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How a Will Prevents Disputes Between Family Members

Estate Planning in Ponte VedraYou’ve spent a lifetime accumulating wealth – both financial and sentimental. When you pass away, you want to leave your loved ones with an opportunity for closure, not an invitation to fight over your belongings. Without proactive estate planning in Ponte Vedra, however, even the closest families can come to contention over your legacy. Fortunately, you can prevent disputes by having a clear, legally sound will on file.

Here’s how a will helps families avoid strife:

  • It Makes Your Wishes Clear – Even well-meaning relatives might not be aware of the expectations you have for what will happen to your belongings once you’re gone. A will lays out your exact wishes in one place that’s accessible to all relevant parties, avoiding animosity because of confusion or misinterpretation over the years.
  • It Allows Enforcement – If any part of your plan for your property isn’t in line with what every member of your family desires, you run the risk of various individuals using the courts to override informal declarations of your intent. By making your wishes clear with a will, you give intended recipients the legal grounds to contest any challenges.
  • It Avoids Court – In cases where no will is present, and family members argue over claims to a loved one’s belongings, the only recourse is often an expensive court battle. A will keeps your family focused on finding closure, not filing lawsuits.
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How an Attorney Can Help You Negotiate When Buying a Home

Real Estate Lawyer in Ponte VedraPurchasing a home is always exciting, but you can make the most of the occasion with services from a trusted real estate lawyer in Ponte Vedra. Many people know that these professionals can help with the necessary documentation, but they also offer dependable legal advice when it comes to negotiating terms and pricing. Their help isn’t inconsequential, either. Here are a few advantages you enjoy when working with the right attorney:

  • Protection – In an ideal world, deals would always be fair and above-board. If a seller tries to exploit you for unfair gain, however, an eagle-eyed lawyer can spot the con and help you leverage the law to avoid losing out because of shady tactics.
  • Confidence – The protection an attorney offers goes both ways. Mistakes in paperwork or procedures happen because of ignorance or misinformation, not just malicious intent. By involving a lawyer in the negotiation process, you ensure that all aspects of the deal hold up to legal scrutiny, safeguarding yourself and the seller from future complications.
  •  Value – As authorities on real estate, attorneys practicing in this area understand the market and how to help you push for the deal you deserve. A small investment in legal services often pays for itself in the money you can save during the home-buying process.
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What is Trust Administration?

Nobody likes to think about death, but it is an inevitability that we all must face. What is important is that, during our lives, we take the necessary steps to ensure our families and loved ones are adequately cared for when we are no longer there to provide for them. That is why it is crucial for you to create a trust through estate planning in Ponte Vedra. To make sure that your trust is executed correctly, you should plan on working closely with a trust administer.

Trust administration is a challenging process that requires the assistance of an attorney and CPA to ensure that everything is done correctly. Many different administrative duties and expenses revolve around the administration of a trust, which can have a significant impact on the beneficiaries.

Through proper trust administration, a professional handles everything from tax obligations to the actual delivery of funds to reduce the potential of costly errors. Some of the different types of tasks a trust administrator is likely to perform include:

  • Notifying Trust Beneficiaries & Heirs
  • Obtaining IRS Tax ID Number(s) for the Trust
  • Filing a Final Income Tax Return for the Decedent
  • Filing a Death Tax Return
  • Filing Trust Income Tax Returns Annually
  • Publishing a Legal Notice of the Death of the Grantor
  • Marshaling All of the Trust Assets Together & Protecting Them

Ensure your wishes are met with estate planning in Ponte Vedra, FL. We help you create your trust and administer it to your specifications.

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How to Prepare for Closing Day

You have finally done it. You found the house that excited you the most, your offer has been accepted, all of the inspections are over, and you are now at the finish line–the closing. Buying a home is very exciting, but also incredibly stressful, and you want to make sure that everything is wrapped up without a hitch. That is why it is essential for you to prepare yourself for closing day, including getting a better understanding of all the related home closing costs in Ponte Vedra.

As you prepare to finally own your new home, you are going to want to make sure you have your team together, including your real estate agent, mortgage broker, and attorney. They are all there to help you avoid any potential mistakes that could cause a snag during the closing proceedings.

Next, you are going to want to create and complete your closing checklist. This checklist should include all of the closing contingencies you might have needed, including a home inspection, appraisal, loan documents, homeowners insurance, and your final walkthrough inspection.

Finally, you should be aware of any home closing costs that you might be liable for at the time of closing. These costs are typically figured out during the negotiation stage. You must make sure that any money you have agreed to pay is presented at the time of closing.

Keep these steps in mind, and you will find yourself walking away with the keys to your new home in no time. Good luck, and enjoy your new home! Our team at Baron Bartlett, P.A. will help you throughout the home closing process.

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Understanding Commercial Real Estate Leasing

One of the most complex aspects of trying to keep your business operating without interruption is dealing with leasing your commercial real estate in Ponte Vedra. As a business owner, you want to find a location that brings in the clientele you are looking for while also ensuring you are not overspending on your rent. This juggling act can feel like a challenge, especially when you consider how much space you need now and in the future. It is not, however, impossible to walk away with that perfect lease situation, as long as you correctly understand the paperwork you are signing.

When it comes to your commercial lease, you need to properly understand all of the tiny details included in your paperwork, including what expenses you are liable for, parking space, and zoning. While the tricky terminology included in a lease might leave you scratching your head, if you have a skilled real estate attorney working with you, you will find the entire transaction much less stressful.

What to Look for When Signing a Commercial Lease

When you are looking to sign a lease, you need to make sure that there are not any surprises coming your way. Working with your real estate attorney, do your due diligence to research the following:

  • What Expenses Will You Be Liable For?
  • Thoroughly Inspect the Background of Your Landlord or Property Management Company
  • Talk to Other Tenants About the Quality of Service They’ve Received
  • Ascertain Whether or Not Your Building Is Up to Safety Code
  • Make Sure Your Unit Is Properly Zoned for Your Type of Business
  • Know All of Your Rights as a Tenant

Please work with us when you need commercial real estate in Ponte Vedra, FL. We make it easier for you to understand commercial real estate leasing.