How Can We Assist You?
We can’t predict when we will die or become ill, but we can plan and prepare for it. That’s why estate plans are created. They determine what happens to your family and your property after you die. But they also designate trusted people to make health and financial decisions according to your specific instructions if you become incapacitated.
Without an estate plan, state laws and courts decide who gets your assets and who makes critical decisions. The state’s selections will probably not reflect your own.
Planning is an integral part of our lives. It is even more important in our later years. A custom estate plan ensures your wishes are carried out, estate taxes are minimized and helps your family manage emotional loss.
A plan ensures you have control over your quality of life, your home and other assets, how you age, and your privacy. It allows you and your family to have some peace of mind during difficult transitions.
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A thorough estate plan combines legal documents like wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and more to mitigate confusion in a health crisis, protect assets, and avoid delays in asset distribution. It helps you and your family make critical decisions and manage expenses if you become disabled or die. A custom strategy considers your family’s priorities to develop the best options while minimizing legal fees and tax consequences.
Estate plans start out simple while you are young, but as your family grows, it becomes more complex to accommodate the needs of minor children and even family pets. Failing to provide for your loved ones can create confusion and lead to devastating consequences.
Elder law is a part of estate planning, focusing on concerns as family members age and health begins to decline. Many worry the cost of health care could lead to losing a family home and a lifetime of savings, minimizing their legacy to spouses and children.
Through long-term care, Medicaid, and special needs planning, it is possible to prepare for rising long-term care costs before the need for care. Without planning, many families quickly go through their savings within a short period of time. Elder law services offer peace of mind to you and your family and may be especially important for those families supporting young children and aging parents at the same time.
Your designated personal representative (most likely a family member) must petition the probate court to begin the estate administration process after you pass. Probate can be time-consuming, create additional expenses, and be stressful. And if you have a trust, your chosen trustee will need to manage and settle the estate. It can be overwhelming for them as they grieve.
When you or someone you love is involved in the probate or trust administration process, an attorney’s support helps distribute assets to beneficiaries outlined in the will to properly review final expenses, debts, taxes, life insurance, and retirement proceeds. You’ll have someone to guide you through the administration process as smoothly as possible.
I am prepared to help you and your family cope with legal challenges throughout life. Your family will grow, their needs will change, and so will the law. I am happy to explain estate planning and elder law services and how documents are combined to preserve your quality of life and assets.
I have practiced law in Stuart, Florida, since 2009. I have helped Florida clients effectively manage and protect a lifetime of assets through estate planning, elder law and long-term care planning, and probate and trust administration.
To learn more, contact me for a consultation, email me at [email protected], or call (772) 212-4876.
