Escape April Showers This Spring 3 Vacations Spots to Avoid Seasonal Gloom April showers bring May
streets where you can immerse yourself in the parades that travel through the city during Holy Week. Brass bands build up to a beautiful celebration on Easter, and just two weeks later, the Feria de Abril begins. This fiesta is full of lively parties, even more music, and colorful costumes. Sevillanos on horseback and the clacking footwork of flamenco dancers are captivating to watch, so don’t miss out by getting rained in. Malta Located to the south of mainland Europe in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is part of an archipelago consisting of several islands, including Gozo and Comino. Because of its diverse cultures, you’ll hear Arab accents in the language as you pass Baroque architecture. Nature lovers, hikers, and landscape photographers alike can explore the rocky coastlines, impressive rock formations, and dazzling sea caves, such as the Blue Grotto (Malta), plus beautiful beaches like Ramia Bay (Gozo) and Ghajn Tuffieha Bay (Malta). However, the biggest advantage of traveling in Malta is that everything is in full bloom: green fields, blooming citrus trees, and beautiful flowers. If you go in spring, you’ll beat the tourists, too, as summer is peak season.
flowers, but you don’t have to stick around to wait for them to bloom. Escape to these three destinations and enjoy the new life of spring without the rain.
Amsterdam, Holland, Netherlands Why wait for May to see spring flowers?
All April long, Holland sports the most beautiful colors in the world, and people from all over the globe go enjoy the Keukenhof Garden Festival. This festival has occurred for 75 years, and as it’s only 30 minutes away from Amsterdam proper, you can experience the best of both worlds. Explore the thousands of tulips during the day and then spend time in the city, exploring the beautiful canals and shopping districts in the evening. Don’t worry if you miss the beautiful flowers; most of the city’s museums and hotels have tulips, too. Seville, Spain Embark on an enchanting journey to Seville, where vibrant culture and passion come alive. Picture yourself strolling through cobblestone
a n s E s t a t e P l a n E l e m e
In my 30-plus years of legal practice, I have had the opportunity to review numerous estate plans. New clients commonly express confidence in their plans based on previous attorneys’ assurances. However, upon closer examination and meaningful discussion, it becomes clear that these plans often fall short of achieving their intended goals. Here, I will outline a few missing elements of estate planning I’ve encountered. State-Specific Laws Each state has unique laws governing estate planning, and Florida is no exception. Matters such as testamentary document execution, permissible content, tax implications, marital property rights, disinheriting children, distribution to minor beneficiaries, Florida homestead disposition, and income and principal determination are critical considerations. Failure to address these could lead to unintended consequences. Many attorneys licensed in Florida overlook these crucial matters. 2 floridaestateplanning.com
IRA and 401(k) Plans The distribution of IRA and 401(k) accounts typically falls outside the purview of wills or trusts and is governed by beneficiary forms. Yet, I often come across estate plans where specific distributions are mandated by the will or trust, potentially leading to insufficient funds to fulfill intended bequests. Additionally, many plans miss income planning opportunities for beneficiaries. Income Tax Planning Many estate plans focus excessively on minimizing estate taxes, disregarding the current high federal exemptions. This can result in provisions that increase income tax burdens on beneficiaries. It’s essential to align planning strategies with the appropriate tax considerations based on individual circumstances. Estate Tax Planning For estates subject to estate tax or those owning real property in states with state-
level taxes, changes in laws and strategies necessitate regular review and updates to estate plans. Signs of outdated planning include tax formula language or plan execution dates. Failure to Align Assets With the Estate Plan Proper titling and coordination of assets with the estate plan are essential to avoid probate and ensure the plan’s effectiveness. Regular updates are necessary to maintain alignment, especially with changes in assets or circumstances. Addressing these common areas of concern is vital for ensuring your estate plan does what you intend. If any of these issues resonate with your situation, seek guidance from a competent attorney for a thorough review. Call Sheppard Law Firm today!
–Craig Hersch
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