http://www.naplesnews.com/news/legalforum/columnists/five_people/?partner=RSSNaples Daily News Stories: Five Peopleen-uslegalforum/columnists/five_peoplehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/mar/10/estate-planningtwo-probates-one-too-many/?partner=RSSIt is often impossible to avoid having at least a small probate estate and it may even be advantageous to have a probate decree naming one or more persons or institutions as the estate’s officially recognized spokesperson, known as the “personal representative” in Florida and “executor” in many other states. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:17:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-231676-733841legalforum/columnists/five_peopleAlan S. NovickNaples, FLEstate Planning:Two probates is one too many Naples Daily Newsestate-planningtwo-probates-one-too-manyurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-231676-733841Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/mar/10/estate-planning-living-wills-and-health-care-desig/?partner=RSSPlans for retirement should include taking an inventory of estate planning documents including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, pensions and IRAs as well as living wills or health-care designations. The use of a living wills and designation of health-care surrogate should be considered as part of every estate plan. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:15:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-231675-733841legalforum/columnists/five_peopleAlan S. NovickNaples, FLEstate Planning: Living wills and health-care designations for retirementNaples Daily Newsestate-planning-living-wills-and-health-care-desigurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-231675-733841Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/feb/10/opinion-year-end-estate-planning-and-tax-reminders/?partner=RSSIt is time again to face year-end chores, including gathering income tax information and estate and gift tax plans. In previous years, a good start would be to first review assets: what is owned, how much is it worth, how is it owned and who gets it when you die? This year, the most important start is to review the actual wording of existing wills and trusts. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:19:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-228858-733813legalforum/columnists/five_peopleAlan S. NovickNaples, FLOPINION: Year-end estate planning and tax remindersNaples Daily Newsopinion-year-end-estate-planning-and-tax-remindersurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-228858-733813Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/feb/10/cell-phones-banned-drivers-driving-texting/?partner=RSSToday, Blackberry e-mails, smart phone Internet searches, cellular phone calls and text messaging while driving combine to make crashes more likely. If victims of a collision are lucky enough to escape death, many can expect life-long injuries. The injuries often prevent them from working, and most accident victims will have medical bills and require ongoing care and treatment. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:14:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-228855-733813legalforum/columnists/five_peopleJoseph J. Bernardo Naples, FLOpinion: Should cell phones be banned for drivers?Naples Daily Newscell-phones-banned-drivers-driving-textingurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-228855-733813Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jan/21/opinion-safety-risks-encountered-many-foreclosed-p/?partner=RSSHave you noticed some of the foreclosed properties throughout Southwest Florida lately? These days foreclosed properties are difficult to miss. They are on every block, in every neighborhood, and in every city and county throughout Southwest Florida. Unfortunately, little attention is given to the care of these foreclosed properties, by current owners — our banks. These properties have become an eyesore for passersby and a danger to those who enter. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-226863-733793legalforum/columnists/five_peopleJoseph J. BernardoNaples, FLOpinion: Safety risks encountered at many foreclosed propertiesNaples Daily Newsopinion-safety-risks-encountered-many-foreclosed-purn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-226863-733793Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/dec/17/house-passes-permanent-estate-tax-bill/?partner=RSSThe Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act of 2009 (H.R. 4154) would make permanent the $3.5 million estate tax exemption and 45 percent top estate tax rate. The bill would also cancel the permanent repeal of the federal estate tax (scheduled to take effect in 2010). Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:12:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-223927-733758legalforum/columnists/five_peopleBy Christopher P. Bray, Attorney & professor of lawNaples, FLHouse passes ‘permanent’ estate tax billNaples Daily Newshouse-passes-permanent-estate-tax-billurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-223927-733758Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/dec/17/guest-commentary-synthes-recall-highlights-local-f/?partner=RSSFort Myers attorneys Viles & Beckman are ready to take on the massive recall involving vertebral replacement components, Synthes. Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:09:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-223926-733758legalforum/columnists/five_peopleBy Nathan Johnson, Viles & BeckmanNaples, FLGuest Commentary: Synthes recall highlights local firm’s crusadeNaples Daily Newsguest-commentary-synthes-recall-highlights-local-furn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-223926-733758Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/dec/17/year-end-tax-reminders-planning-can-reduce-amount-/?partner=RSSIt is again time to face year-end chores, including gathering income tax information and estate and gift tax plans. A good start is to review assets. What is owned, how much is it worth, how is it owned, and who gets it when you die? Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:07:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-223925-733758legalforum/columnists/five_peopleAlan S. NovickNaples, FLYear-end tax reminders: Planning can reduce the amount of taxes owedNaples Daily Newsyear-end-tax-reminders-planning-can-reduce-amount-urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-223925-733758Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/nov/04/important-planning-reviews-2010/?partner=RSSHere is a quick checklist of estate planning items that serves as a general checkup on plans now in place, as well as potential changes due to expected changes in estate tax laws scheduled for 2010 and 2011: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:58:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-214903-733715legalforum/columnists/five_peopleBy Alan S. NovickNaples, FLImportant planning reviews before 2010Naples Daily Newsimportant-planning-reviews-2010urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-214903-733715Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/oct/21/mortgage-fraud-serious-offense/?partner=RSSA man approaches and hands you an official-looking envelope. Inside is a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice, United States Attorney, Middle District of Florida. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:30:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-213566-733701legalforum/columnists/five_peopleLee HollanderNaples, FLMortgage fraud is a serious offenseNaples Daily Newsmortgage-fraud-serious-offenseurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-213566-733701Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/oct/21/releases-exculpatory-clauses-and-7000-dog/?partner=RSSIn September, the 2nd District Court of Appeals whose territory covers Collier County explained the distinction between a release and an exculpatory clause. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:24:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-213562-733701legalforum/columnists/five_peopleMarc HulingNaples, FLReleases, exculpatory clauses and a $7,000 dogNaples Daily Newsreleases-exculpatory-clauses-and-7000-dogurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-213562-733701Change0Usable