When people find out that I practice estate planning, I inevitably hear the all too familiar question: do you think I need a will?
Unless I already know the answers to the following questions, I respond by asking: have you finished college/started your career, and/or do you have children?
If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then not only do you probably need a will, I often recommend other estate planning documents as well.
Estate planning isn't only for the wealthy. It can benefit anyone in Florida and can give you peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be carried out long after you are gone. Without a Florida estate plan, your assets will head to probate and the Florida courts will make the ultimate determination of who gets your estate or care of your children.
For these reasons, it is important to consider discussing your estate with an experienced and skilled Florida estate planning attorney. Your attorney will be able to help answer your questions and review all your options with you. If you have any additional questions or would like to set up an appointment to establish your estate plan, please contact a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer at the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA today.
Why Do I Need a Will in Florida?
People often say, “I don't have a lot of assets, why do I need a will?” You may not have a lot of assets right now, but you may come into assets in the near future. Maybe you win the lottery next week, or you inherit a lot of money from a relative. You do not necessarily need to know what assets you have or will acquire. An experienced Florida estate planning attorney will be able to craft your will in a general way so that it can accommodate any additional assets you may acquire. If you have kids, your will can dictate who will be their guardians, care for them, and manage their inheritance until they reach adulthood. You can even take a further step and set up a trust for your children within the will to make sure that they are taken care of.
For those with many assets, particularly multiple real estate properties, revocable/irrevocable trusts may sometimes be a great option to avoid probate and certain tax implications. If you have out of state property, a durable power of attorney may not be a bad idea. A power of attorney can cover many assets and legal rights, such as real estate, stocks/bonds, government benefits, business entities/companies/corporations, personal property, investments, contracts, insurance, retirement funds, trusts, lawsuits/litigation, and taxes. Going back to my initial example, a power of attorney would allow your attorney-in-fact to represent you in selling or buying property out of state without you having to be there. A durable power of attorney would allow that power of attorney to still apply even if you are incapacitated.
Advanced Healthcare Directives in Florida
Something I recommend to most people is an advanced healthcare directive. These often consist of a healthcare surrogate designation and a living will. Similar to a power of attorney, a healthcare surrogate designation allows the person you choose as your surrogate to make informed healthcare decisions for you if you are incapacitated due to disease, illness, or accident/injury. Many people associate living wills with a “do not resuscitate order” (DNR). A living will gives you the opportunity to dictate what happens to you in case you succumb to a terminal disease or a mortal injury. It could also save your family from having to make incredibly difficult decisions during a very emotional time. I like to reference the Terry Schaivo case to highlight what can happen when people do not have living wills prepared.
An Estate Planning Attorney can Help
A carefully crafted estate plan prepared by an experienced attorney can save you and your family huge heartache and headaches during some of the most emotional and difficult situations that they may ever have to deal with. It can also allow you to manage your present and future assets in the way that works best for you and your family. If you have any additional questions or would like to set up an appointment to establish your estate plan, please contact the Law Office of Gian-Franco Melendez, LLC at 813-841-6553 or [email protected]. If you would like to learn more, check out podcast below.