We can help! An estate plan is critical for any parent with a minor child to ensure that the child is protected and provided for even if the unexpected happens. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our estate planning attorneys to talk about the documents we can provide to help you protect your minor child.

We can help! Sometimes a guardianship  (or guardian advocacy) is needed to obtain the legal authority to make financial and medical decisions for your disabled loved one. Sometimes we can use less restrictive means such as Power of Attorney documents. Even your estate plan is critical as you may need to use a Special Needs trust to protect your loved one’s disability or other gov’t benefits. Contact us today to speak with an attorney about how to protect your disabled loved one!

We can help! Estate planning is very important for blended families. Florida law regarding the division of assets without a written plan often ends with poor and undesirable results for individuals with blended families or in second/third/etc. marriages. Fortunately, a little bit of planning will go a long way to ensuring that your assets transfer to and are protected for the heirs you choose. Contact us today to speak with an attorney about how to ensure your goals and desires are met when the time comes to divide your assets.

We can help! Fortunately, people today are living much longer than we have in the past. However, this lengthened lifespan means that, at the age of 65, American are more than 50% likely to need some type of assistance as they age (see Long-Term Services and Supports). While this support is not cheap, the costs can be defrayed or avoided with proper planning. If you qualify, LTC Insurance can be very helpful and fiscally responsible; however, it can be very difficult or impossible to qualify. Many people will be reliant on gov’t assistance via Medicaid to pay for these extraordinary expenses. Contact us today to speak with an attorney about protecting assets while qualifying for the Medicaid benefits that you spent your life funding with your paychecks.

We can help! Upon death, assets transfer to beneficiaries through one of three methods: (1) beneficiary designations filed with the holder of the asset by the decedent before death (e.g. TOD designations of bank accounts or beneficiary designations submitted on the proper forms with investment brokerages), (2) trust administration of any asset which was transferred to the trust while the decedent was still alive, or (3) probate for all other assets.

For any asset that has a beneficiary designated as referenced in method 1, you do NOT need an attorney. The designated beneficiaries should simply contact the asset holder (bank, brokerage, etc.), provide a copy of the death certificate, and fill out the claim form that the asset holder provided to them.

For any assets held in trust as referenced in method 2, you MAY choose to hire an attorney. While it is not legally required, an attorney can be very beneficial in assisting you through the administration and distribution processes so that costly mistakes are not made.

For any asset requiring probate as referenced in method 3, you WILL likely need the services of an attorney. Probate is a legal process that requires the initiation of a court case and judicial oversite.

Contact us today to speak with an attorney about distribution methods 2 & 3 (trust administration & probate).