Frequently Asked Questions

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.