• Life insurance policies
• Bank accounts
• Investment accounts
• Retirement accounts

To make sure you do not forget to change an account, you should have an experienced attorney take inventory of all of your accounts and policies.

Consequences of Failing to Change a Beneficiary

If you fail to change a named beneficiary before you pass away, your former spouse may inherit the proceeds of your accounts, which you likely would not want. In addition, your children will not have a right to these funds being used for their benefit. This is especially important if your children are from a previous relationship and your former spouse has no legal parental obligations to support them. If your children wish to challenge the inheritance of your former spouse, it may require a costly legal battle.

Some people may believe that stating in their last will and testament that their former spouse is not a beneficiary will cover the bases for all of their accounts. However, this is not always the case as many designations for beneficiaries supersede the provisions of your will.

Florida Laws Regarding Beneficiaries

In 2012, Florida legislators did pass a law addressing beneficiary designations of ex-spouses. The law refers to life insurance policies, IRAs, employer benefit plans, securities, and pay-on-death accounts. The dissolution of a marriage effectively voids the designation of the former spouse as the beneficiary for such accounts. An insurance company or other type of payor can examine the marital status of the deceased person as well as the relationship between the deceased person and the beneficiary and, if they have been divorced, they can pay the benefits to a named secondary beneficiary.

Though Florida’s law does provide some protections in the event that a divorced person fails to change their beneficiaries, the law does have many exceptions. It is still always important to change your beneficiaries and not rely on the law to protect the interests of your children or other heirs.

An Experienced Boca Raton Family Law Attorney Can Help You

There are many different tasks that are important throughout the divorce process that you may not be aware of. Fortunately, an experienced divorce attorney will be familiar with all of the steps that need to be taken and will make sure that no important detail is forgotten. This will ensure that you are in the best position possible for your future and your family. At the law office of divorce lawyer Alan R. Burton, we carefully and thoroughly evaluate the needs of every client to provide the highest quality of representation. Please call our office at 954-229-1660 for a free consultation.

Many individuals may not know where to begin in selecting a divorce attorney and how to make sure they make a quality choice. While you may be tempted to simply do a quick internet search and choose the first name, this may or may not be the right decision for you. Divorce is a sensitive legal matter that can have significant and long-lasting effects on your life, so you should always choose an attorney as carefully as you would choose a surgeon or other life-changing professional. The following are some things you may want to consider when you are deciding you will represent you throughout your divorce.

Do Your Friends Have Recommendations?

Asking friends or family members who have been divorced for attorney recommendations may be helpful. However, you should only seek advice from individuals whose divorce situation was similar to yours. For example, if a friend had no kids and no property, his or her legal needs are likely very different from a person who owns a home, has assets and investments, and/or has children. Every divorce is different, so take that into consideration when listening to recommendations.

Do You Get Along With the Lawyer?

In your first consultation, make note of the family law attorney’s likability, temperament, and whether you think they can relate to you. Divorce can be a long and emotional process and you want to be able to get along with and feel supported by the individual who is representing you.

Do They Listen to Your Goals?

Some individuals want to get a divorce finalized as quickly and efficiently as possible, while others are determined to obtain certain property or spousal support even if it takes more resources to do so. Find out whether the attorney has experience in handling divorces with your particular goals. Additionally, if you do not wish to battle it out in court, ask whether the lawyer regularly engages in alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation or collaborative divorce.

Contact a Boca Raton Family Law Attorney to Discuss Your Case Today

At the family law office of Alan R. Burton in Boca Raton, we understand that choosing the right divorce attorney for you can be a daunting process. We will always be open and honest with you in answering your questions and helping you decide whether we are the best fit for you in your divorce. We have extensive experience handling a wide range of divorce and family law matters, including child custody, child support, spousal support, division or property, and more. Please call today at (954) 229-1660 to find out more about how we can help you.