ESTATE PLANNING PROTECTS OUR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS AND THOSE WE LOVE

ESTATE PLANNING PROTECTS OUR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS AND THOSE WE LOVE

I have been getting many calls lately from people close to a person who died, but not related by blood or marriage. They call asking me to begin a probate for them and I have to explain that even if they lived together for 35 years, they are not protected and will inherit nothing without a will or trust specifying these wishes.

HOW CAN I MAKE SURE MY LOVED ONES ARE PROTECTED?

Wills and trust can protect your loved ones. For example, the woman who lived with her boyfriend for 35 years before he died, shared a home and a life, yet everything was in his name alone. Thus, the house and bank accounts would require probate court involvement because there was no trust nor any paid on death designations. In this case, the intestacy statute will prevail and his mother would get his assets instead of his life partner. Do you think this is what he would have wanted?

By creating a will that simply states your wishes, you can prevent this situation and make sure your loved ones are protected. If your loved ones are minors or if you have real estate and investments, a trust is a better option. A trust is private and more protective and avoids probate court involvement, if funded properly.

WHY DO I WANT TO AVOID PROBATE?

Probate in Miami-Dade County is a public process which takes time and does not always protect the real loved ones of the decedent. For example, in our previously discussed case, the decedent’s mother did not want the assets and believed her son would have given them to his life partner. This can be done with wills and trusts. When there is a will, probate court involvement is still required and a probate attorney must be hired. With a trust, trust administration is easier and less expensive and does not require probate court involvement.

HOW CAN I CREATE A TRUST?

The first step to creating a trust is to hire an estate planning attorney. A good estate planning attorney can bring out the clients wishes and create documents that match those wishes. At Ally Glaser, PA, I not only create legal documents, but I also encourage the clients to write letters to their loved ones and create the way they want to be remembered. This is important and gives a personal touch to the estate plan. During this process, financial and health care decisions can be discussed and handled with care, giving the client peace of mind.

WHY SHOULD YOU USE ALLY GLASER, PA TO HANDLE YOUR WILLS, TRUST, ESTATE PLANNING AND MIAMI PROBATE MATTERS?

As a Miami Beach, Florida, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, and Probate Attorney, I have over twenty years of experience and handle these matters with care. I am familiar and comfortable with the Miami-Dade County probate court system and know how to get things done. Call or email me today to discuss your Estate Planning, Wills, Trust, or Miami-Dade County probate matter.