-five Bitcoins. This unusual process isn’t the only way to get the coins, however; you can also trade them for fiat (domestic) currency.

Bitcoin is super volatile, but it can be very profitable given the right circumstances. Its price can soar or drop, making it one of the more exciting assets out there. If you’re a Bitcoin investor, first of all, congratulations on being brave. Second, if you consider Bitcoin a part of your assets that you want to hang on to, you can protect them through estate planning.

Bitcoin in Your Estate Plan?

You’ve mined your gold and now want to protect it. Luckily, estate planning is a field that has kept up with this technological advancement, and you are able to protect your Bitcoin the way you would any other, more conventional, asset.

People tend to talk about Bitcoin’s price, not about what you do with it after you die. You store Bitcoin on a computer, whether in cold vault storage, a digital wallet, USB port, or some other digital means. This makes it different than, say, real property, which is held in the corporeal world.

Bitcoin does differ when it comes to trading, as you’re not asked to name a beneficiary when you buy or sell through an exchange, a practice that is common when trading other assets. The anonymity of Bitcoin (no identification required to buy or sell) is another problem, as there’s no information attached to this form of property. Your Bitcoin is just floating around in the computer world, and it needs to be tethered down somehow.

To make sure you’ve got your gold protected, you need to update your documents to include your digital currency, what you want done with it after you die (buy, sell, keep, etc.), and how to access it. If you don’t, this property will end up in probate court, where a judge will distribute it.

Things to Consider

One of the most important things to consider is making sure that your beneficiaries have the ability to access your bitcoin. Give them the private key, password, and whatever else they need to get to your bitcoin. List the different digital holdings you have and how to electronically get to them. If you have your currency locked up and die without giving people instructions on accessing it, it will be gone forever.

Secondly, make sure your beneficiary understands how to manage Bitcoin. Bitcoin, as stated above, is volatile, with tons of swings in price. It’s not for the faint of heart. You can lose or gain a lot of money, depending on what the market decides to do (true, that’s common with many assets, but it’s more pronounced with Bitcoin). Ensure that your beneficiary knows how to handle this currency, and leave them detailed instructions.

Bitcoin is an exciting new currency, and, like any other asset, it needs to be protected and maintained via documents in your estate plan. Consult an attorney today to find out how to best manage your Bitcoin.

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Do It For Your Heart.

Posted by on Feb 21, 2017 in asset protection, estate planning, Misc., Probate, Trusts, Wills |

February is American Heart Health Month.  A full month dedicated to spreading awareness about heart disease, which happens to be the leading cause of death among men and in women in the United States.  This is a scary reality for most Americans who love their pizza, hot dogs and beer but the good news is that this disease is preventable.  You can decrease your chances of suffering from heart disease by making healthier choices, such as exercising more, choosing healthier foods and creating an estate plan!  Well, maybe an estate plan can’t prevent heart disease but it will ensure that your family is taken care should anything happen to you.

Estate planning is important for individuals of all ages, from all backgrounds – no matter if you’re married or single.  By planning today, you eliminate any possible arguments about who gets what, can plan for your children’s future, and even provide for your grandchildren!  A solid estate plan should include the following:

The Revocable Living Trust is a great option for those who wish to avoid probate and provide asset protection for their beneficiaries.  The trust can keep your beneficiaries’ inheritance safe against unsecured creditors and allow them to receive what’s held in trust free of probate.  This is a real advantage since Florida’s probate system is both time consuming and costly.  In addition to probate avoidance, the living trust allows the Grantor to retain control during their life.  They may amend as many times as they wish or revoke entirely.  As life changes, so should your estate plan!

The Last Will and Testament will be included in your plan.  In your will, you will appoint minors on behalf of your children, nominate a personal representative on behalf of your estate and specify your wishes regarding cremation or burial.

The Durable Power of Attorney is a powerful document that is only valid for the duration of your life.  Once signed it will allow the designated individual to make important financial decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to do so yourself.

The Healthcare Surrogate will allow the designated individual to speak with medical staff and assist in making important medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated and unable to do so yourself.  The HIPPA release is included as well to allow for your healthcare surrogate to review medical documents and receive information on your behalf.

You may have the healthiest heart around but that shouldn’t stop you from creating an estate plan.  Call the South Florida Office of Wild, Felice & Partners today at (954) 944-2855 for your free consultation and prepare yourself for the unforeseen.

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Jason Pierre-Paul could lose his NFL career – what could you lose?

Posted by on Oct 2, 2015 in estate planning, Misc., Probate, Trusts, Wills |

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NFL star Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants made headlines this year when he blew off part of his hand during a firework accident. Pierre-Paul went from celebrating a Super Bowl win to wondering if he will remain unsigned and without a career. While he may have lost some fingers and quite possibly his career, at least he didn’t lose his life.

This incident is a reminder of just how unpredictable life can be. Just like Pierre- Paul, you too have worked hard to accumulate your wealth. Now is the time to put in the extra work to protect all that you have worked for. A South Florida Estate Plan is the best way to ensure that you are prepared and your loved ones are protected.

What you need to be protected:

A Living Trust- A trust based plan is the most favorable estate planning option. Unlike a will, a living trust is not subject to probate and remains private upon death. Probate, the process of proving a will, is required by law and is a costly process that can take anywhere from 6 months to over a year.   By creating a trust, your assets will be distributed timely and in the manner that you choose. By choosing the trust you are also choosing to provide maximum protection for both you and your family. Your assets will be protected from possible creditors, litigation and divorce. Other important documents that will be included in your trust based plan include the following:

Last Will & TestamentHere is where you can specify any last wishes, direct any specific assets to beneficiaries and name the individual you want to be the legal guardian for any minor children.

Assignment of Property- By including this document, you can rest assured that all of your property is properly transferred to your trust and that nothing is left behind or subject to probate.

Durable Power of Attorney- Should you ever become hospitalized, disabled or otherwise incapacitated, this written authorization will allow the individual of your choosing to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf.

Living Will &Healthcare Surrogate- With these documents you are able to outline important healthcare decisions in advance. For example, deciding which individual will be appointed to make healthcare decisions on your behalf should you be unable to make them for yourself.

 

Don’t risk losing the wealth you’ve accumulated, protect it. With a living trust you can worry less because your wealth is safe! To learn more about estate planning, probate and asset protection, visit our website at www.wfplaw.com or call 954-944-2855 to schedule your free consultation.

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National 2-1-1 Day

Posted by on Feb 9, 2015 in Misc. |

National 2-1-1 day is right around the corner! 2-1-1 Broward offers a live, 24 –hour comprehensive helpline, and support services to individuals and families in our community seeking crisis intervention assistance and/or information and connections to health and human services in Broward County. The help line offers a wide variety of help from housing, food, financial assistance, to relief from abuse, family issues, depression, childcare and suicide prevention. Every call is immediately connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in the area. Reaching out to someone with personal information may feel a little uncomfortable at first, however it’s important to understand that these skilled counselors are trained to assist you in specialized areas and understand that all information spoken about is confidential.

Some benefits of 2-1-1 Broward include:

Michael Wild as Captain 211

Michael Wild as Captain 211

  • Provides an easy to remember three digit number;
  • Links new residents to the community and helps them access services;
  • Prevents the loss of life through suicide/homicide or abuse;
  • Helps keep families intact;
  • Contributes to the overall well-being of caller and their families;
  • Eliminates confusion and frustration about where to go for help;
  • Improves access to health and human services;
  • Provides information about emergency shelters and evacuation during storms/disasters

 

Michael Wild is the managing partner of WFP Law, specializing in the area of estate planning, asset protection, wealth transfer and probate administration.  Michael is very active in his community and has proudly been serving the Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade communities since 2006. Michael currently is on the Board of Directors for 211 Broward and states, “My main focus is to ensure that everyone is aware of 2-1-1 Broward. I encourage people going through tough times to reach out to these skilled counselors and use their assistance to help guide you to the right path.”

Rumor has it that Captain 211, Michael Wild, will be visiting Ft. Lauderdale! Captain 211 and his minions will begin their journey on Las Olas Blvd at 11:30 am in front of Grille 401. From there, they will be visiting Timpano, the Riverside Hotel and Hoffman’s Chocolates, among other locations in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Captain 211 wants your support by snagging a picture with him and posting it on Facebook, Twitter, and or Instagram with the hashtag, #Captain211. Not only do you get to post a cool photo for everyone to see, but by posting a photo you are entered into a contest and the winner will be announced at the Non-Profit Academy Awards on Friday, February 13th.  Michael is honored to help such a great organization and looks forward to seeing everyone there! For more information on Broward 2-1-1 please visit their website at http://211-broward.org/

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and asset protection techniques, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Partners, P.A. at 954-944-2855 to schedule your free consultation.

 

 

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