Page 26 - Boca ViewPointe - December '24

Page 26, Viewpointe December 2024
Tax Talk

Dear Friends: Hello, May I Help You? of address form, this new change requires the applicant bring
As 2024 comes to a close, two additional documents containing the name of the person
I want to take this time to You have checked our website, read through your with which they are residing. For a complete list of the new
thank you for being part of Tax Planner and Services Guide, but still have a question required driver’s license and ID card documents, visit pbctax.
the “Tax Talk” family and concerning our services. Our Client Care Representatives in gov/driver-license/.
know that I thoroughly enjoy our Client Care and Research Center (call center) are ready
chatting with you each month. to take your call or answer your email and help you with Found Money?
I hope you enjoy hearing more your question. This year, we have added an additional five
about my office, Palm Beach representatives to help keep wait times to a minimum during Did you know there could be thousands of dollars waiting
County and the occasional our busy season. With an average of 1,700 calls coming into for you? Some clients overpay on their transactions, and if this
news about my cats, Biden the call center each day, we are proud that we have reduced happens, we issue a refund check for the amount overpaid.
and Bader. They bring me so wait times to an average of five minutes. While the team is If the refund is returned to us as undeliverable, we continue
much joy, even when they are just being cats and lounging working hard to answer all calls quickly this time of year, to attempt to issue the refund. Once we have explored all
around as they are doing in this picture. you may experience longer than normal wait times, so we refund options, we post a list of unclaimed funds on our
appreciate your patience. Representatives can be reached at website hoping that clients can reclaim the money due to
(561) 355-2264 and are available Monday through Friday, them. We hold onto these funds for at least one year. If the
8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. funds remain unclaimed, we forward those funds to the state
of the last known address.

I want to take this time to wish you, your family, friends
and even your pets – we can’t forget them, a very happy
holiday season. Whether you are enjoying the holidays here
in South Florida or traveling to be with family, take time Don’t want to call us? You can always email us at Currently, there is
to recharge and relax and enjoy all the traditions that the clientadvocate@pbctax.com for assistance and you can more than $749,000 in
holidays so befittingly offer. I look forward to communicating expect a response from one of Client Care Representatives unclaimed funds available.
with you in 2025! within two business days. So, I encourage you to
Happy holidays and happy new year! check if your name is on
Anne M. Gannon, New Address Change the list to see if there are
Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County funds waiting for you!
Requirements Visit Palm Beach County
Unclaimed Funds and State of Florida Unclaimed Funds
Watch Your Speed! to the proof of address documents required for driver’s for more information and good luck!
Did you know that there were recent changes made

licenses and ID cards? These documents verify that
Speeding fines driver’s license and ID card applicants are residents of
are being enforced! Florida by requiring two pieces of qualifying documents
Fine schedule: 6-20 in their name. This new requirement is a simple process
mph over the limit for most individuals; however, others may not have certain
$50 and more than documents that contain their name and address. For
21 mph over the limit example, teens getting their learner’s permit or individuals
$100. Please obey living with family members.
the posted speed Under this new address change requirement, those
limit signs and drive individuals have a few options. They can complete a
safely!  certification of address document, and have it signed by our
staff during their reservation or they can have it signed by a
notary prior to their reservation. In addition to the certification
The Many Reasons To Avoid Probate

By Martin Zevin, Attorney Representative has been discharged by the court, the estate
You have heard that probate must be reopened and more formalities must be followed.
Attention is something to avoid; however, the value of the estate. Florida law authorizes a 3% fee on
2. The attorney’s fees can be quite high, depending on
unless you have been through it,
the first million dollars, and a sliding percentage thereafter.
you may not understand why.
All Residents! Here are some basic facts about The Personal Representative can negotiate with the lawyer
probate in Florida:
for a lower fee. If the estate is valued at $700,000 and the

1. Full Probate (assets over
$75,000 or under $75,000 fee is reduced from 3% to 2%, that is still a $14,000 fee,
plus about $1,000 in court costs for filing fees, publication
with creditors) takes at least in the newspaper, etc. An attorney can also charge an hourly
Please keep garage doors six months to a year or longer. rate, but this could easily exceed the 3%, particularly on
smaller estates.
During that time, the assets being
closed. Your security probated are tied up. If your heirs want to sell your home in 3. The Personal Representative will probably need to pay
begins at home! probate, they must go through a formal process. This includes money out of pocket for initial costs and a retainer for the
filing a petition to administer the estate. If successful, the attorney, plus funeral bills if not already pre-paid. In addition,
judge of the probate court will sign an Order called Letters of if real estate is involved, the Personal Representative may
Administration. This could take one to three months. have to pay taxes, utilities, maintenance, mortgage payments
The next step is Notice to Creditors published in a etc. until access to estate funds is authorized. The Personal
newspaper. This must be done even if there are no creditors. Representatives will reimburse themselves at that time, but
Creditors have 90 days from the date of first publication to it could cause hardship if personal funds are limited.
file a claim against the estate. Nothing can be done regarding 4. All of the above is stressful and time consuming for
distribution of the assets until after the ninety days. the Personal Representative. Although a fee is allowed, this
A tax ID number from the IRS must be obtained for the could be an issue if family members or other beneficiaries
estate. Once the Personal Representative (Executor) obtains object.
the Letters of Administration and the tax ID number, an estate That is just a brief summary of why it is so crucial to have
account can be opened to transfer any funds from an account proper and complete estate planning with a lawyer to be sure
or future proceeds from the sale of a home or other real estate. that ALL assets avoid probate. Please refer to many of my
If real estate is involved, a court order is generally necessary other articles for practical tips on avoiding probate.
to allow the closing and another court order may be necessary My Dad used to say: “May you live as long as you want
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing to distribute proceeds. and never want as long as you live.” I will add: when you
Palm Beach County and is a privately A formal Inventory must be filed listing exact date of die, may your heirs avoid probate!
owned and managed company. death values of all assets being probated. I am available for a free personal meeting or phone
Captain’s is committed to providing A formal accounting may be necessary if all beneficiaries consultation regarding Estate Planning. Call me at (954)
dependable, reliable and professional do not agree to waive it. 569-4878. My address is 3275 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite
ground transportation to and from all Once all distributions are made, the estate cannot be closed 204, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442. My web site is www.
South Florida Airports and Seaports. PBCVH212 without another court order. martinzevinpa.com. My e-mail address is martinzevin@
To reserve your vehicle: If an estate asset is discovered after the Personal netzero.com.
561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com Paid Advertisement