ESTATE PLANNING
The prospect of putting together an estate plan can be overwhelming. We work with you to simplify the complex process of planning your estate, whether it be a will or trust agreement or emergency asset protection. A well prepared estate plan can save your family the frustration of drawn out probate expenses, minimize their tax and creditor exposure, and ease the process of moving on.
WILLS
The “Last Will and Testament” is an old and honored instrument used to name a Personal Representative (Executor) to administer your Estate’s Assets and see to the distribution of those Assets to your Beneficiaries. It will also provide the Probate Court with instructions on who should receive Title to the assets in your Estate. This process will help minimize conflict amongst your loved ones and provide peace of mind in knowing that your final wishes have properly executed.
Will Package:
• Last Will and Testament
• Living Will
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Healthcare Surrogate
• Pre-Needs Guardian
• HIPAA Release
TRUSTS
Proper planning can save you thousands – even hundreds of thousands—of dollars and years of heartache down the road. A Trust Agreement gives clear direction to the trustee and successor trustee on how to distribute and handle your finances. When utilized properly, a trust will ensure that your loved ones can avoid the drawn out and expensive probate process. There are also various trust options available to safeguard your assets to ensure they are available to assist with the long term needs of yourself and your loved ones.
Trust Package:
• Trust Agreement
• Pour-Over Will
• Living Will
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Healthcare Surrogate
• Pre-Needs Guardian
• HIPAA Release
ASSET PROTECTION
An unexpected illness can be devastating, both physically and financially. Nursing homes cost roughly $10,000 a month and can delete your life savings in a matter of months. You can take comfort in knowing that there are many ways to protect your assets from such costs and ensure that your family continues to be taken care of.
Asset Protection
• Medicaid
• Qualified Trust
• Special Needs Trust
• Income Trust
PROBATE
Probate is a court-supervised process where the last will and testament of a someone who has passed away is proved to be valid. The terms of the will are given effect, a Personal Representative is appointed by the Court and the decedent’s estate is distributed to the named beneficiaries. If someone dies intestate, without a will, the estate will be distributed to the decedent’s heirs in accordance with Florida’s law of intestate succession.
The Personal Representative takes on a great deal of responsibility which include: paying decedent’s bills, filing tax returns, managing property, liquidating assets, creating an inventory of assets, providing proper notice to creditors and heirs, filing timely objections to any claims against the estate, and more.
Qualified Beneficiaries:
• Life Insurance
• Investments
• Pensions
REAL ESTATE
Whether you are buying or selling, a home is usually the biggest investment someone makes. Our office can assist with the process of preparing and reviewing contracts. Over-seeing the closing to ensure all requirements are met. Preparing and reviewing all necessary documents for the transfer of ownership.
Real Estate Transfers
• Enhanced Life Estate
• Deed to Trust
• Deed to Spouse
Overwhelmed? Don’t know where to turn? We can help…