You should include a notarized self-proving affidavit to the will. This is a separate sheet of paper attached to your will that is signed and sworn to under oath)at the same time you sign your will before witnesses.

An executor, or personal representative, is nominated by a person in his/her will and approved by a court to manage and distribute probate assets in accordance with the terms of the will.

If you have minor children, you should always name a guardian for them in your will. You should also name an alternate guardian in case your first choice is unable to serve for any reason.

Testamentary trusts are trusts created in a will. Trusts are commonly created to provide for minor children following a parent’s death.

Selecting qualified and trustworthy persons to manage your estate following your death can be difficult.

Factors to consider include:

• Cost

• Security

• Permanence

• Investment experience and policy

• Conflicts of interest

Disinheriting a relative can be more difficult than you would imagine.

In a will, gifts are called bequests.

In order for a will to be enforced, a court will require capacity, free will, witnesses and intent.

Did you know that there are several different types of wills? In fact, each state has different rules on what wills are valid.

Each state has its own requirements for a valid will execution. In addition, federal law provides that service members and their families may be receive legal assistance that includes “military testamentary instruments” valid in every state.

A power of attorney is a document that lets you name someone to make decisions on your behalf. This appointment can take effect immediately if you become unable to make those decisions on your own. For example, if you become mentally incapacitated or deploy to another country, you may be unable to make necessary decisions personally.

If you have been selected as an Attorney-in-Fact, you may exercise the powers authorized in the Power of Attorney upon signing. As a fiduciary acting on the Principal’s behalf, you must act prudently and reasonably in managing the Principal’s affairs.

A health care power of attorney is a document in which you designate someone to be your representative, or agent, in the event you are unable to make or communicate decisions about all aspects of your health care. Specifically, it empowers your agent to make health care decisions in the event of your incapacity.

Military pay stops when a member dies. The Survivor Benefit Plan, or SBP, is an annuity that provides a beneficiary with monthly payments for life.

A power of attorney is a document that lets you name someone to make decisions on your behalf. This appointment can take effect immediately if you become unable to make those decisions on your own. For example, if you become mentally incapacitated or deploy to another country, you may be unable to make necessary decisions personally.

A health care power of attorney is a document in which you designate someone to be your representative, or agent, in the event you are unable to make or communicate decisions about all aspects of your health care. Specifically, it empowers your agent to make health care decisions in the event of your incapacity.

Testamentary trusts are trusts created in a will. Trusts are commonly created to provide for minor children following a parent’s death.

Selecting qualified and trustworthy persons to manage your estate following your death can be difficult.

Factors to consider include:

• Cost

• Security

• Permanence

• Investment experience and policy

• Conflicts of interest

Disinheriting a relative can be more difficult than you would imagine.

SGLI is a program that provides term life insurance coverage to eligible service members. If eligible, you are automatically issued the maximum SGLI coverage. Coverage is available in $50,000 increments up to the maximum of $400,000.

You should include a notarized self-proving affidavit to the will. This is a separate sheet of paper attached to your will that is signed and sworn to under oath)at the same time you sign your will before witnesses.

Probate is a court process to prove the validity of a will and to carry out its provisions.

Probate begins by choosing the proper court. Jurisdiction is normally specified in the will itself.

Probate is the court process of proving the validity of a will and carrying out its provisions. As a general rule, assets solely owned by a person who dies is included in his/her “probate estate.”

An executor, or personal representative, is nominated by a person in his/her will and approved by a court to manage and distribute probate assets in accordance with the terms of the will.

Disinheriting a relative can be more difficult than you would imagine.

In order for a will to be enforced, a court will require capacity, free will, witnesses and intent.

Probate is a court-supervised process used to validate your will and distribute your property. Many people want to avoid the costs and time associated with the probate process.

Learn about divorce in Florida (FL), including steps, grounds, time, forms, and fees.

Here are the steps involved in a divorce in Florida:
1. File a Petition
2. File an Answer
3. File Required Affidavits/Worksheet
4. Discovery
5. Mediation
6. Final Hearing

Florida courts try to ensure that both parents have frequent contact with a child following separation or divorce. As such, the default time-sharing plan in Florida is 50-50 visitation for each parent, regardless of the child’s age or gender.

Alimony, or spousal support, is based upon one spouse’s need for financial support and the other spouse’s ability to pay.

Florida law provides for an “equitable distribution” of marital assets and debts in a divorce. Although the court must begin with the presumption that all marital assets and debts are to be divided equally between the parties, the court may make an unequal division if the judge thinks that is fair.

Learn about filing for divorce in Walton County, Florida (FL), including fees, process, and court.

Mediation is a process where a neutral third party called a “mediator” acts to encourage and facilitate the resolution of a dispute between two or more parties. It is informal and non-adversarial. As opposed to court, decision-making authority rests with the parties. A majority of cases settle through mediation.

Here are the steps involved in a divorce in Florida:
1. File a Petition
2. File an Answer
3. File Required Affidavits/Worksheet
4. Discovery
5. Mediation
6. Final Hearing

Alimony, or spousal support, consists of periodic payments made from one spouse to another during and following a divorce.

The Consumer Credit Protection Act limits the amount that can be deducted as child support or alimony from earnings.

Laws and requirements for relocating parents vary by state.

The laws of the state in which you were divorced or, if unmarried, where your child lives will apply.

Military pay stops when a member dies. The Survivor Benefit Plan, or SBP, is an annuity that provides a beneficiary with monthly payments for life.

In so many ways, the military community is a different beast. We have our own lingo. Our own unique challenges. Our own justice system. We rely on established, consistent systems to manage life's curveballs.

The Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA) recognizes the right of state courts to distribute military retired pay to a spouse or former spouse and provides a method of enforcing these orders through the Department of Defense.

Child support is established by court order. The amount of support is generally determined by guidelines provided by each state. Once established, child support remains in effect at the rate determined by the initial court order unless and until modified by a subsequent order.

Adopting a stepchild is the most common form of adoption. A stepparent who adopts agrees to become the legal parent and be fully responsible for his or her spouse’s child. After the stepparent adoption occurs, the noncustodial parent (the parent not living with the child) no longer has any rights or responsibilities for the child, including child support.

Every state has laws providing for the termination of parental rights by a court. Termination ends the legal parent-child relationship. Once the relationship has been terminated, the child is legally free to be placed for adoption.

Approximately 1/3 of adoptions in the United States involve foreign-born children. The process of international adoption will vary with the child’s birth country.

Most adoptions are lengthy, expensive and emotional. Like all family law, adoption is a product of state law. However, most states have very similar adoption laws.

Service members on active duty, including Reserve Component members who are called to active duty for 180 or more consecutive days, are eligible to request reimbursement for qualifying adoption expenses related to adoption of a child under 18 years of age.

A Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) is a part of the Disability Evaluation System (DES). The purpose of the MEB is to determine if a military member is medically fit for continued military service.

Most states require that personal injury cases for minors be approved by the court. In cases exceeding a certain amount, the court will require a hearing attended by both the minor and legal guardian.

Federal civilian employees and National Guard dual-status technicians are entitled to compensation under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, or FECA, for job-related injuries or illnesses.

A line of duty determination, or LOD, is used to establish whether a military member’s illness, injury, disease or death is duty-related, thus entitling the member to certain benefits.

The Military Lending Act, or MLA, says that military members cannot be charged an interest rate higher than 36 percent on most types of consumer loans and provides other significant rights.

Military members are required to manage their financial affairs and timely pay debts.

Only civil authorities can enforce payment of private debts. Creditors and debt collectors are not entitled to command assistance in collecting a debt.

The Military Lending Act, or MLA, says that military members cannot be charged an interest rate higher than 36 percent on most types of consumer loans and provides other significant rights.

Military members are required to manage their financial affairs and timely pay debts.

Only civil authorities can enforce payment of private debts. Creditors and debt collectors are not entitled to command assistance in collecting a debt.