How Long Does Estate Planning Take in Florida?

"How long will this take?" is one of the most common questions at a first estate planning consultation. The answer depends on the complexity of your plan and how prepared you are to provide information and make decisions.

Here is a realistic, stage-by-stage timeline.

Stage 1: Initial Consultation

Time: 60–90 minutes

The first meeting covers your family structure, assets, goals, and concerns. The attorney identifies what documents you need and explains options. At the end, you should have a clear proposal: what will be drafted, what it costs, and what information you need to provide.

This meeting can sometimes be completed remotely by video or phone, which reduces scheduling friction.

Stage 2: Gathering Information

Time: 1–7 days (entirely up to you)

After the consultation, you will typically need to provide:

• Full names, dates of birth, and contact information for beneficiaries, trustees, and personal representatives
• The legal description of any Florida real estate to be retitled into a trust
• Beneficiary designation information for insurance and retirement accounts
• Decisions about distributions to minor children (what ages, what conditions)
• Guardian designations for minor children

  This stage is the most common cause of delay. Attorneys can draft quickly once they have the information — but clients who need to discuss decisions with family members, locate property documents, or consult about guardian choices can extend this stage to weeks.

  Tip: If you want to move quickly, prepare this information before your consultation.

  Stage 3: Drafting

  Time: 3–10 business days (attorney-side)

  Once the attorney has complete information, drafting a standard estate plan typically takes 3–10 business days depending on the firm's workload and the complexity of your situation.

  Complex situations — blended families, business interests, non-citizen spouses, significant tax planning — take longer than straightforward plans.

  Stage 4: Review

  Time: 2–7 days

  The client reviews the draft documents, asks questions, and requests any changes. This stage can go quickly if the documents reflect exactly what was discussed, or can extend if significant changes are needed.

  Most standard plans require minor revisions at most. Reviewing 20–30 pages of legal documents carefully takes an evening.

  Stage 5: Signing Ceremony

  Time: 30–60 minutes

  Florida has specific execution requirements:

  For a will: Two witnesses must be present and sign in the testator's presence. A self-proving affidavit (recommended) requires a notary in addition. If any witness is not available at the signing, the will can still be executed but without the self-proving affidavit.

  For a revocable living trust: Florida does not require witnesses, but notarization is required (F.S. §736.0403).

  For a durable power of attorney: Two witnesses and a notary are required under Florida law (F.S. §709.2105).

  For a healthcare surrogate designation: Two witnesses are required; no notary required (F.S. §765.202).

  All of these signings can typically be completed in one appointment at the attorney's office, which has witnesses and a notary present.

  Stage 6: Funding the Trust

  Time: 1–4 weeks (for real estate retitling)

  If your plan includes a revocable living trust, it must be funded — meaning assets must be retitled in the trust's name — to work properly. An unfunded trust does not avoid probate.

  For Florida real estate, the attorney prepares a deed transferring the property from you personally to you as trustee. The deed must be recorded in the county property records. Recording turnaround varies by county: Broward County typically processes recorded deeds within 1–3 weeks.

  Bank accounts, investment accounts, and other assets can usually be retitled by contacting the financial institution directly and providing a trust certification document.

  Total Timeline Summary

  | Plan Type | Typical Timeline | |---|---| | Basic will package (will, DPOA, healthcare surrogate) | 1–3 weeks | | Full trust package with real estate funding | 3–6 weeks | | Emergency healthcare documents only | 24–48 hours | | Rush full plan (urgent health situation) | 5–10 days |

  What Causes Delays

  • Client needs time to discuss guardian choices with family
  • Client cannot locate legal property description for real estate
  • Multiple rounds of document revisions
  • Attorney's scheduling backlog for signing appointments
  • County recording delays for deeds

    How Long Does the Plan Last?

    Once signed, your estate plan is valid until revoked, amended, or superseded. Florida does not require wills to be re-executed periodically. A properly drafted plan can remain in place for decades without modification — though periodic review (every 3–5 years and after major life events) is strongly recommended.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I update my will after it's signed? Yes, through a codicil (amendment to the will) or by executing a completely new will. For most updates, a new will is cleaner. The attorney can draft amendments quickly once decisions are made.

    I'm traveling in two weeks. Can we finish before I leave? In most cases yes, if you can provide information promptly and schedule the signing appointment quickly. Communicate your timeline at the outset.

    What if I need a will drafted urgently for someone in the hospital? Contact the office directly and explain the situation. Emergency estate planning for medically vulnerable individuals is available on an expedited basis. Healthcare surrogate and DPOA documents can often be completed in one day; a will requires witnesses, which takes coordination but is achievable quickly.

    Contact Mark Mastrarrigo P.A. to start the process. Our Cooper City office serves clients throughout Broward County — call to schedule a consultation that fits your timeline.