FAQ's

Estate planning is for everyone! Single people, married couples, heterosexual couples, and same sex couples or couples who live together and are not legally married all need estate planning. The law offers married couples minimal protection, yet true death or illness planning needs to be done. The laws in Florida do not protect the rights of living together couples; although, you may be living with your significant other for years, sharing a home and expenses, you will not be protected unless you properly plan with an attorney. Whether you are in need of a new will or trust, or making an out-of-state will or trust compliant with Florida Statutes, I will strive to provide you with the best possible legal advice. Probate court can be avoided with a good estate plan.

• Do you have an old will or outdated trust or estate plan?
• Did you move here from another state or country and have your will or estate plan done there?
• Who will care for your children if you are not able?
• Who will run your business?
• Who will make health care decisions for you if you cannot?
• Who will watch over your investments? How are they titled?
• How much do you want your loved ones to spend?

A will serves as a map for the court to follow. A will tells the court who you want to administer your estate and what you want them to do. With a will your assets still must go through the probate proceedings.

A trust is completely different, more protective, and private. A trust creates a legal entity that holds your assets, and if done properly, can avoid probate court involvement. The trust takes control over assets you select either before or after you die, and distributes them according to your instructions. There are several different types of trusts useful for different situations.

Probate is the court supervised process of collecting and transferring assets from a decedent’s personal name and distributing those assets to family members or loved ones. When an individual passes away and they own property in their name alone, probate is usually required.

Fee arrangements may include flat rates for specific transactions, hourly rates, or some combination of both. Our goal is to provide a fair, easily understandable fee which is satisfactory to everyone involved.