I am the middle son, Gary, my family name. My given name is Gerard. Throughout my life I have worn many hats, including that of financial analyst, corporate controller, citrus grove owner and business partner. I have been a partner in family business with my brothers from 1969 to 1996. Additionally, for the past twenty-eight years, I have been a practicing public accountant in a rural North Florida community.
My background has created some of the reasons for developing this web site. As a professional accountant, confidentially of client information is foremost criteria in my office practice. A sign posted in our office conveys the message of most practicing professionals. "What you do here, see here, say here, and hear here, stays here when you leave here."
Over the years I have witnessed numerous mistakes in the realm of estate planning and probate administration. I have often wanted to relate these observations to help other families these mistakes of mismanagement and the torment caused by there occurrences. Respecting the confidentially of my clients, I could not impart my knowledge to others.
Today, my own family is experiencing many of the injustices and misfortune created by improper estate planning. These include improper will documents, failure to create a trust, failure to preserve assets, improper professional advice, failure to plan for transition, failure to have a living will and secrecy of testamentary plans. Combine this with the anger and greed of my brother Russell and we have a case study for the necessity of proper estate planning.
I hope I may help other families by documenting what has occurred in our own family.
Let the journey begin.
|
