All it took was one whirlwind of commotion in the Windy City and POOF…the Miami Heat are no longer unbeatable.  Last night the Chicago Bulls destroyed the 27 game winning streak that was adorning South Florida’s superstars.  Lebron James fought ferociously to keep his legacy going, but it was snapped away by a more powerful force.

Thought South Florida’s celebrated team was invincible?  Much like you?  Think again.  Every day we go to bed, wake up, and go about our daily routine.  But the inevitable is coming.  Much like the Bulls charged the Heat last night, fate will overcome you too.  But don’t be caught off guard.

We can’t predict or control when we are going to die. However, we can control what happens after we are gone. Today you may be healthy and feeling great, tomorrow an unforeseen event can change your whole game plan.  Life is short.  Get your estate plan in place today.

Wild Felice & Partners is a full-service, Fort Lauderdale, Florida based law firm with a specialty in estate planning, asset protection, tax strategies, wills, and probate administration. We utilize a combination of real estate law, estate planning strategies, family law, and asset structuring to assure that our clients are protected from any threats that may be looming.

Our experienced Florida estate planning attorneys are on your team!  For more information on how to plan for your future, contact our South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Partners, PA for a free consultation at (954) 944-2855.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?SM

Today Pope Francis, the 266th pope and first from South America, celebrated the official start of his papacy in St. Peter’s Square.  Approximately 200,000 onlookers cheered and waved flags representing a wealth of nations.  The pope’s message was as clear as the bright blue skies above, “I want to ask you to walk together, and take care of one another.”

Stressing that being a “protector” applies to all of humanity, Pope Francis called for mercy and compassion.  “I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.”

How can we apply the Pope’s words to our daily lives in Florida?  Don’t just tell your beloved family members that you will protect and care for them.  Show them by setting an appointment with your South Florida estate planning attorney today.  Creating an estate plan with specific designations can ensure that each family member is protected exactly the way you envision.  Our South Florida firm routinely utilizes a variety of estate planning tools, including Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Surrogates, Funding Techniques, and more.

The pope has relayed his message and so should you.  Act now and become the protector of your family and loved ones.

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.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected? SM

Throughout the world Shamrocks are a symbol of all things Irish. But did you know they are also symbols of wealth, financial growth, and bling bling?

In Ireland cows depended upon the shamrock (a type of clover) for food. As the clovers grew thick on Irish farms, farmers knew it meant a prosperous winter lay ahead. The proverbial Irish saying “in the clover” equates to Florida’s version of “having deep pockets.”

Regardless of the size of your plot of land this Saint Patrick’s Day, having your South Florida estate planning attorney review your asset protection goals is beneficial to everyone. Estate planning is about providing for those family and friends left behind, which is why we first ask our clients what their wealth transfer and asset protection goals are and then explain how we can accomplish these dreams together. If you don’t protect your hard earned assets now, there may not necessarily be a “pot O gold” awaiting your loved ones at the end of your path.

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.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?SM

Did you know that the gift bags (aka “swag bags”) celebrities received at this years Academy Awards were valued at more than $47,000? Some of the goodies found inside were thousands of dollars worth of weight loss retreat programs, passes to worldwide VIP nightclubs, expensive hand creams and water filtration devices to name a few. However, these lavish gifts were not really free. The price these celebrities will have to pay comes in the form of a hefty tax bill to Uncle Sam. Each Hollywood star will be required to report the value of these swag bags on his or her federal income tax return for income tax purposes. An estimated calculation at the 2013 top individual tax rate of 39.6 percent means each bag will produce a tax bill of just under $19,000.

Unfortunately, the IRS not only wants a cut out of your ordinary income during your working life, but also wants a cut out of what you own after you die. In the world of estate planning, you basically leave behind your very own swag bag of goodies to your loved ones in the form of assets. These may include your house, car, and cash to name a few. Your beneficiaries may be subjected to another type of tax called the death tax.

An estate valued over $5.12 million becomes a taxable estate which is taxed a top rate of 35%. The tax bill can become astronomical and a huge burden on your loved ones. However, with proper and strategic estate planning from your South Florida estate planning attorney, you can mitigate this burden. The stars try to avoid paying the tax by giving away their swag bags to a qualified charity and claim a tax deduction. Learn about the various options available in estate planning so that you can preserve your wealth and protect your assets.

For more information on how to plan for you business’ future, contact our South Florida law firm of Wild, Felice & Partners, PA for a free consultation at (954) 944-2855.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?SM

The Nike “Just Do It” campaign allowed the company to increase their share of the sneaker business from 18% to 43% between the years 1988 and 1998. There must be something to it…

People tend to not like dealing with estate planning because they believe that it is an acknowledgment of their mortality, so they put it off. But lack of action is not smart. Estate planning is a process involving the counsel of professional advisors who are familiar with your goals and concerns, your assets and how they are owned, and your family structure. It can involve the services of a variety of professionals, including your lawyer, accountant, financial planner, life insurance advisor, banker and broker. Estate planning covers the transfer of property at death as well as a variety of other personal matters and may or may not involve tax planning. The core documents most often associated with this process are your will and your trust.

At Wild, Felice & Partners, P.A. we take great pride in our ability to successfully cater to the needs of all Floridians. Whether you are a highly successful and high net worth individual or you are still working hard on creating your nest egg, we can help you accomplish your goals. We assist our clients in determining how best to structure their holdings, as well as assisting in the disposing of such assets during and after their lifetime. Our attorneys focus primarily on minimizing a variety of estate related taxes, while simultaneously protecting assets from third party creditors.

Our South Florida firm routinely utilizes a variety of estate planning tools, including Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Surrogates, Funding Techniques, and more. In addition, we may advise for the formation and funding of a family limited partnership which provides, among other things, asset protection, a positive method of control and a long term plan for the accumulation of wealth that will remain outside of one’s taxable estate. By utilizing the estate planning techniques that we have perfected, we may be able to protect your family from unnecessary hassles and save them tens of thousands of dollars.

Take a cue from Nike: “JUST DO IT.”

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and probate techniques, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild, Felice & Partners, P.A. at 954-944-2855 to schedule your free consultation. It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?SM

Super Bowl weekend is finally upon us. Rolling Stone has listed some of the best past Superbowl halftime shows in honor of football’s biggest day. Along with some of these epic musical performances, we are enumerating some of the best reasons why you should have a trust in place.

• Rolling Stone’s list of memorable musical gigs include Pete Townshend’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” Just like he fired up the crowd in 2010, you can rock your estate plan by establishing a trust, which allows you to make  special gifts to individuals or organizations. This can include gifts such as jewelry, furniture, or even family heirlooms.
•  In 1995, Patti LaBelle won hearts by dressing up as an Egyptian princess while belting out “Release Yourself.” You can release yourself from the burdens of heavy taxation by having your South Florida estate planning attorney help you structure your estate in order to reduce or even eliminate estate tax.
•  In 1997,  James Brown stole the halftime show while sporting his pink satin suit during the big hit “I Feel Good.” Nothing feels better than saving tons of money. A trust avoids probate which can save you thousands of dollars in probate costs and attorney fees.
• Bruce Springsteen made the list when he busted out his classic “Born to Run” in 2009. With a trust in place, your estate can be settled after your death as fast as a quick  jog. You don’t have to worry about a protracted process that can take up to years due to the judicial process and court delays.
•  In 2005, former Beatle, Paul McCartney unspooled his talent during his performance in “Live and Let Die.” The world can be a very difficult and capricious place to live in. Experience can have a disenchanting effect on even the most open hearts. With a trust, you have control. You can include instructions on how you would like to have your assets managed. You can revoke elements of your trust, change your beneficiaries, and sell property.
•  Who can forget Michael Jackson’s stellar performance in 1993 when he brought the house down with “Billie Jean.”  Just like the King of Pop, who valued privacy when it came to his personal life, a living trust allows you to keep your financial affairs and the names of your beneficiaries private.
• Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s performance in Super Bowl 2004 will always be deeply ingrained in our memories regarding that infamous wardrobe malfunction incident. Having a trust in place is low maintenance and you only need to amend your trust when changes in your life occur. You might want to change or add a new beneficiary to your estate or you may decide to change how your assets should be distributed. There is very little room for a trust malfunction when you keep it up to date.