When you hire a new worker, it is important that you properly classify them as either an employee or independent contractor. If you misclassify a worker's status, this will have major implications for the Employer's taxes as well as the Workers'. If you classify a worker as an Employee, the Employer will be liable for payment of  FICA, FUTA and State Unemployment taxes. In addition, the worker will be eligible to participate in any retirement  or health benefit plans maintained by the Employer.

In the event IRS deteremines that you owe taxes because :

1.  you signed a joint return with your spouse or ex spouse

2. your spouse or ex spouse did not report all income or paid all taxes when due

Probate is the court supervised legal process that includes determining the validity of your will, gathering your assets, paying your debts, taxes, and the expenses of will administration, and then distributing the remaining assets to those persons entitled to them.

Divorced and required to "share" your retirement plan with your ex-spouse? If you just give the money from your plan without following Federal guidelines, you will  trigger severe income tax consequences. The way to avoid these consequences is by use of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order("QDRO").

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP NOTICE - What is a Section 193.1556 "Change of Ownership" notice and when do I need to file one?

The Legislature adopted Section 193.1556, Florida Statutes, in 2008 in response to the voter passage of the constitutional amendment which granted a 10% annual assessment increase cap to all non-homesteaded property.

In the event you are SOON TO BE DIVORCED OR ARE DIVORCED, you need  to revise your wills, living wills, power of attorney and all other estate planning documents you have. If you do not have an estate plan you need one.

Once you are divorced, if you have no estate plan and die owning assets in your name, Florida law will govern who gets the assets and who controls the assets. Your wishes will not bind the Court in any fashion. At the very least, a Will is required to dispose of your assets as you rather than a Court wishes.

If you are involved in a Domestic Partnership, proper pre emptive estate planning with your Partner may avoid protracted legal entanglements in the future.  By preparing, Powers of Attorney, Joint Living Arrangement Contracts, Wills, Trusts and Health Care Directives you rather than others can set the parameters of your Partners involvement into your affairs.

A Revocable Trust is a document that you create during your lifetime and fund with assets. If you fund your Trust while you are living you will have the following advantages:

A will is a document that allows you to designate where you want your property to go after your death. If you do not have a Will, the State of Florida will designate who gets your property and you will be giving up valuable rights.

You should review your estate plan when:

• You have children
• Your children grow up
• Death or Divorce
• Remarraige

Two of the most important  limits for 2011 Florida Medicaid are as follows:

Gross Monthly Income Cap: $2022.00