Category Archives: Estate Planning

Creating a sound estate plan provides not just security for your family and loved ones after you die, but peace of mind for you while you are alive.

If you are single or in an unmarried relationship and do not have children, there is still plenty you can and should do to ensure your property and assets are handled according to your wishes after you die.

A person or entity granted administrative control of a trust is called a trustee. If you have been appointed as a trustee in the Sunshine State of Florida, you have obligations under the law regarding administration of the trust.

Many people retire to Florida because it has the reputation of being a tax friendly state. For example, there are no state income taxes in Florida, which means pensions and retirement plans are free from taxes.

A living will is a written directive that allows you to state your wishes regarding what sort of end-of-life care you want to receive. Florida law recognizes the right of any capable adult to create a living will, which can then be used if that person becomes incapacitated and unable to communicate their wishes to their doctor and loved ones.

The state of Florida recognizes the right of any capable adult to create an advance directive known as a health care surrogate designation. This designation is typically used to allow your named surrogate (and their successors) to make every day medical care decisions like consent to surgery, consent to treatment, admission to a health care facility and the hiring and firing of doctors, nurses and therapists.

A durable financial power of attorney in Florida is a simple and reliable way to arrange for someone to manage your finances if you become incapacitated and are no longer able to make your own financial and legal decisions.

Nobody wants to imagine that one day they might not able to take care of themselves. However, you can never be certain about your future, which is why it’s important to plan ahead.

Florida is one of the states that permit you to add a personal property memorandum to your estate plan. This is a supplemental document that must be referenced in your will or living trust and allows you to specify the items of personal property you wish to leave to your loved ones.