Helpful articles and guides to help you understand Florida estate planning. Learn about wills, trusts, probate, and how to protect your family.
Nursing home care in Broward County exceeds $10,000 per month. Florida Medicaid covers it — but only for families who planned five years ahead. By the time most families call an elder law attorney after a nursing home admission, the most powerful options are already gone.
When a parent suffers a stroke and has no power of attorney in place, family members face a legal crisis on top of a medical one. Here is what Florida law says and what steps you can take.
Losing a parent is hard enough. Discovering there is no will makes it harder. This guide covers exactly what to do — and what not to do — when a parent dies intestate in Florida.
LegalZoom is cheaper upfront. But Florida has some of the most specific estate planning laws in the country — homestead rules, witness requirements, and probate procedures that a generic online form cannot navigate for you.
A little preparation before your first estate planning meeting saves time and helps your attorney give you better advice. Here is exactly what to gather and what decisions to think through in advance.
Southwest Ranches is unlike any other Broward County community — one-acre minimums, equestrian trails, agricultural exemptions, and a property profile that requires estate planning strategies most attorneys overlook.
If you split your time between Florida and another state, your estate plan probably has gaps — and they can be expensive. The questions of where you are legally domiciled, whether your out-of-state will works in Florida, and what happens to your Florida property at death all require specific answers.
Weston is one of the most internationally diverse communities in South Florida, with large Venezuelan, Colombian, Argentine, and Brazilian populations. Estate planning for non-citizen residents and families with assets in multiple countries requires strategies that standard plans overlook.
If you moved to Florida with a will from another state, it may be technically valid — but it may not accomplish what you intend under Florida law. Understanding when to update is as important as knowing whether your will will be accepted.
The day your child turns 18, federal law cuts off your automatic access to their medical records, financial accounts, and academic information — even in an emergency. Three simple legal documents fix that gap before it becomes a crisis.
Having a child is the most common reason people finally create an estate plan — and for good reason. Without one, a Florida court decides who raises your child and who controls their inheritance.
Nursing home care in Broward County can cost $8,000–$12,000 per month or more. Medicaid covers it — but eligibility requires meeting strict asset limits. Without planning, a lifetime of savings can be spent down in months.
Remarriage creates one of the most common — and most challenging — estate planning scenarios: the need to provide for a new spouse while protecting children from a prior relationship. Without the right structure, Florida law may leave one or the other without the protection you intended.
Going into a first meeting with an estate planning attorney without knowing what to ask is like going to a doctor's appointment without describing your symptoms. These questions will help you get a useful consultation and understand what you actually need.
Most people are surprised by how quickly estate planning can be completed when both parties are prepared. Here is a realistic timeline for each stage of the process.
A small business is often a family's largest asset — and the hardest to transfer at death without proper planning. For Broward County business owners, business succession planning and personal estate planning must work together.
Buying a home is the largest financial transaction most people complete — but most new homeowners do not realize that the closing is only the beginning. Five legal documents protect what you just purchased and ensure your family is covered if something goes wrong.
Most Florida homeowners carry a mortgage — and most estate plans do not address what happens to that debt when the owner dies. The answer is more nuanced than "the estate pays it off," and understanding it is essential for both planning and inheritance.
Estate planning costs in Florida vary based on what documents you need. A basic will package typically costs $500–$1,500, while a comprehensive trust-based plan runs $2,500–$5,000 or more. Here is what drives the price and how to know what you actually need.
A Lady Bird deed is one of the most useful estate planning tools available to Florida homeowners. It allows you to transfer real property at death without probate while retaining full control during your lifetime.
The trustee you choose will manage your assets, make distribution decisions, and carry out your wishes. Selecting the right person or institution is one of the most important decisions in your estate plan.
Guardianship is a court-supervised process that grants one person the legal authority to make decisions for another who is unable to do so. Understanding when it is needed and how it works can help families prepare.
Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and financial accounts override your will and trust. Mistakes in these designations are among the most common and costly estate planning errors.
From cryptocurrency and online banking to social media and email, digital assets are an increasingly important part of your estate. Florida law provides a framework for managing these assets after death, but only if you plan ahead.
Florida homestead law provides powerful protections for your primary residence, but also creates unique estate planning challenges. Understanding these rules is essential for Florida property owners.
Probate in Florida can be time-consuming and expensive. A properly funded revocable living trust provides an effective way to bypass the probate process entirely.
Florida has specific requirements for wills to be legally valid. Understanding these rules helps ensure your will actually works when your family needs it.
A durable power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents. It ensures someone you trust can manage your affairs if you become unable to do so.
Probate is the legal process for settling an estate after death. Understanding how Florida probate works helps families prepare and avoid surprises.
Healthcare decisions should remain in your control, even if you cannot speak for yourself. Florida provides legal tools to ensure your medical wishes are followed.
Families with disabled members face unique challenges in estate planning. A special needs trust can provide for your loved one without jeopardizing their government benefits.
Florida probate takes time. Understanding the typical timeline helps families plan and manage expectations during the estate settlement process.
If you moved to Florida from another state, your estate plan may need significant updates. Florida law differs in important ways that can affect your documents.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific estate planning needs.