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Estate Planning
The short answer is now. If you do not have a comprehensive estate plan, act now so that you can ensure your wishes are heard when you can no longer make them known.
Life events that trigger the need for an estate plan or the update of an existing plan, include the birth of a child, children turning the age of majority so that they can now be a decision-maker, aging parents and the death of a spouse or a child.
If you do not know whether you have written instructions for your disability, you have married or divorced, have persons named as decision makers who have since passed away or just are not sure whether your assets are addressed by your existing estate plan, then you should review your documents immediately and contact an estate planning attorney.
If you die without a will, you die "intestate." Intestate means that the Florida Statutes define who receives your property. Executing a will ensures that your property goes to the people you want to have it.
A will takes effect after you die. A will designates, among other things, who you want to receive your property after your die.
A Living Will is a document called an "advance directive." Its purpose is to express your wishes about medical decisions in the event that you cannot make those decisions for yourself.
The living will expresses your wishes about your medical decisions. A health care surrogate is the person you name to make medical decisions for you in the event that you cannot make them. Although a living will and a health care surrogate can be drafted separately, it is my practice to combine those documents.
While there is no requirement that you have an advance directive, the best practice is to put your wishes in writing. If you do not have an advance directive, then the Florida Statutes define who can make those decisions for you. The person may or may not know what you want.
Yes, it should be honored in Florida. However, you should consider reviewing your estate planning documents on a regular basis to ensure that the document still accomplishes your wishes.
While there are certainly plenty of websites or programs that will allow you to prepare the documents yourself, Florida has statutes in place regarding these documents. Problems often arise from "DIY" documents that can result in your wishes not being honored. It's better to consult competent legal help.
General
We provide consultations in order to understand your situation and determine if we are the right solution for you. For an honest assessment, book a consultation with us today.
When appropriate, we offer phone and video consultations. All will signings must be done in person.
Our office is located at
522 Alt 19 #1,
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
727-351-7057
Probate
Probate is the process of transferring a deceased person's assets to someone else. The person in charge of administering the estate (called the personal representative) must figure out what the decedent owned and distribute the assets to the persons who are entitled to receive them.
No. There are many reasons why a probate would not be necessary. Sometimes, people will put everything they own in a trust. Other times, they have designated what they own in a way to avoid probate (an example of this would be having an account titled “Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship.”) You should consult an attorney to figure out what the situation requires.
It depends. The Florida statutes provide for a fee that is presumed to be reasonably (generally 3% of the inventory value of the estate plus any income earned while the estate is being administered). However, if there are little assets or only real property, the attorney, client and people who would bear the fees can agree to a different fee.
Generally speaking, no. Unless you have agreed to be personally liable for the bills (an example would be as a co-owner or a co-signer), you are not responsible. To be sure, consult an attorney to answer this question.
WHY CHOOSE SHERRI M. STINSON, P.A.?
- Numerous 5-Star Reviews – Sherri M. Stinson, P.A. has a 5-star rating on Avvo and has amassed numerous positive reviews on other websites.
- Over 15 Years of Experience – Sherri Stinson, P.A. has more than 15 years of experience as an estate planning lawyer in Florida. She has also demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping seniors.
- Compassionate Legal Services – Sherri Stinson, P.A. has a reputation for providing compassionate legal services for clients. She understands that estate planning is a difficult topic, and she helps clients navigate the process with ease.
- Access to Technology – Sherri Stinson, P.A. uses cutting-edge technology to connect with clients. This includes clients who are handling estate planning needs for family members while living in other states.
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