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NEW PELICAN

 • July 8, 2021

NewPelican.com

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NEW PELICAN

 • July 8, 2021

NewPelican.com

New Pelican Advertiser

Spotlight on Small Business

Attorney Tara S. David helps her clients live their best lives through the law

By Tim Wassberg New Pelican Writer

Helping people live their best lives through the law is the aim of attorney Tara S. David, Esq. [of the Law Offices Of Tara David, P.A.] In 2021, she was named to the Super Lawyers Florida Rising Stars list for those under 40 who exhibit excellence in practice. She specializes in handling the intricacies of these specific issues using her knowledge of the local area as well as the application of how the system works [both with in-state and out-of-state precedents] with a signature personal touch. David explains that one of the aspects in doing estate planning is that many people now have a diverse variety of holdings. She says it is definitely getting more complicated which is where proper organization comes in. “So older people mostly have maybe a property, a 401k, or something simple. They don’t like debt. No credit cards, things like that. [But this] current generation, when people pass away, is a lot different because we have 10 different credit cards, 10 different accounts, 2 IRAs, and properties.” Different people require different interactions. Sometimes the older generation is not as tech savvy so at that point David will do more in-person meetings as needed, and mailings instead of emailing. During the main lockdown times of Covid, certain practices did evolve. “So pretty

Tara S. David, Esq.
Law Offices of Tara David, P.A
2401 E. Atlantic Blvd.
Suite 200
Pompano Beach
954-951-7274
taradavidlaw.com

much anything now can be done virtual.” David always tells her clients [especially many who are from out of state] that most aspects can be done remotely. The only time they would need to be present in estate planning is the actual signing, because there needs to be two witnesses and a notary. “A lot of people [also] call me when they move here from another state since we do have a lot of transplants, buying beach condos and things like that. They usually want to update their estate documents and want to know if it’s valid here in Florida. And sometimes it is, but most of the time they’re outdated. So we need to update them.” One case she worked on involved a person who had five checking accounts, four savings accounts, five CDs with five different people on them, and vacant land the client didn’t even need anymore. David was able to help him consolidate everything together. “Another big problem he had [that he didn’t know] was that he had different beneficiaries on things, and then he had an old will.” The will had said everything went to his daughter so the

Estate Law Florida P.A.- Tara David
Tara S. David, Esq. at her office in Pompano Beach. [Tim Wassberg]

client thought that the will would govern the process, but it didn’t. “In fact, the beneficiaries on all the accounts would supersede the will.” It is these small details that are integral to David’s process. The texture of power of attorney is also an important point in estate planning as well as in guardianships as recent developments in the news have addressed. “So people sign a power of attorney, and they have the misconception that it is valid only upon their incapacitation, which is not correct.” The reality, David says, is that as soon as someone signs over power of

attorney, it is actually valid upon the signing. “So if you provide it to that agent, the person you name, they can potentially go to the bank and clean you out or sell your property because you gave them that authority.” She says she always tells her clients to seriously think about who they’re naming. “Don’t name someone you don’t know very well, or even someone that you’re questioning anything about.” She cites a case where a man living in an assisted living center called her. “He was in a nursing home in the area, put there

 

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 • July 8, 2021

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involuntarily, by his niece.” She had had power of attorney, and with that, she actually got rid of all of his property, sold his house, cleaned out his bank account, and took everything he owned. “And the nursing home said he could not leave, which was incorrect. So I helped him get out of that situation, revoked the power of attorney and he was able to get out of the assisted living center.” The key is understanding the details of each situation since everyone is different. “I just try to connect with my clients. I’m very approachable. We discuss personal life and family life as well as the legal part. I try to make people at ease. The biggest [aspect], I guess I would stress is comfort for the client,” she said. “I want them to feel comfortable and welcome.”

Mobile public art piece unveiled at city’s initial Juneteenth event

By Judy Wilson Associate Editor

Deerfield Beach – South Florida graffiti artist Marcos Conde created a mural for the city’s inaugural Juneteenth celebration. His canvas is an 8’ by 20’ shipping container prominently placed at the Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex where the event took place. His talents earned him a $1,000 award from the city. Conde and three other entrants in the “contest” painted their approved designs Juneteenth on a side

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Estate Law Florida P.A.- Tara David
Marcos Conde and his winning design at the Juneteenth celebration. [Courtesy]
Estate Law Florida P.A.- Tara David Business