Rignanese & Associates Law

Rignanese & Associates Law Practicing Law Locally, Thinking Globally Since 1991: We help people save time, trouble and money on

06/28/2022

Our Business Strategy Services:

Transactions Including Purchase and Sale, Buy-Sell Agreements, Contract Negotiations, Establishing and Operating Profit, Non-Profit, and Charitable Corporations and LLCs, Corporate Liquidations, Reorganizations, and Mergers.

06/28/2022

Our Real Estate Services:

Contracts, Deed Preparation, Title Insurance, Leases, Real Estate Loans and Closings for Residential, Commercial, and Agricultural Property in Florida.

06/28/2022

Our Estate Planning Services:

Probate, Wills, Revocable Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, Charitable Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Medical Directives, Health Care Surrogates, Estate Planning for Travel, Handling the Estate and Initial Trust Administration at the Time of Death.

06/28/2022

Attorney Rignanese's Background:

With nothing but Five Star Reviews on Google and Avvo Lawyer Service, Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese, or “Lady Lawyer” as she is often called, has the expertise, education, and dedication you need. She has been serving clients with professionalism since 1991.
From the principal office in Winter Haven, via online meetings or in-person meetings in Lake Wales or Tampa, Ms. Rignanese and the firm's entire team of “Legal Eagles,” is focused on finding the right solution for your legal matter. She wants you to save time, trouble, and money in the legal areas of Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Travel Law, Probate, Real Estate, Corporate and Business Law.

Ms. Rignanese is a proven leader and active with prestigious organizations. She is active in civic and charitable groups. She is a member of the Winter Haven and Lake Wales Chambers of Commerce, and serves on multiple boards including Kiwanis, Meals on Wheels, and Executive Women.

Her educational background included studies in three countries: the US, England, and Italy. But her degrees are firmly grounded in Florida with a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Business Administration and Juris Doctor of Law from the University of Florida.

She is a published author on estate planning topics, powers of attorney, trusts, and international travel.
She has a radio presence since 2000, and hosts a legal advice show via blog talk radio called "LADY LAWYER LIVE." It is a live, call-in show.

She is an accomplished public speaker, who has lectured on five of the world's seven continents, to audiences as large as 900 people. She is an authorized speaker for the Florida Bar Association, three Speakers Bureaus, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruise Lines. She has more than 80 unique speeches. When the Florida Bar's membership numbered over 80,000 lawyers, Ms. Rignanese was selected as the third lawyer ever recognized as the "Speaker of the Month."

Our business and individual clients are assured of working directly with Ms. Rignanese from the initial consultation through the resolution of the legal matter. We emphasize a professional and personal approach to keeping clients satisfied.

We Are Glad To Meet You!
11/09/2020

We Are Glad To Meet You!

11/04/2020

The Difference between Trusts and Wills

Many Florida residents have likely considered estate planning but may be confused as to the specific components involved in an estate plan. They may have a vague idea of what a will is, but they may not know its specific purpose or how it is supposed to be laid out. Oftentimes, when someone is taught how exactly an estate plan works and what purposes the various components serve, they come to realize the importance of estate planning and are less intimidated by the process.
Two important options used in customizing an estate plan are wills and trusts. Basically, a trust can be used in addition to or as a replacement for a will. Trusts handle the distribution of a person's property, such as cash, investments, real estate and the like, by transferring its benefits and responsibilities to the individuals of a person's choice. By creating a living trust, a person usually will need to re-title assets so that they are owned by the trust, since the person is, effectively, transferring his or her property now as opposed to at the time of his or her death.
A will, on the other hand, simply makes known how a person wants his or her estate to distribute properties following death. The actual transfer of the property does not take place until after the person dies, and the transfer process is guided by state law and overseen to some degree by a court.
The distinctions between a will and a trust are sometimes subtle. While trusts may on the surface appear to have more advantages, they are also more expensive and complex. In the end, there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
By fully engaging in the estate planning process, Florida residents can come to a clearer understanding of these distinctions and decide on a course of action that is best suited for their estate planning goals. An experienced Florida estate planning attorney can be helpful in this respect.
Established in 1991, Rignanese & Associates is available to work with clients on their legal needs. Let us help you save time, trouble and money.
Rignanese & Associates is available to work with clients on their unique situation. Please reach out to us at our new headquarters at 141 5th Street NW, Suite 300, Winter Haven, Florida 33881 at 863.294.1114.

11/02/2020

How is a Trust Established?

Florida residents often make it a point to set various goals they would like to achieve. In achieving these goals, certain steps must be taken along the way, and things often must be done right during these steps.
The process of estate planning certainly follows this mold. Individuals may have broad goals they would like to achieve through their estate plan. The challenge is in getting the details right so these goals can be put into effect.

In the case of real estate, it is important that the deed reflects the trust's ownership over the property. There may also be considerations involving other title issues, existing mortgages or other restrictions to take into account.ter the trust.

One key step is to properly fund the trust, which requires placing some assets into the trust to give it effect. These assets could be bank accounts, real estate, investments or other assets. Regardless of the type of asset, however, it must be formally transferred to the trust or they may be subject to probate.
For instance, a stock certificate might make some reference to the trust or the trustee. The person might also choose to name the trust as a beneficiary of a life insurance or other policy.

In the case of real estate, it is important that the deed reflect the trust's ownership over the property. There may also be considerations involving other title issues, existing mortgages or other restrictions to take into account.
What's more, it might not be wise to transfer certain kinds of assets into a trust. Accordingly, the properly preserve assets and accomplish one's goals, the facts and circumstances of each person's estate should be taken into consideration.
Established in 1991, Rignanese & Associates is available to work with clients on their legal needs. Let us help you save time, trouble and money.
Rignanese & Associates is available to work with clients on their unique situation. Please reach out to us at our new headquarters at 141 5th Street NW, Suite 300, Winter Haven, Florida 33881 at 863.294.1114.

10/30/2020

An Unplanned Estate May Mean a Long, Frustrating Probate

You may have been debating with yourself for some time now about whether you need to create an estate plan. Maybe you have already told your children, grandchildren and others what you would like them to do with your Florida home, checking account and personal belongings. If you don't have many assets, you may feel this is good enough.
However, without a will or other plan, you are leaving your heirs with the long and complicated process of probating your estate. During this legal process, a judge oversees the validation of your heirs and approves the distribution of your assets. There may be many factors that can drag out this process, leaving your heirs frustrated and disappointed.
Tax issues
One of the most important questions that arises concerning estate planning deals with taxes. If your estate is not exempt from federal estate taxes, your heirs may have a complicated task and a substantial wait for their inheritance. Your personal representative will be required to file a Form 706 tax return after your death.
While this may seem simple enough, the IRS typically does not get around to processing such returns until four months or longer after they receive them. It may be an additional four months before an IRS agent reviews the return. If the IRS decides it needs more documentation, the delay will be even longer. Proper estate planning with an attorney who has experience in tax issues may be able to prevent such delays.
More is not always merrier
Another factor that may delay probate is having many people vying for your assets. Without a will or trust designating heirs, your estate may end up in the middle of bitter legal disputes if potential beneficiaries fight over what they believe is rightfully theirs. Also, having heirs scattered far and wide may create delays simply because of the logistics of locating them and gathering signatures on vital documents.
If you own unusual assets, probate may take longer because of the importance of obtaining accurate valuation of your property. For example, race horses, rare art, patents or oil rights are challenging assets to probate. The valuation of this property will also certainly affect the progress of your federal estate taxes if the IRS disputes the worth of certain assets.
While some delays in probate may be unavoidable, the best way to minimize these disruptions is to plan carefully. Having a thorough inventory of your estate, a chosen executor and a well-drafted estate plan can make all the difference to your heirs.
Established in 1991, Rignanese & Associates is available to work with clients on their legal needs. Let us help you save time, trouble and money.
Rignanese & Associates is available to work with clients on their unique situation. Please reach out to us at our new headquarters at 141 5th Street NW, Suite 300, Winter Haven, Florida 33881 at 863.294.1114.

10/29/2020

Testimonials

“Attorney Rignanese runs a stellar law practice. She is superbly intellectual and possesses a rare blend of excellent skill and knowledge with a laudably congenial direct demeanor that is very uplifting. Her team of ‘Legal Eagles’ exhibit the same traits and are always personable and of high integrity, with a keen sense for completing tasks within deadlines. Our family has used Attorney Rignanese’s firm for over twelve years for real estate matters and estate planning and over this period we have found her to be, trustworthy, dependable and very professional. Her extensive travels and positive outlook about life adds to her the ability to be very compassionate towards her clients.”
— Dr. Leonard Teye-Botchway
“BIG THANK YOU! We have been messing with a probate issue for four months. With no help from the attorney that got our retainer fee. One brief phone call with you and we are picking up a check 48 hours later. This was Dad’s attorney and the one that wrote the wills and the trust, so we made the assumption he would be the best choice to handle it all. NO, the best choice would have been to call my friend Cynthia from the very begining! thank you so much. Amazing what a 10-minute phone call can do when you’re talking to the right person! Thanks again.”
— Ms. Deedrick
“I just want to give a big sky-writing “thank you all” for seeing me through this difficult time. You were very kind, professional and met all my expectations.
When my husband died, I was lost, unfocused, unable to think clearly and no business experience. I prayed God would lead me to the right people to walk me through it. He sent me the “best!” Thank you all so much!”
— Mrs. Geline P., Client, Winter Haven, Florida
“As Chair of the first FAB WOMAN OF THE YEAR committee, our goal was to honor an active professional woman who is a recognized leader in her industry. She must also be actively involved in making a differnece in the community. Nominations were accepted and Ms. Rignanese was voted on unanimously by the FAB (Females Advancing Business) Board of Directors.”
— Dora K. Lovell, FAB Woman-Of-The-Year Chair/FAB Past President
“Ms. Rignanese worked her magic enabling an out of State seller to complete a probate estate and close the sale of a Polk County home for the heirs in record time, just weeks. Her Florida probate knowledge, court experience and just plain get it done now nature is invaluable. I will continue to recommend her law practice at every opportunity. Not only a pleasure to work with, a legal expert you can trust.”
— Don Cleveland, Realtor
“Ms. Rignanese is widely recognized for her expertise in estate planning, tax, and business law. She provides excellent client service. Her dedication to her profession and passionate support of her community make her an excellent resource for your legal needs.”
— Kathy Hodges, South Carolina Attorney
“She will go above and beyond for her clients. She holds a vast amount of expertise with regard to her specialties of law. I would highly recommend her to handle any estate planning, probate, real estate or business formation concerns, with utmost confidence.”
— Kathy Macchione Leggett, M.A.
“Thank you for your expert advice. I will sleep better knowing my girls and Noah will be okay when I’m not here to help and guide them.”
— Ms. Lois S., Client, Winter Haven, Florida
“She is well known as one of the premier estate planning and corporate attorneys in the Polk County area - if not the State of Florida. Ms. Rignanese is dedicated to client service and her business philosophy ensures that clients will receive the best advice and representation possible.”
— A. Renee Pobjecky, Attorney, Partner at Pobjecky & Pobjecky, LLP

10/29/2020

Our Elder Law Services:

Last Wishes, Long-Term Care and Medicaid Planning.

Address

141 5th Street NW, Suite 300
Winter Haven, FL
33881

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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Practicing Law Locally, Thinking Globally Since 1991

Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese, Esquire has been practicing law locally in Central Florida for over 25 years. She is a world traveler, prolific speaker, published author, and passionate attorney. Contact us today to learn about Estate Planning, Corporations, and Real Property services.