With the tragic death of singer Amy Winehouse being the trending topic right now on news outlets and social networking platforms, atleast one estate attorney could not help but wonder whether the pop-star’s estate plan was in order.  After some research, it appears that Winehouse refused to be another high-profile cautionary tale of estate planning.  Reports indicate that she left her estate in terrific order with all major assets protected and interest set to be distributed to where she so desired.

British law seemingly favors spouses and ex-spouses when it comes to estate inheritance after ones death.  Winehouse did not wish for her assets to go to her ex-spouse, however, who is currently incarcerated.  Therefore, Winehouse planned accordingly by creating a specific will that redirected her estimated 16.4 million dollar estate to her parents and brother.

While this is really seeing the silver lining of such a sad story, that positive aspect is one that always goes appreciated by a decedent’s family and loved ones as well as estate attorneys worldwide.  It is always such a pleasure to hear celebrity success stories of estate planning, such as Winehouse’s, because too often it is the horror story that gets such sensational media exposure.  Too often celebrities leave their estate a mess and, as a result, the world hears about how certain assets ended up in the wrong hands, how a very specific loved one received no inheritance due to statutory law, or how millions of dollars in interest in the estate were lost due to estate taxes and probate administration.

No matter how big or small your estate is there are things you can do to protect your assets and assure that your family and loved ones are taken care of.  Some of the basics of a good estate plan include setting up a will, a living trust, and a power of attorney. A will gives you the opportunity to specify exactly who receives what assets.  A trust can be a smart way to avoid high estate tax charges by slowly transferring funds to intended inheritors reducing the overall value of your estate.  And a power of attorney allows you to appoint a trusted family member to handle your finances after you die.

These are some basic estate planning steps that every person should take whether a pop-star sensation or not.  It is irresponsible to go through life without an estate plan.  An ill planned estate can leave loved ones wanting and heartbroken more so than they would feel during a natural grieving process.  Call a reputable estate attorney now and set up an estate plan that is right for you.

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and probate, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Pardo, P.A. at 954-944-2855 or via email at info@wfplaw.com to schedule your free consultation.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?

The lockout has ended and the NFL is back!  Will you live long enough to see the 2011 season kick off?

Miracles happen all the time in the NFL in the form of comebacks.  And by comeback, we’re not talking about Brett Favre’s decision to come out of retirement after every offseason.

The greatest post-season comeback in NFL history was on January 3^rd 1993 when the Buffalo Bills defeated the Houston Oilers, 41-38, in overtime of an AFC playoff game.  With 13:19 left in the third quarter, quarterback Frank Reich led the Bills to 5 TD’s in 20 ½ minutes to force an overtime.  The Bills then won the game in overtime on a field goal.

Another great NFL comeback was the ultimate “David vs. Goliath” win on February 3^rd 2008 during Super Bowl XLII when the New York Giants upset the New England Patriots, 17-14, voiding them of their “Perfect 19-0 Season.”   Eli Manning led the Giants on a game winning drive that included the timeless “Catch-42,” a miraculous gravity defying catch over midfield, in which David Tyree completed the catch by pressing the ball against the back of his helmet.

And who can forget the “Comeback King,” Joe Montana.  Montana recorded 31 fourth-quarter comebacks during his NFL Career. One of his 31 comebacks came during a Super Bowl.  But his most impressive comeback had to of been on September 24^th 1989 when the 49ers defeated the Eagles, 38-28.  Montana completed 11 of 12 passes for 227 yards and 4 TD’s in the fourth quarter.

These comebacks prove that no lead is ever safe in the NFL, and no win is guaranteed.  Miracles happen all the time in professional football.  Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee your future.  You could die before the 2011 season finally kicks off, or tomorrow, or today even.  But what we can guarantee is the future of your estate.  With a proper estate plan in place, your assets can be well protected and your future can be as guaranteed as when the quarterback takes a knee to run down the last few seconds of the game.  Call a qualified estate attorney now to form an estate plan that is right for you and your family.

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and probate, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Pardo, P.A. at 954-944-2855 or via email at info@wfplaw.com to schedule your free consultation.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?

On July 4^th, 1916, four immigrants on Coney Island were having an argument debating who was the most patriotic.  They decided to settle the argument by having an eating competition at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs stand.  That eating competition became a yearly tradition that has continued to grow in popularity over the past 96 years.  It developed into what is recognized today as one Independence Day’s favorite pastimes – The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition.  Three days ago, world-renowned competitive eater, Joey Chestnut, won his fifth consecutive Nathan’s Hot Dog Competition, eating 62 hot dogs in 12 minutes.  That 62 spot was enough to win the 2011 mustard-colored champion belt.  However, it was not enough to break his all-time personal best of 68 hot dogs, which is also the world record for most hot dogs in 12 minutes.

Watching those competitive eaters scarf down two or three hot dogs down at a time can certainly be gut wrenching. But as I watched, my stomach turned knowing that most likely, at least one of those competitive eaters on stage had not adequately planned their estate.  You would think in a career like competitive eating, where individuals shove as much food into their systems as possible; there is a concern for choking, stomach or esophagus rupture, or some other freak accident that could result in a tragic death.  For example, Chestnut has won countless eating competitions for prize money, aside from the five consecutive Nathan’s competition victories, which earned him a total of $50,000.  Does he have that prize money and other valuable assets protected in a irrevocable trust in case of a deadly choking fit?

You may not be able to eat 68 hot dogs in 12 minutes.  You may not eat competitively.  But do not think just because you are a “low risk” eater that choking on your food is an implausible occurrence.  A freak accident can happen to anyone.   It is best to plan for the future of your estate as soon as possible to assure that your loved ones are taken care of.  Speak to a qualified estate attorney today to discuss an estate plan that is right for you and your family.

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and probate, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Pardo, P.A. at 954-944-2855 or via email at info@wfplaw.com to schedule your free consultation.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?

Everyone can agree that the Declaration of Independence was an important document to sign. Without it, we could not benefit from the sacrifices our forefathers made to secure our welfare and freedom. Much in the same way, you make sacrifices and work hard throughout your life. It is crucial for your family’s future and well being that you establish and sign your Estate Planning documents. You probably won’t be around for 235 years, but if you plan well your legacy will.

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and probate, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Pardo, P.A. at 954-944-2855 or via email at info@wfplaw.com to schedule your free consultation.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?

You are walking through a crowded public place -a shopping mall let’s say. At that moment on that random day, anything could be going on in your life – let’s say you are running errands during your lunch break, have recently closed escrow on a new home, and have dinner with the in-laws that evening.  The point is you are minding your own business and living your life.

Suddenly, completely unexpected and interrupting your life, organized chaos breaks out in front of you.  A large number of people, who appeared to be ordinary pedestrians with ordinary daily concerns, synchronize and start performing a bizarre act in unison – I don’t know, let’s say they all start playing Kazoos to the tune of Eddie Murphy’s “Party all the time,” while each tossing out handfuls of bouncy balls on to the ground.

In other words, you have experienced a flash mob.  A flash mob is one of those occurrences that you have never actually witnessed, but you have seen proof of flash mobs on TV or may even know people who have experienced a flash mob.  You never expect them to happen to you, but you know they occur in everyday life.  And although you never expect to run across a flash mob in your life, one day, unexpectedly and unplanned, it could happen.

That is why I always carry pepper spray, to protect me from a sudden encounter with a group of unruly flash mobsters.  Metaphorically speaking, a flash mob is comparable death, and a can of pepper spray is a lot like an estate plan.  No one ever expects to face death.  It could happen at any moment of any day.  No matter what is going on in your life at that moment, death can interrupt it.  Although a person never expects to die so suddenly, especially when there are so many other things on one’s “To-Do” list, it is best to be prepared with an adequate estate plan to assure asset protection.  Contact a qualified estate attorney to create an estate plan right for your needs and receive a lifetime supply of estate pepper spray to assure your assets are protected.

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and probate, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Pardo, P.A. at 954-944-2855 or via email at info@wfplaw.com to schedule your free consultation.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?

After a series of defeats in recent years, the movement to legalize same-sex marriage is hoping that its unexpected victory in New York will revive efforts to legalize gay marriage around the nation. The victory on Friday in New York, arguably the nation’s economic and cultural capital, carries enormous symbolic importance for the same-sex-marriage movement. New York is now the sixth and largest state in the country where gay couples will be able to wed legally. In late July, when the New York’s law goes into effect, there will be twice as many  Americans in jurisdictions where same-sex marriage is permitted as there are today.

However, Florida’s outlook for same sex marriage is grim. After the 2008 amendment to the Florida Constitution, both same-sex marriage and civil union have been constitutionally banned in Florida.

Article 1 Section 27 of the Florida Constitution states:

“Marriage defined. Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.”

Because the law in Florida considers that there is no formal relationship between members of the same sex and unmarried couples, Estate Planning is particularly important. Same sex Couples in Florida have tools at their disposal to plan for the future, among these are Domestic Partnership Agreements. It is equally important to specify your wishes for medical care and elect your healthcare surrogate. Without these documents the hospital must keep you alive by any means necessary, no matter the cost or true desire. Provide your loved ones as much protection as possible by establishing your estate plan.

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and probate, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Pardo, P.A. at 954-944-2855 or via email at info@wfplaw.com to schedule your free consultation.