Michael T. Heider, P.A.

In today's digital age, managing your digital assets is an essential part of your estate planning. With a vast amount of our lives stored online, it's crucial to make sure that your online accounts, cryptocurrency, and digital media are properly handled in the event of your passing. Florida law has specific provisions for managing digital assets, and it's essential to include them in your estate plan to avoid complications during Florida probate. What Are Digital Assets? Digital assets include anything that exists in digital form and holds value. This can include: Online Accounts : Email, social media accounts, and cloud storage accounts (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox). Cryptocurrency : Digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other blockchain-based assets. Digital Media : Photos, music, videos, and digital art. Financial Accounts : Online bank accounts, PayPal, or other money-management services. Business Interests : E-commerce websites or intellectual property stored o...

Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate, including distributing assets and paying off debts. In Florida, probate can be lengthy, expensive, and often overwhelming for grieving families. Understanding how the process works—and more importantly, how to avoid it—can help protect your loved ones from unnecessary delays and expenses. Florida has specific probate laws that govern how estates are handled after death. Whether you are planning your estate or facing the probate process after a loss, it’s important to know what to expect and what options you have. Understanding Florida probate laws Florida law requires that certain assets go through probate if they were solely owned by the deceased and do not have a designated beneficiary. Probate proceedings can be either formal administration or summary administration, depending on the size and complexity of the estate. Key points to understand include: Formal administration is the traditional court-supervi...

When a loved one passes away and leaves behind a trust, someone needs to step in and manage everything outlined in that document. That person is usually the successor trustee . If you have been named as one, or you are helping a family member understand what this role involves, you are in the right place. In Florida, a successor trustee holds an important role with serious responsibilities. But do not worry — you do not have to figure it out alone. Let’s break down what being a successor trustee actually means, what you are expected to do, and how to avoid common pitfalls. What is a successor trustee? A successor trustee is the person (or sometimes a financial institution) appointed to manage a trust after the original trustee dies or becomes unable to serve. This could happen after a person passes away or becomes incapacitated. The successor trustee steps in to carry out the instructions in the trust document, which might include paying bills, distributing assets, and handling tax mat...