This role only comes into play after someone passes. This person is the one you’ve chosen to dispose of your estate – whatever you own when you pass that hasn’t been legally designated to go to someone specific. A good plan covers tangible personal property from vehicles to knickknacks. Sadly, probate is the result if anything hasn’t been beneficiary designated.
The first is a Last Will and Testament, which describes how an individual wants their property (the legal term is “bounty”) distributed after passing.
The other three are essential while an individual is living.
If you love your family, you plan. When you pass, your loved ones are best served if you give them a plan. Then the only thing for them to do is grieve. You plan to provide that luxury.
Part of my commitment is to minimize and mitigate indecisiveness in the estate planning process and to minimize suffering of all parties involved in a probate situation.
This, like other pieces of planning, can be hard. Florida allows pet trusts where money can be set aside for the specific purpose.
Many times people, as they age, decide there will be no more pets because they’re not going to run the risk of dying and not know where their animal will go.
This can be tough – people feel obligated to name spouses, to name children, to name family.
Trust is the key. The people named have to be willing to honor your wishes – not there own – whether as a power of attorney, a healthcare surrogate, or a personal representative after you pass.
These can be VERY hard choices.
Horrible situations are those that could be avoided with a competent counsel.
An estate plan is where you’ve pulled together, in one place, all your “bounty” – physical and intangible – naming individuals to take care of you now if needed and to distribute the “bounty” after you’re no longer here
Anyone who is 18 needs a plan – tough things happen, and help is needed. Young people die, and without a plan, things are even more painful and heartbreaking. Without designating people, no one can help.
I do Estate Planning – Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Surrogates.
I do special needs trusts when it’s judicious to do – already existing situation where it will be needed or potentially they’ll be a situation where it’s needed
And, I’ve learned the value of Elder Law – to protect assets of people who’ve worked hard, saved, and have assets, and they think they have to lose everything to apply for government help.
Why do people avoid thinking about the mess they might leave when they die.
People think they have it done when they don’t. For example, people have Wills that leave a home to their children and think that’s all they need; sadly, without some legal counsel. However, the children will need to probate the Will in order to own the home when they could have owed it outright with a little planning.
We have a unique perspective on estate planning that serves our clients well. We thoroughly review not just your assets and your wishes but your legacy. We ask the questions “What’s in the best interest of this family, how do we achieve those goals and what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?” After answering these key questions, we help you determine the best course of action for your family going forward.
