Estate Planning for the Retiree: Six Questions You Should Ask Yourself

Congratulations, you're retired! While you're beginning this new chapter of your life, here are six questions you should ask yourself about your estate plan:

1. Do you have a Will? If you've never executed a Last Will and Testament, now is the perfect time to create one. Meeting with an experienced estate planning attorney to review your specific circumstances is the best way to ensure your wishes are carried out. Many attorneys offer comprehensive estate planning services with a completely free consultation.

2. Are you from another state? If you've joined us here in the beautiful sunshine state but drafted your will while you were living in another state, your will may need updating. An estate planning attorney can review your documents to determine if your will is effecting here in Florida.

3. When was the last time you updated your beneficiaries? We recommend you review your will every 1-3 years and upon any major life changes (such as a birth, death, or  divorce). If you haven't reviewed your will in the last several years to determine if your beneficiaries still reflect your wishes, now is a great time to do so.

4. Do you have a Power of Attorney? A power of attorney is a legal document that gives another person the authority to act on your behalf in certain matters such as banking, business, and other legal matters. Execution of a power of attorney is an important decision, and you should review and consider the implications that such a document will have on your affairs with an experienced estate planning attorney.

5. Have you planned for contingencies? Do you have a valid and current Living Will and Designation of Health Care Surrogate? If you should become incapacitated, and unable to make decisions about your health care, are you prepared?

6. Have you considered tax implications? It's important to find a lawyer who will work with your accountant or financial adviser to ensure your estate plan accounts for and minimizes estate tax burdens on your beneficiaries.

The Law Office of Keith Taylor has experienced estate planning attorneys who can help you answer these questions, and be your advocate and partner as you move into a new phase of your journey. We offer free estate planning consultations, and we would love to meet with you to discuss how we can help you. Contact us today.

Thanksgiving "Giving Back" Giveaway

This Thanksgiving, The Law Office of Keith Taylor wants to give back to our community, and we want your help! Enter our Thanksgiving "Giving Back" Giveaway by liking and following our Facebook page, and liking our post announcing this giveaway.

On November 25th, we'll randomly select one entrant who will choose one of the amazing local charities below to win a $500 donation.

If we have 500 entries, we'll double our donation to $1,000! So share with your friends and together we can show our thanks to the organizations that are working to improve and inspire our community.

Local Charities:
ASPIRE - Home of the RIVER Project
CASA Abuse Shelter
Citrus County Family Resource Center
Citrus United Basket
Community Food Bank of Citrus County
Family Hope Pregnancy Center
Humane Society of Citrus County
Life Choice Pregnancy Center
United Way of Citrus County

Homeowners: Make sure Halloween doesn't turn into a fright!

All of us at the Law Office of Keith Taylor
wish you a safe and fun Halloween! 

At Halloween time children parade around in adorable costumes and delight at the drop of a piece of candy into their bucket.  Families carve jack-o-lanterns and decorate their homes and lawns with spider webs, animated skeletons and flashing lights. Unfortunately, a fun- filled night can quickly turn into a dreaded emergency room visit when a child is hurt because he trips over the cord to the lighted yard decorations, or because of a fall caused by an uneven concrete slab on the driveway.

Homeowners have a responsibility to provide safe conditions for those who come onto their property.  If a person slips, trips, or falls as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition, the property owner may be held fully responsible.

By turning on your outdoor lights, you are inviting trick-or-treaters onto your property.  Ensure their safety by following some simple suggestions:

• ·         Remove tripping hazards from your lawn, steps and driveway
• ·         Halloween decorations should not block walkways
• ·         Walkways, driveways and stairs leading to your door should be well-lit
• ·         Keep pets confined
• ·         Avoid any open flames or unattended jack-o-lanterns

If you don't want trick-or-treaters, turn your outdoor lights off.  However, don’t assume every child will follow the “no lights policy.”  Be proactive and remove any hazards from your property anyway.  Under Florida law, you may be liable for injuries to children who come onto your property uninvited as well.  Conscientious property owners will help prevent a fun Halloween tradition from turning into a nightmare.

As a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Keith Taylor understands every nuance of the law when it comes to property liability injuries in Florida.  If you have any questions about an injury you or someone in your family has sustained due to the negligence of a property owner, please call our office to schedule a free consultation.

Why Small Businesses Need Good Lawyers

By: Attorney Jessica Czaya

          However small your business may be, having a business lawyer is not only a good idea, but the best way to save you time, anxiety, and even money. A smart patient doesn't wait until they are really sick before they look for the right doctor. And when they get sick, they don't rely on advice they read on the internet on how to fix it. A smart patient will find a doctor they trust long before they ever need them to help prevent illness and to treat them, just in case. So, too, should a smart small business not wait until they are involved in a lawsuit before finding a lawyer. There is no doubt that your small business will encounter legal concerns along the way, whether they be actual lawsuits, or simply contract negotiations, buying and selling, leasing property, or one of the other many issues which might arise in any small business. It is essential that you prepare ahead of time by finding a great lawyer and building that relationship of trust and confidence from the beginning. A lawyer will be much more effective in protecting you and addressing your company's legal issues if they know your business before-hand rather than trying to play catch-up when an issue arises.

So, how can your business actually use a lawyer? 

• Draft a Shareholder Agreement (or Partnership Agreement, or Operating Agreement)

          While the name may change, depending on how your company is set up, the necessity for this agreement remains the same. This agreement deals with those messy situations that "will never happen" but, in reality, unfortunately happen all the time. It outlines what happens when some partner in the business dies, or quits, or there is some other parting of ways. It outlines how a buy-out can be calculated, and should address a whole laundry list of other contingencies to prepare your business for the hopefully unlikely, but potentially very messy, uncertainties it might face. 

• Manage Employees

          If you have a business with any employees, you should have a lawyer to help prevent potential future issues, and to protect you if any should arise. You might have the need for employment contracts, non-disclosure or non-compete agreements. You may need advice related to firing employees, or to help avoid lawsuits by disgruntled former employees. 

• Document your Deals

          Your business is likely to buy or lease real property at some point. It is also certainly likely your business will need to buy and sell goods or services. You shouldn't rely on forms drafted by the other party, as they are likely to benefit them more than your business. A good lawyer will ensure that the agreements entered into by your business are well-documented, and that your interests are protected.

         Your business lawyer should be able to offer you tailored services that meet your specific business needs. They should be able to give you general, as well as business-specific, legal advice. They will help you deal with a variety of legal concerns and be there to address all of your legal needs. Every dollar you spend to help lessen your chances of ever having to face litigation, and, in case you do have to face litigation, to have the confidence that you will have the upper hand, is money well-spent on your business. 

          If you would like to learn more about the business representation services offered by The Law Office of Keith R. Taylor, and how we can provide services tailored to your business' needs and budget, visit our website or give us a call at 352-795-0404 today. 

Estate Planning for the Owner of a Small Business or Family Business

If you're an owner of a family business or another small business, do you have an estate plan? Does it address your business' needs? When you own a business, your estate planning needs become more complicated than just having a will. Consider the following questions to determine if your estate plan is adequate to protect your business:

Do you have a Will?

It may seem basic, but over half of Americans do not have a will. A will provides basic instructions about what should happen to your personal and business assets on your death. Especially if you are a sole proprietor of your business, you should create a will that effectively protects your beneficiaries, as personal assets can overlap business assets as well as liabilities. 

Do you need a Trust?

A trust is commonly used  by business owners to transfer their business to the person of their choice after their death. A revocable trust can designate you as grantor and trustee and can allow you to retain control over the assets in the trust (your business assets) during your lifetime. The trust is funded with existing assets and, when a certain event happens, the trust would disburse those assets to your chosen heir(s). You can determine what the triggering event would be, which could be the heir reaching a certain age or a certain life goal, such as graduation. You can also designate who will have control of the trust after your death by naming alternate trustees. The primary advantage of a trust is that it avoids probate; the probate process can be long and involved and can delay the shift in control of the business to your chosen heir(s). A secondary benefit is that if your chosen heir or heirs are too young or inexperienced to control the business at the time of your passing, the power to control the business can be given to someone else whom you trust to maintain the business until the heirs are old enough and responsible enough to take control themselves.

How can you minimize taxes?
There are many ways you can minimize taxes on your estate, and a financial advisor, or CPA can advise you as to all of your available options. However there are a couple of things you should consider. The first, is making annual gifts. There is a federal annual exclusion which allows annual gifts to an unlimited number of people without paying federal gift tax and a business owner can use this exclusion to gift shares of the family business to each heir, each year. Another option to consider is a family limited partnership. This partnership is created by the business owner or owners who would gift a business interest into the partnership, while retaining control over the business as general partners. The other members, limited partners, would have an interest in the business and income would be divided proportionally. This type of partnership can have estate tax benefits because the transfer of assets reduces the size of an owner's taxable estate.

Do you have a Shareholder Agreement?
If your company has more than one owner, a Shareholder Agreement (or Partnership Agreement, or Operating Agreement) considers and plans for a lot of circumstances in your business, including who and under what circumstances someone can be fired, bought out of the business, or quit, as well as planning for contingencies like divorce (in the case of a family business). Important from an estate planning standpoint, is that within this Agreement there can be what is generally described as a "buy-sell" provision, which controls what happens with one shareholder's stock in the company when that person dies. This agreement can determine who acquires the shares, whether it be the company, a family member, or some other individual. The primary benefit of this agreement is that it establishes a sale price for the business and for your share of the business, and the purchase of the shares can be funded by a life insurance policy, which can help ensure that surviving family members receive adequate compensation. A buy-sell agreement can also be entered into separate and apart from your shareholder agreement.

Estate Planning for business owners can be complicated, but it is essential to make sure your business and your family are secure after you're gone. You should speak to several professionals to determine if you have an estate plan that works for your business including an experienced business and estate planning attorney, a financial planner, and your accountant.

If you would like to learn more about the business or estate planning services offered by The Law Office of Keith Taylor, and how they can help you develop your own estate plan as a small business owner, visit our website, or call 352-795-0404 to set up a free consultation. 

Estate Planning for the Young Family: 5 Things to Consider After the Birth of Your First Child

By: Attorney (and new Mom) Jessica Czaya

Having your first child is an exciting time in anyone's life, but it brings with it a whole set of new challenges. In the midst of the post-birth chaos and sleep deprivation, it can be easy to put off reviewing and making changes to your estate plan. However, it is important that you take the time for your family to consider whether you estate plan is effective. Here are 5 ways you can make sure you have an estate plan that reflects your wishes now that you have welcomed your bundle of joy:

          1. Update (or Create!) your Last Will and Testament
If you or your spouse do not have Wills, there is no time like the present to make one! If you already have Wills, look them over. It is likely that they will not do what you need them to do now that you have your little one. For example, most Wills created for married couples without children are "sweetheart wills," where each one leaves everything to the other - This part will likely stay the same now that you have your new arrival. What is likely to change is what comes next. Should something happen to you and your spouse, you want to ensure that your child is taken care of financially. (See number 3)

          2. Name a legal guardian
Should something happen to you and your spouse, you'll also want to make sure you have an input into who will become the legal guardian of your child. While a judge will have to confirm the guardian for your child, the parents' wishes are typically honored. Take time to talk to your spouse about who you would like to take the responsibility for raising your child should you be unable to. There may be a number of important factors to consider, but ultimately it comes down to who you believe will do the best job raising your child.

          3. Consider setting up a trust for your child
Trusts can be used for a variety of purposes including to minimize estate taxes, shield assets from potential creditors, or preserve assets for minor children until they are a certain age. There are several types of trusts you could consider in developing your estate plan including Living (or Revocable) Trusts, which allow you to maintain control of the trust, changing or even dissolving it, for as long as you are alive, Irrevocable Trusts, which cannot be changed or dissolved once created, and Testamentary Trusts, which are established by your Will and will not come into existence until your will is probated. There are pros and cons to each of these types of trusts which you can learn more about here. Keep in mind that creating and maintaining trusts can be expensive and there are some disadvantages that may affect you. If you are interested in the option of setting up a trust, you should consult the services of an experienced Estate Planning attorney.

          4. Think about purchasing or increasing your life insurance
If you do not have life insurance, you may want to consider investing in a policy. If you already have life insurance, you'll want to examine your policy to make sure it provides enough support for your growing family. The best way to determine if you need life insurance and if so, how much you should get, is to consider how many people depend on your income. If, for example, you and your spouse both worked full time before the birth of your child, but now one of you will be staying home, you will have two people who depend on the income of the working member of the family (one adult and one infant). In this case you may need more life insurance.

          5. Re-examine your estate plan components once a year
You can use your little one's birthday as a benchmark for re-examining your estate plan annually. When you keep up with it, the process should be very short. You will just ask yourself if you have had an major life events in the past year (e.g. birth, death, marriage, divorce) and whether that impacts your estate plan. Keeping your estate plan up to date will ensure that your family is well taken care of should anything ever happen to you, and it will give you some peace of mind moving forward.

If you would like more information on the estate planning services offered by The Law Office of Keith Taylor, or to set up a free estate planning consultation, visit our website here. Learn more about Author, Jessica Czaya, here.

Three Types of Trusts Available for Estate Planning

Please bear in mind that there are many types of trusts and this is only a brief description of three of the most commonly used trusts for estate planning. You should discuss your options for trusts with an experienced estate planning attorney.

1. Living (revocable) Trusts: With a living trust, you maintain control of the trust and can change or dissolve it as long as you are alive. Unlike a will, a living trust is not part of the public record. The trust can also be used to help you protect and manage your assets if you become incapacitated. However, assets in a living trust are not protected from creditors, and you are subject to income taxes on income earned by the trust. In addition, you cannot avoid estate taxes using a living trust.

2. Irrevocable Trusts: Unlike a living trust, an irrevocable trust can't be changed or dissolved once it has been created. You may have to pay gift taxes on the value of the property transferred into the trust. However, all of the property in the trust, plus all future appreciation on the property, is out of your taxable estate. Property transferred to your beneficiaries through an irrevocable trust will also avoid probate, and property in an irrevocable trust may be protected from your creditors.

3. Testamentary Trusts: Established by your will, these trusts don't come into existence until your will is probated. At that point, certain assets passing through your will can move into the trust. After probate, these trusts work very much like other trusts. The terms of the trust document control how the assets within the trust are managed and distributed to your heirs. And, since you have a say in how the trust terms are written, these types of trusts give you a certain amount of control over how the assets are used, even after your death.

JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE UNDER ATTACK

This is one of those subjects that few consider- until it effects them.  Please understand that the foundation of our democracy is under attack, and before most people realize it, it will be too late.  The subject: JUDICIAL MERIT RETENTION ELECTION.-- What's that, you say. Since 1978, Florida has utilized the process of Merit Selection and Retention of judges.  In an effort to remove politics from the process of electing judges, the citizens of the State of Florida passed a Constitutional Amendment putting our current system in place.

Remember Civics class?  Separation of Powers- 3 Branches of Government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial).  This is why our system works- not all the power is in any one branch.  The courts have to be fair and impartial, without regard to wealth, poverty, or political party.  To ensure this, appellate judges (including the Florida Supreme Court) are chosen by a committee who evaluate each applicant's background, experience, demeanor and impartiality.  That committee then nominates a slate of qualified applicants presented to the Governor for eventual appointment.

There have been 16 Merit Retention Elections since the process was established in 1978.  On the ballot this year, voters will be asked whether a particular judge should be retained in office.  There are 3 Florida Supreme Court Justices up for retention as well as 15 District Court of Appeals Judges.  Ballots in Citrus County will only include the 3 Supreme Court Justices as the District Court Judges are from other districts around the state.  The Florida Bar issued a poll to the lawyers of the state, asking about the retention of these Justices, and the overwhelming opinion of Florida lawyers is to VOTE YES; 90% on average.

Unfortunately, yesterday the Republican Party of Florida announced an intention to support the corporate interests that now seek to unseat these very qualified jurists.  In the history of our system, there has never been such a blatant infusion of politics into a judicial race.  Today, Florida Bar President Gwynne Young released the following statement:

       "A fair and impartial judiciary, free from political or special interest influence is the purpose of Florida's non-partisan merit retention elections for appellate judges. The Florida Bar does not believe any political party – Democratic, Republican or other – should participate in any non-partisan election, particularly for judicial positions.

       Maintaining the integrity and impartiality of Florida's judges is critical to preserving the principles of democracy on which our country was founded. Non-partisan merit retention elections were established by the people of Florida to ensure that the rule of law, not popular thought or political view, is the basis for all judicial decisions. "

The Florida Bar is committed to providing Floridians with objective information regarding merit selection and retention and the biographies of the justices and judges who are on the November 6 ballot. Through the non-partisan educational program, The Vote's in YOUR COURT: Judicial merit retention. Know the facts., the Bar is informing Florida voters about merit retention and the role of judges. The program offers extensive website information, printed materials and speakers for groups.

"The Florida Bar is a non-partisan organization that does not endorse or support the retention of any justice or judge. The Florida Bar encourages all voters to make educated decisions in this – as in any – election."
Visit the website and learn about these Justices. Your vote is more important than ever.  Mr. Taylor is available to speak to your group about this very important issue.  Please call our office to schedule Mr. Taylor to speak or to have your questions answered, but most importantly, understand the issues, the importance of these issues and VOTE.

Election Spotlight: Florida Health Care Amendment

In November, there will be a total of eleven constitutional amendments on Florida voters' ballots. We want to provide you with information about these amendments so you can make an informed decision, however you vote, when election day comes. Today, we'll spotlight Amendment 1: The Florida Health Care Amendment.

The Amendment aims to prevent any law which would require a person or employer to purchase or provide for health care coverage in order to comply with the recent federal health care reforms, which are often referred to as “Obamacare.” 

Supporters of the proposed measure argue that the federal health care law is an abuse of federal power, in part because it requires that people buy health insurance. 

Opponents of the proposed measure argue that a constitutional amendment will not protect individuals from the federal reform because the Supremacy Clause in the U.S. Constitution would cause the federal law to override the state law.

Regardless of how you vote on your ballot in November, we encourage you all to get informed on the important issues you are being asked to decide and make your voice heard. 

What is Judicial Merit Retention?

Among the many important decisions Florida voters will face in November will be a vote on Judicial Merit Retention. Justices and appellate court judges appear on Florida ballots after 6-year terms. Voters are tasked with the decision of whether or not to retain these judges and Justices. This year, there will be three Supreme Court Justices and 15 appellate court judges on Florida's ballots for merit retention vote. However, there are no appellate judges on the ballot for the 5th District Court of Appeals, which is the district where Citrus and Marion counties are located.

Many voters do not know any of the Justices and judges listed on the ballots. We encourage you to get informed on the candidates and their qualifications, and to understand the process of judicial merit retention. You can find more information on the Florida Bar's website, The Vote's in Your Court, or by watching this short video with an introduction from former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. The video is less than ten minutes long and is full of information about how the merit retention system works and how you can make an informed decision in November.

While most citizens don't often consider how our judges and Justices come to be in office, and most don't have regular interactions with them, it is important for every Florida citizen to understand the process involved in electing those individuals tasked with safeguarding justice for our people.

Man Arrested for Carrying Machete at Republican National Convention

The Republican National Convention taking place in Tampa has seen at least one arrest so far. Jason Wilson, a 31 year old Tallahassee man was arrested yesterday for carrying a machete strapped to his leg. When told to stop, Wilson reportedly resisted arrest. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

For more, see the full story here.

6 Steps to Finding the Best Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer is often one of the most critical choices you can make in some of the most difficult situations in your life. Whether you're going through a divorce, buying a piece of property, selling a business, or you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident, having the right lawyer to represent your interests is essential in ensuring you will have the best possible outcome in your case. Hiring a lawyer is also a big investment. Before you spend your hard-earned money on legal representation, you want to make sure you are getting what you're paying for. Here are 6 steps you can take to make sure you have the best lawyer possible to represent you in your case.  

1. Identify your legal issue

Not every law firm handles every type of case. You want to make sure the lawyer you hire has experience and expertise in the kind of case you actually have. It won’t help you much if you’re lawyer has a lot of experience in corporate cases, but you’re getting a divorce.

2. Gather references and investigate credentials

It is very likely that someone you know has hired a lawyer at some point. Ask them about their experience and whether or not they would recommend that attorney and why. Personal references are a great way to start your search for the right lawyer, but it shouldn’t be your last step.

3. Do your homework

Look at the lawyer’s website. Does it look professional? Is it easy to use? Do they practice the type of law you’re looking for? Are any of the firm’s attorneys board certified (this means they are certified as experts by the Florida Bar)?

4. Make an appointment for a consultation

You can usually make a consultation appointment right over the phone. Note whether the person you’re talking to is courteous and helpful. In most cases, it shouldn’t take longer than 24 hours to receive a returned phone call.

5. Ask questions

During your initial consultation with an attorney, don’t be afraid to ask them questions. A good lawyer should be both able and happy to answer questions like these: 

• What is your experience in cases like mine?
• How many cases have you handled in this area? 
• How long do these types of cases usually take to resolve? 
• How and how often will I be billed? 
• Who will actually be handling my case? (Some lawyers who advertise are not actually the attorney that will be handling your case when you walk through the door. Make sure the attorney you meet with is the one who will be working on your case.) 

Listen carefully, take notes, and write down any information you receive. Make sure this lawyer is a member of your state bar association. Check for peer reviews and client feedback on law review websites like Martindale-Hubbell and Avvo.

6. Make sure you’re comfortable

How was your experience during your first visit to the attorney’s office? Were you treated well? Did you feel comfortable? Was the attorney professional? Did he or she put you at ease? Above all else, you should feel like you can trust your attorney to protect your interests. Finding someone that you feel comfortable with is essential to having a successful attorney-client relationship.

The Dangers of "Write your Own Will" Software

We have all seen the ads for websites and software that offer to help you write your own "simple will" for a low flat rate. A tough economy has pushed many to use these types of programs to draft their own important legal documents, rather than using an experienced legal professional. Consumer Reports recently published a report where they test 3 software products claiming to help you write your own will. What they found was that all of the three products tested had major issues, and that none are very likely to meet your individual needs. Some of the major areas of concern included:

1. They had outdated information
2. They don't allow for sufficient customization, and rarely refer to specific state estate law in any detail
3. They were not flexible in certain areas, with some arbitrary age or time limits
4. They were too flexible in other areas, allowing you to completely contradict your will after it's completion
5. They left out many popular options for estate plans like special-needs trusts, pet trusts, or domestic partnerships
6. They didn't address tax issues

The biggest concern for most seems to be that as a layman you can't be sure what is missing in the finished product; a scary proposition in such an important document. As the New York Times said in their article finding many of the same pitfalls, you "don't know what you don't know." So, while it may seem these types of programs are an inexpensive alternative to having a lawyer draft your estate planning documents, you should think twice before putting such an important aspect of your family's financial planning in the hands of these programs, leaving you to simply hope that the finished product covers all you wanted it to. 

Our office is happy to offer free estate planning consultations, where a trained and experienced estate planning attorney will sit with you to discuss your specific needs and ensure that you have an estate plan that does exactly what you want it to do. If you're considering drafting your own estate plan, or if you already have drafted an estate plan and you would like our attorneys to review it, please contact our office today and set up your consultation. 

For Consumer Reports' entire article, see Write your own will? We tested 3 software products that claim to help you do it.

Citrus Springs Man Dies After Domestic Disturbance

A domestic disturbance on Sunday left a man dead and his stepson hospitalized with stab wounds. The Citrus County Sheriff's Office was called to a domestic disturbance at a Citrus Springs home just after 4pm on Sunday. When deputies arrived, they found 69 year old Harold Gene Brown deceased with multiple knife wounds. Michael Staton, Brown's 56 year old stepson had also suffered stab wounds, which required he be airlifted to Tampa General Hospital based on reports by the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office reports that Brown's wife was also at the home, though investigators did not say who they believe to have stabbed whom. A homicide investigation is currently under way.

For a full report on the incident, see the Tampa Bay Times.

Attorney Adam Czaya Elected Secretary for Citrus County Bar Association

Associate Attorney Adam A. Czaya

         The Law Office of Keith R. Taylor, P.A. is proud to announce the election of our Associate Attorney, Adam A. Czaya, to the Secretary position for the Citrus County Bar Association. The Citrus County Bar Association is an organization for lawyers, judges, and members of the legal field in Citrus County which promotes attorney professionalism and the administration of justice. Active in Citrus County since 1969, the Citrus County Bar Association provides local legal professionals with opportunities for community involvement through scholarships, community outreach, and public awareness programs.
          The Association held elections at the end of June and will begin meetings for the upcoming year this month. Associate Attorney Steven D. Fichtman served as the Association's President for the past year, and will serve as Past President in an advisory role for the upcoming year. Attorney Adam Czaya is "looking forward to a great year for the C.C.B.A. and a lot of exciting changes and new opportunities for the club and it's members to become involved in the community." All the attorneys at The Law Office of Keith R. Taylor are continuously looking for ways to be more involved in their community here in Citrus County. For more information on how we get involved, visit our website. For more information on the Citrus County Bar Association, visit their blog or facebook page.

Supporting Local Small Businesses

The Law Office of Keith R. Taylor, like many of the businesses operating in and around Citrus County, is a small local business. We also have the privilege of working with other local small business owners in our community, helping them set up their corporations or manage their businesses' legal issues.

We encourage you to look to local small businesses for your products and services, rather than using large chain stores and mass market companies. The benefits of shopping locally are tremendous: It helps keep money here in our community, building a stronger and better place to live and raise a family; It provides more jobs for our neighbors, as small businesses employ half of all private sector employees and generated 65% of new jobs in the last 15 years. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration); It allows small business owners to reinvest in this community; and it is convenient and earth-friendly, saving the time and resources of traveling outside our county for the same goods and services.

When we face tough economic times, it benefits us all to spend our hard-earned money where it will do the most good for our community. By shopping with our own neighbors, we can help build a stronger future for Citrus County and its residents.

Stop Hunger Now - Crystal River Charity Event to Feed Children

Saturday, February 25th at 8:30 am, local organizations like the Rotary Clubs and Citrus-Hernando Inn of Court, along with local volunteers, will gather in the Crystal River High School Cafeteria to participate in a Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event.

The volunteers, which are expected to exceed 150 in number, will work together to package filling, nutrient-rich meals which will be sent to under-nourished school children around the world. Last year's event, chaired by Attorney Keith Taylor, saw over 100,000 meals packaged which were shipped by Stop Hunger Now, an international aid organization, to schools in Vietnam. He is excited to have the same level of success this year.

If you would like to get involved by volunteering your time, please contact our office and speak to Angela. The whole family is welcome. If you would like to donate, each meal costs only 25 cents, so even small donations can make a big difference for hungry children worldwide.

Purple Heart Ceremony to be held Saturday in Crystal River

Originally established by George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit, the Purple Heart is given to honor those combat-wounded men and women who have selflessly sacrificed for their country. The Purple Heart is the oldest award that is still given to members of the U.S. military. On Saturday, February 18th, members of Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart will honor the legacy of the Purple Heart by inviting veterans and the public to their seventh annual Purple Heart Ceremony.

The Ceremony will take place at the Florida National Guard River Armory in Crystal River at 11:00 am. The ceremony will include a tribute to fallen heroes and wounded veterans and Patriot Riders, the Civil Air Patrol, the Young Marines and some JROTC units will participate. There will also be a mural on display which honors 300 Floridians who have sacrificed their lives during the Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns with both their engraved names, and color portraits.

During the ceremony, a wreath will be placed to honor these eight Citrus County soldiers who have died in Action.

• Cpl. Johnathan Taylor, U.S. Marines
• Pfc. Michael Mahr, U.S. Army
• Sgt. Jonathan Peney, U.S. Army
• Sgt. Dennis J. Boles, U.S. Army
• Sgt. Dennis J. Flanagan, U.S. Army
• Cpl. Stanley J. Lapinski, U.S. Army
• Sgt. Robert A. Surber, U.S. Army
• Chief Warrant Officer Aaron A. Weaver, U.S. Army

If you would like any more information on the Purple Heart Ceremony, visit www.citruspurpleheart.org or call 352-382-3847.

We would like to salute the men and women of our armed forces who have sacrificed so much for our nation. Thank you for your service.

The Impact of Foreclosure During Divorce

By: Steven D. Fichtman

As the economy worsens and housing markets continue to decline, many people have made the decision to allow their homes to go into foreclosure and to "walk away" from their mortgages. Some even continue to live in the home without payment as their foreclosure case moves forward.

In a divorce case, an issue can arise when only one spouse wishes to "walk away" or stop paying the mortgage. The other spouse may not agree for a number of reasons, including not wanting to risk a foreclosure on his or her credit, not wanting to risk losing the marital home and wanting to preserve marital assets.

Under Florida law, the parties have a joint obligation to maintain the asset, despite the wishes of one party to “walk away”. Therefore, a Judge can force the parties to continue to make the monthly mortgage payments and make both parties responsible for the mortgage. A Judge can also force each party to pay their share (or the full amount) of the mortgage each month until the divorce is final and it is decided what would happen with the marital home.

While the facts of every case are different, the important thing to know is that the parties have an obligation to remain current and responsible on marital expenses and responsibilities, including the martial home.

We Now Offer Florida Probate Services!

At The Law Office of Keith Taylor, we are constantly growing and expanding to meet the needs of our clients and our community. To help offer even more inclusive legal services, we now proudly provide Florida probate services!

Probate is the legal process that involves administering and distributing a person’s estate after their death either under their Last Will and Testament, or through the State of Florida’s statutes if there is no Will.

This process might include interpreting the wishes set out in a Last Will and Testament, paying debts to creditors, or distributing assets to beneficiaries or legal heirs.

It can be a complicated, frustrating, and time-consuming process, especially when the person trying to handle all this has recently lost their loved one. Often, to avoid the frustration of dealing with these issues alone, individuals look to an experienced and dedicated probate attorney to handle these issues for them.

Our attorneys work closely with the personal representative of the estate, step-by-step, to ensure that the estate is distributed and administered efficiently and effectively.

If you have recently lost a loved one and are trying to deal with the complicated probate process on your own, call our office and let our dedicated team of professionals help you. If you would like more information on the services we offer, you can visit our website, contact our office, or email Attorney Czaya at Adam@KeithTaylorLaw.com.