Page 20 - Southern Exposure - March '23

Page 20, Southern Exposure

it’S the law!

Did You Know That, In Florida …

By Adam S. Gumson, Esq.

Probate involves the Alimony is not one-size-fits-all. Florida provides to perform any of the powers detailed in the document
process of appointing a a number of distinct alimony options: temporary, instantly.
personal representative rehabilitative, durational, bridge-the-gap or permanent Jupiter Law Center is a private neighborhood law
(often called executor and the scope of each type of alimony can vary widely firm located in the RiverPlace Professional Center, 1003
in other states) whose depending on the financial disparity of the parties, the W. Indiantown Road, Suite 210, Jupiter, FL, (561) 744 -
duty it is to discover length of the marriage and a number of other factors that 4600, jupiterlawcenter.com. The firm provides peace of
and pay valid creditors are considered by the court. mind by solving problems with integrity and compassion
of the estate. Having a If a trust owns a unit in a condominium association, in the areas of estate planning (wills and trusts, powers
will does not negate the the grantor of the trust, or a qualified beneficiary of the of attorney, health care surrogates, living wills, probate
need for probate. It only trust is considered a member of the association and can estates, succession planning, contracts and purchase/
identifies the preferred serve as a director of the association provided he/she sale agreements), family law (divorce, paternity, child
personal representative and occupies the condominium unit. support and time sharing, alimony, property distribution,
beneficiaries. However, if there are still bank accounts or A power of attorney becomes operative immediately modifications, collaborative law, pre/post nuptial
other assets in the decedent’s name at the time of death, upon execution. Florida does not permit a signatory agreements) and real estate (community association law,
and those accounts do not have designated beneficiaries, to state a future date for effectiveness. This powerful residential and commercial transactions, deeds, closings).
it is likely that a probate shall be required. document gives the named attorney-in-fact the ability

FinanCial FoCuS

Should Investors “Go It Alone”?

By Sally Sima Stahl

If you’re going to enjoy a For example, when the financial markets are down, progress you’re actually making toward your goals.
comfortable retirement, you as was the case for much of 2022, some investors make In some areas of life, going it alone can be exciting –
should know, among other decisions based on short-term volatility, such as selling but when it comes to investing for your future, you may
things, how much money investments to “cut their losses,” even if these same benefit from some company on the journey.
you’ll need. And you may investments still have solid business fundamentals This article was written by Edward Jones for use by
have a much better chance and good prospects for growth. But if you work with a your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Edward
of knowing this if you get financial professional, you might decide to stick with Jones, Member SIPC.
some professional help. these investments, especially if they’re still appropriate Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in
Consider these findings for your long-term strategy. Other times, of course, the all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D.
from a 2021 study by advice may be different – but it will always be advice Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and
Dalbar, a financial services based on your goals, needs and time horizon. Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency
market research firm: Furthermore, if you’re investing on your own, you may of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of
• Investors who worked with a financial advisor were always be measuring your results against the major market New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency
three times more likely to estimate what they would have indexes, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial of Massachusetts, L.L.C.
saved at retirement than “do-it-yourself” investors. Average. But in reality, your portfolio should contain a wide Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors
• More than two-thirds of investors with a financial range of investments, some of which aren’t contained in these cannot provide tax advice. You should consult your
advisor were satisfied with the amount they would have indexes, so you might not be assessing your performance qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.
saved at retirement, compared to about 27 percent of the appropriately. A financial professional can help you develop Contact us at (561) 748-7600, Sally Sima Stahl, AAMS,
do-it-yourselfers. your own, more meaningful benchmarks that can show the 1851 W. Indiantown Road, Ste. 106, Jupiter, FL 33458.
How do financial professionals help their clients in
these ways?
First, consider the issue of determining how much
money will be needed for retirement. It’s not always easy
for individuals to estimate this amount. But financial
professionals can help clients like you arrive at this figure
by exploring your hopes and goals. How long do you plan to
work? What kind of lifestyle do you anticipate enjoying in
retirement? Where would you like to live? How much would
you like to travel? Are you open to pursuing earned income Upscale Resale
opportunities, such as consulting or working part-time?
Next comes the other key question: How much money Experience The Difference
will be available for retirement? This big question leads to
many others: How much do you need to save and invest New and consigned furniture, unique lighting, accessories and gifts.
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return will you need to reach your retirement income
goals? What level of risk are you willing to take to achieve
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as Social Security or any pensions you might have?
Having a financial professional help you gain a clear
idea of your retirement income picture can certainly be
reassuring. But there may be other reasons why “going
it alone” as an investor might not be desirable.

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