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Sonny Bono was known for his success as a singer, actor, and politician—but when he tragically died in a 1998 skiing accident, he left behind something that shocked the legal world: no will.

While Bono’s life was colorful and high-profile, his lack of basic estate planning led to complications that could have easily been avoided. His case is a powerful reminder that no matter how famous—or seemingly organized—you may be, dying intestate (without a will) can cause a cascade of legal and emotional trouble for your loved ones.

What Went Wrong?

1. No Will, No Direction

Despite his wealth and public status, Sonny Bono never created a will. That meant the laws of intestate succession determined how his estate would be distributed—rather than Bono’s own wishes. In California, this meant his wife, Mary Bono, and his two children were considered heirs.

2. A Surprise Child Emerged

Shortly after Bono’s death, a man named Sean Machu came forward claiming to be Bono’s illegitimate son and sought a share of the estate. Although he ultimately withdrew his claim, the emergence of an alleged child illustrates a key risk of dying without a will—unexpected heirs can appear, and courts must take them seriously.

3. Cher’s Legal Involvement

Bono’s ex-wife and former music partner, Cher, also entered the fray. She filed a claim for unpaid spousal support and royalties. Since divorce decrees and past obligations can persist beyond death, Cher's claim had to be litigated alongside the rest of the estate issues.

Key Probate Lessons from Sonny Bono’s Estate

1. Always Have a Will—No Matter What

Even a simple will could have prevented most of the conflict. Without it, state law dictates who inherits, and the process is rarely aligned with what the deceased would have wanted.

2. Address Paternity and Potential Heirs

When a will exists, it can explicitly disinherit someone or clarify family relationships—avoiding prolonged court inquiries into paternity and surprise heirs.

3. Don’t Forget Divorce Obligations

Estate plans should account for existing divorce decrees, spousal support, and royalty rights. These don’t automatically disappear at death. If you have an ex-spouse, consult your estate planning attorney to ensure everything is covered.

4. Update Your Plan After Life Changes

Marriage, divorce, political career, new children—Bono had all of these. Major life events should always trigger a review and possible update of your estate plan.

Why This Matters for Florida Residents

Under Florida probate law, dying intestate can have serious consequences, especially if you’re in a blended family, have children from prior relationships, or own property outside of Florida. Without a will, your estate may pass in ways you never intended, and disputes can delay the process and increase costs.

→ Understanding the Probate Process: What to Expect in Florida→ Avoiding Common Estate Planning Mistakes in Florida

Final Thoughts

Sonny Bono's estate serves as a cautionary tale for anyone who hasn't taken the time to draft a will. While his case played out in California, the same principles apply here in Florida. Whether you're managing royalties or just want to make sure your home passes to the right person, proactive estate planning is essential.

At Bart Scovill, PLC, we help Florida residents ensure their legacy is protected and their loved ones are spared unnecessary conflict.

Don’t leave your family guessing.Call 941-365-2253 or email firm@scovills.com to schedule a consultation today. https://scovills.com/?p=2387

Check out our e-foiling lawyer with more Myths. https://youtu.be/nzOl6WFnxKI?si=Kb1BTfdpAtt6Z_WX

If you’re creating an estate plan in Florida and own a boat—whether it’s a modest fishing skiff or a luxury cruiser—you may be wondering: should that boat be placed into your revocable trust?

The answer depends on your goals, the boat’s value, and how your assets are structured. Let’s look at the key considerations.

Why You Might Put a Boat in a Revocable Trust

1. To Avoid Probate

One of the main reasons people use revocable trusts is to avoid probate, the court-supervised process of transferring assets after death. In Florida, probate can be time-consuming and public. If your boat is titled in your name alone, it will likely have to go through probate unless it's in your trust.

2. To Keep Your Affairs Private

Probate records are public. If you prefer to keep your beneficiaries, asset values, and estate plan private, a revocable trust helps accomplish that. Your boat can pass quietly to your chosen heir without court involvement.

3. To Ensure a Smooth Transfer

Boats that are in a trust can be managed or transferred by your trustee without delay, which is particularly helpful if a surviving spouse, family member, or business partner needs immediate access.

4. If the Boat Is Tied to Other Property

For boats used at a vacation home or as part of a rental or business asset, titling it in the trust keeps everything under the same management umbrella.

When a Trust Might Not Be Necessary

1. The Boat Is of Low Value or Untitled

Many small boats or personal watercraft (like kayaks or canoes) are not titled or registered. In such cases, the hassle of retitling the boat into the trust may outweigh the benefit.

2. The Estate Qualifies for Simplified Probate

If your estate is modest, your heirs may be able to use Florida’s summary administration process, making trust planning for the boat less urgent.

3. Registration or Insurance Complications

Some marinas, insurers, or government agencies may have additional paperwork requirements for boats owned by trusts. It’s manageable, but it’s worth checking with your insurer or agent first.

How to Put a Boat into a Trust

If you decide to go ahead, here’s how it’s done:

- Check title and registration requirements with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

- Update the title to reflect the trust name. For example:“John Doe, Trustee of the John Doe Revocable Trust dated January 1, 2020.”

- Notify your insurance company and marina, if applicable.

- Include the boat on your trust schedule or assignment of personal property to document its inclusion.

If you prefer not to retitle now, you could at least include language in your trust or will allowing the trustee to collect or manage the boat after your death—though this might still require probate.

Take the Helm of Your Estate Plan

Your estate plan should work as smoothly as your time on the water. Let Bart Scovill, PLC help you protect your boat and other assets with confidence and clarity.

Schedule your consultation today:
📞 941-365-2253
📧 firm@scovills.com
🌐 www.scovills.com https://scovills.com/?p=2405

Our latest installment of Estate Planning & Probate Myths & Mistakes! https://youtu.be/DelA2GQ7I9c?si=E1Y8cQoVlHmDLu9n

The recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) marks a significant shift in estate planning for high-net-worth families. While the bill has not yet been signed into law, it has already passed the House and is expected to be enacted soon. Here’s what you need to know about how this legislation affects your estate plan—especially if you’re planning for assets over $7 million.

🚨 The Big Change: Higher Estate Tax Exemptions Made Permanent

Beginning in 2026, the federal estate and gift tax exemption will be permanently set at $15 million per person (or $30 million for married couples), indexed for inflation moving forward.

What This Means for You:

- If your estate is under $15 million, you likely won’t owe federal estate taxes.

- If your estate is between $7 million and $15 million, this change eliminates the urgency to make large gifts before 2026.

- For ultra-high-net-worth families, this presents new opportunities for long-term planning without fear of the exemption being slashed in future years.

📊 The Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) Tax Exemption Also Rises

The GST exemption, which allows assets to skip a generation (such as passing directly to grandchildren), will also be set at the new $15 million level and adjusted annually for inflation. This makes dynasty trusts and multigenerational planning significantly more powerful and predictable.

🧾 Non-Tax Reasons to Still Do Estate Planning

Even if your estate falls below the new exemption level, estate planning is still essential for:

- Avoiding probate

- Protecting minor or disabled beneficiaries

- Managing incapacity with powers of attorney and advance directives

- Ensuring privacy and avoiding family disputes

- Creating succession plans for family businesses

🛠️ Estate Planning Strategies to Consider

StrategyPurposeDynasty TrustsMaximize long-term family wealth protection across generations.Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs)Allow gifting while retaining access to funds.Annual GiftingContinue leveraging the $18,000 per person annual exclusion.Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs)Transfer appreciating assets while minimizing gift tax.Charitable Giving VehiclesAlign philanthropy with tax and legacy goals.

Now is the time to reassess your trust structure, gifting plans, and family business succession documents to make sure you’re aligned with these changes.

📅 Why Timing Still Matters

If your estate is approaching or exceeds the $15 million threshold, proactive planning remains critical. Certain strategies—like irrevocable trusts—require time to implement, and early action can lock in advantages before further law changes or asset appreciation.

🔍 Bottom Line

The OBBBA brings welcome relief and planning certainty to many families, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for a sound estate plan. If anything, it creates a valuable opportunity to simplify and strengthen your planning under a more favorable tax structure.

Whether your goal is to minimize taxes, protect beneficiaries, or preserve family harmony, now is the perfect time to review or create your estate plan.

📞 Ready to Revisit Your Estate Plan?

At Bart Scovill, PLC, we focus on crafting customized estate plans that match your goals, protect your legacy, and make life easier for your loved ones.

Call us at 941-365-2253📧 Or email: firm@scovills.com🌐 Learn more: Scovills.com

📚 Sources

- MarketWatchEven with the megabill’s higher $15 million estate-tax exemption, estate planners won’t be out of jobshttps://www.marketwatch.com/story/even-with-the-megabills-higher-15-million-estate-tax-exemption-estate-planners-wont-be-out-of-jobs-f2241ae2

- ForbesEstate Planning and the Final OBBBA: Key Changes High-Net-Worth Individuals Must Knowhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewerskine/2025/07/03/estate-planning-and-the-final-obbba-key-changes-high-net-worth-individuals-must-know

- Frost Brown Todd LLPOne Big Beautiful Bill Act Enacts a Permanent Increase in the Estate and Gift Tax Lifetime Exclusion Amounthttps://frostbrowntodd.com/one-big-beautiful-bill-act-enacts-a-permanent-increase-in-the-estate-and-gift-tax-lifetime-exclusion-amount-for-2025-and-later-years

- The Wall Street JournalTrump Bill Would Raise Estate Tax Exemption to $15 Million and Make It Permanenthttps://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/tax-bill-estate-taxes-changes-cec157ff

- The Washington PostThe U.S. is giving up on taxing inheritanceshttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/06/18/inheritance-tax-exemption-increase https://scovills.com/?p=2447

Check out our latest Estate Planning myth… https://youtu.be/hJTjZoQ233E?si=u8DgWu2wOA-HG9ly

On July 4, 2025, Congress passed—and President Trump signed—the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping piece of legislation that dramatically reshapes taxes, federal benefits, and spending priorities.

For Florida residents, the bill’s effects are especially important to understand. Our state has a high share of seniors, Medicaid recipients, and working families who may gain or lose depending on their income level. Below is a breakdown of the bill’s key provisions and how they’re likely to affect Floridians from all walks of life.

This analysis is provided by ChatGPT, based on the full text of the bill and independent sources like the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), and respected media coverage.

🧾 What’s in the Bill?

- Tax Cuts Extended: Makes the 2017 individual and estate tax cuts permanent.

- New Deductions: Includes deductions for overtime pay, tips, EV/auto loans, and a special senior deduction.

- Child & Family Provisions: Increases the Child Tax Credit and introduces a $1,000 newborn bonus through a “Trump Account.”

- Cuts to Medicaid & SNAP: Reduces access and increases requirements for these programs—used by over 5 million Floridians.

- Environmental Rollbacks: Repeals many green energy incentives.

- Increased Spending Elsewhere: Expands defense and immigration enforcement budgets.

- Adds to the Deficit: CBO estimates an increase of up to $3.4 trillion over 10 years.

📊 What It Means for Florida Families

🧺 Low-Income Households (Bottom 20%)

- Tax Relief: Around $250–$300/year.

- Biggest Losses: Medicaid and SNAP eligibility will shrink, and copays will rise.

- Florida Impact: With Florida having one of the largest uninsured populations in the country, this may increase pressure on hospitals and local services.

- Net Result: Negative. Low-income Floridians likely to lose more in benefits than they gain in tax savings.

“Many low-income Floridians—especially seniors, disabled residents, and working parents—face greater health and financial risks due to benefit reductions.”

— ChatGPT, based on CBO and Florida policy data

🧮Lower-Middle Income ($15K–$50K)

- Tax Rate Drop: 7–27% cut, especially helpful for service workers (common in Florida’s tourism and hospitality sectors).

- Trump Account + Child Credit: Big boost for young families, especially in high-growth counties like Hillsborough and Lee.

- Medicaid Exposure: Risk of losing coverage remains high in this bracket.

- Net Result: Somewhat positive if benefits remain intact—but fragile.

👪Middle Class ($50K–$150K)

- Tax Cuts: Savings of $250 to $1,700/year.

- New Deductions: Especially valuable in retirement-heavy regions like Sarasota, where the new $6,000 senior deduction can help fixed-income retirees.

- Child Credit: Increased to $2,500 through 2028.

- Net Result: Generally positive. Many Floridians in this bracket benefit.

💼Upper-Middle Class ($150K–$500K)

- Expanded SALT Deduction: Raised to $40,000—a major perk in wealthier counties like Palm Beach and Collier, though Florida lacks a state income tax.

- Pass-Through Income Benefits: Business owners, especially in real estate and consulting, get enhanced deductions.

- Net Result: Clearly positive. High deduction caps favor this group.

💰High-Income Households ($500K+)

- Estate Tax Breaks: Florida families with large estates now benefit from a $15 million exemption—ideal for protecting real estate and investment portfolios.

- High-Dollar Savings: Households in this bracket save an average of $30,000+ annually.

- Net Result: Major winners—especially in areas like Naples, Windermere, and Coral Gables.

“High-income Floridians with generational wealth and business interests stand to gain the most from this law.”

— ChatGPT, referencing JCT and tax foundation analysis

📉 Florida Medicaid and SNAP Impact

- Florida Medicaid Enrollment: Over 5.2 million people are enrolled, including children, seniors, and disabled adults.

- SNAP Participation: Nearly 3 million Floridians rely on food assistance.

- New Requirements: The bill introduces work reporting rules, co-pays, and state cost-sharing, which will be felt quickly in rural and underserved counties.

“Florida could see tens of thousands lose health or food benefits unless the state adapts quickly to federal changes.”

— ChatGPT, interpreting Medicaid policy impacts

🗳️ Could This Affect Florida Elections?

Yes—especially in swing regions:

- Low-income and retiree-heavy areas (like Pasco, Polk, and Pinellas) could swing based on benefit cuts.

- High-income districts (like parts of Miami-Dade or coastal Sarasota) may favor the tax benefits.

- Awareness is still low, but rising—polls show that when voters learn the details, disapproval grows.

🧠 Bottom Line for Florida

The One Big Beautiful Bill provides tax relief for many Floridians—but it also threatens access to critical services for the state’s most vulnerable. As a state with no income tax, Florida doesn’t benefit as much from SALT changes, but retirees, business owners, and high earners do very well under the bill.

According to ChatGPT, which reviewed both the text of the bill and nonpartisan analysis, the effects in Florida are starkly unequal:

- High earners win big.

- Middle class see modest gains.

- Low-income Floridians face tough losses in healthcare and nutrition support.

📚 Sources

- Congressional Budget Office

- Joint Committee on Taxation

- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration

- Florida Department of Children and Families

- Washington Post

- AP News

- One Big Beautiful Bill – Full Text

⚖️ Wondering how the new tax law impacts your estate or benefits in Florida?

Let us help. Contact Bart Scovill, PLC at Scovills.com or call 941-365-2253 to schedule a personalized consultation. https://scovills.com/?p=2433

Myth: My Spouse Will Get Everything Automatically

Check out our latest video from the Estate Planning Myths & Mistakes series. https://youtu.be/NWl03zp4slE?si=cuafXhYSDSEHf9tZ