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Valuable Planning for Snowbirds: Tips, Traps and Tactics for Advisors with Clients in Florida


Product Code - TMW91
Speaker(s): Alan S. Gassman and Christopher J. Denicolo, Gassman Law Associates, P.A.; and Gary Teblum, Trenam Kemker Scharf Barkin Frye O’Neill and Mullis, P.A.
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Most advisors with Florida clients are unaware of the myriad of unique rules and planning considerations that affect Florida estate, tax and business planning. It is therefore vitally important for advisors to be aware of pertinent tricks and traps for the unwary. Unlike some other states, Florida’s laws regarding limited liability companies, powers of attorney, taxation, homestead, creditor exemptions, trusts and estates, and documentary stamp taxes are not simply versions of a Uniform Act, and have been crafted by the Florida legislature to apply to various specific issues in an often counterintuitive manner.

Bloomberg BNA authors Alan S. Gassman and Christopher J. Denicolo have completed a 200 plus page easy to read outline with forms on major Florida law considerations, and will present this outline and powerpoint slides to share techniques and opportunities, new practical ideas, and very useful client explanation charts, sample clauses, and checklists. Our speakers will also provide an update on the current status of Florida’s changing order protection for limited partnerships and LLCs.

In 90 minutes, Gassman and Denicolo will cover:

  • Business and tax law anomalies and planning opportunities.
  • Creditor protection considerations, and Florida’s statutory creditor exemptions.
  • Unique aspects of the Florida Trust and Probate Codes.
  • Florida medical practice rules and regulations.
  • Documentary stamp taxes, sales taxes, rent taxes, property taxes and how to avoid them.
  • Traps and tricks associated with Florida’s Homestead law, and Elective Share.
  • The new Florida Power of Attorney Act.

Educational Objectives

  • Become conversant with the primary rules, opportunities and limitations with respect to Florida creditor exemptions.
  • Discuss various key considerations with respect to the design and implementation of estate plans and Trusts in Florida.
  • Understand the scope and application of Florida’s tax system and primary tax avoidance techniques and issues.
  • Review unique aspects of Florida law, including its new Power of Attorney Act, Homestead laws, and medical practice rules and regulations.

Who Should Attend:

  • Estate Planning Advisors in Florida (law firms & accounting firms)
  • Estate Planning Advisors outside of Florida (law firms & accounting firms)

Prerequisite: None
Level: Introductory
Delivery method: Group Internet Live
Recommended CPE credit: 1.5 credits 

Alan S. Gassman and Christopher J. Denicolo, Gassman Law Associates, P.A.; and Gary Teblum, Trenam Kemker Scharf Barkin Frye O’Neill and Mullis, P.A.

Alan S. Gassman, J.D., LL.M. practices law in Clearwater, Florida. Each year he publishes numerous articles in publications such as BNA Tax & Accounting, Estate Planning, Trusts and Estates, The Journal of Asset Protection, and Steve Leimberg’s Asset Protection Planning Newsletters. Mr. Gassman is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a member of the Executive Council of the Tax Section of the Florida Bar, and has been quoted on many occasions in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Medical Economics, Modern Healthcare, and Florida Trend magazine. He is an author, along Kenneth Crotty and Christopher Denicolo, of the BNA Tax & Accounting book Estate Tax Planning in 2011 and 2012. He is the senior partner at Gassman Law Associates, P.A. in Clearwater, Florida, which he founded in 1987.

Christopher J. Denicolo, J.D., LL.M. is a partner at the Clearwater, Florida law firm of Gassman Law Associates, P.A., where he practices in the areas of estate tax and trust planning, taxation, physician representation, and corporate and business law. He is the author of several noted articles in The Florida Bar Journal, BNA Tax & Accounting, Estate Planning Magazine and Leimberg Information Services, Inc. He, Alan Gassman and Kenneth Crotty are the co-authors of the BNA book Estate Tax Planning in 2011 & 2012. 

Gary I. Teblum, J.D., is a shareholder at the firm Trenam Kemker Scharf Barkin Frye O’Neill and Mullis, P.A. He has been with the Trenam Kemker firm since 1979 and became a shareholder in 1984. He is the co-leader of the firm's Business Transactions Practice Group, which handles all types of business transactions including entity selection, formation and operations, mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financing, executive compensation, ERISA and employee benefits, and business and individual tax planning and tax controversies. His work covers most of these types of transactions as well as most types of business contracts, and includes advising both publicly held and privately held companies with regard to corporate, partnership and limited liability company law, securities laws, and other various business laws impacting the operations of the client's respective businesses. Mr. Teblum has been active in the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar, including most recently serving as one of the core members of the drafting committee for the newly passed Florida Revised Limited Liability Company Act that is awaiting approval by the Governor. He holds a law degree from the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Delaware.