014: Estate Planning Myths That Cost Florida Families Thousands (And How to Avoid Them)

Most Florida families have the estate planning conversation too late, and it costs them. In this episode, attorney John Marshall cuts through five of the most common estate planning myths, the ones that have already cost real families tens of thousands of dollars. From the assumption that a spouse automatically inherits everything to the belief that a will skips probate, Marshall explains what Florida law actually says and why it rarely matches what people expect. John draws on 20 years of probate and estate planning experience to show why these issues hit small estates just as hard as large ones. Homestead rules, minor beneficiaries, guardianship costs, and the difference between a will and a trust all get covered. If you think your plan is solid, this episode will tell you whether it actually is. In this episode, you will hear: Why married Floridians cannot assume a spouse will automatically inherit everything How Florida's homestead laws create unexpected complications for blended families The real difference between a will and a trust, and why only one avoids probate Why small estates face probate costs that hit just as hard, percentage-wise, as large ones What happens when a minor child is named as a life insurance beneficiary Why beneficiary designations can backfire without a coordinated estate plan behind them How skipping an estate plan can trigger costly guardianship proceedings while you're still alive Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.