ESTATE PLANNING ON MIAMI BEACH AND DIVORCE IN FLORIDA: ARE EX-SPOUSES STILL ENTITLED TO BENEFITS, PENSIONS, AND NAMED ROLES?

You’ve finalized your divorce. The marriage is over. But what about everything else—the life insurance, your pension, the will and trust that you made years ago? If your ex is still listed as your beneficiary or personal representative, does that still hold up in Florida? In most cases, the answer is it depends. Your ex could still inherit unless you change it manually. Review every account. Don’t rely on automatic laws—make those updates yourself.

CAN I RELY ON FLORIDA LAW TO MAKE MY CHANGES FOR ME?

No, you cannot rely on the law to void your ex-spouse from your will, trust, and accounts. If you don’t update your documents, you might be left with gaps, or your assets could go to people you never intended.  Florida law does offer protections by revoking many designations that benefit an ex-spouse, but it doesn’t cover everything, and it’s not foolproof.

WHAT IF I STILL WANT MY EX-SPOUSE INVOLVED?

About a year or two ago, I wrote a blog about retitling your assets and redoing your estate plan when you get divorced. Lately, many of my divorced couples are staying very close once the dust of the divorce settles. So close, that they often want to remain each other’s person in charge in their will and trust and even as the beneficiary of some of the assets.

If you still want your ex-spouse to be involved in your estate planning, it can be done. Hiring an attorney and creating a clearly written estate plan done after the divorce is finalized is important. In addition, a review of all of your assets and the listed beneficiaries needs to be examined as part of your estate planning update post-divorce. 

WHY SHOULD I USE ALLY M. GLASER, PA TO HANDLE MY WILLS AND TRUSTS, ESTATE PLANNING, AND PROBATE MATTERS?

I sell peace of mind and protect my clients and their loved ones with my holistic approach to estate planning. I am authentic, knowledgeable, and caring. As an Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts and Probate Attorney in Miami Beach, Florida with over twenty-eight years of experience and both a Psychology and Law degree, I handle these matters with knowledge and sensitivity. I am familiar and comfortable with both the Miami-Dade probate court system and Broward County probate court and I know how to get things done. I handle both estate planning and probate cases, thus, I am familiar with the challenges of each and provide my clients with additional protections. Call or email me today to discuss your matters.  I am happy to help you and your loved ones during this important process.