Establishing an estate plan is important for everyone, no matter how young and healthy you are. Your estate plan allows you to determine how your assets are distributed, who cares for your children and what your legacy will be. Many people do not like to think about death and so delay this crucial process. However, coming up with a plan and creating the necessary documents will give you peace of mind. Should something happen to you, your organization and planning efforts will have eased the future burden on your family.
The Law Office of Jeffrey A. Attia, PA guides you through the process of drafting wills and trusts with compassion, honesty and professionalism. We offer you a candid assessment and develop a comprehensive plan that is tailored to your specific circumstances. To ensure accuracy, we also recommend that you periodically revisit your estate plan to make amendments that accommodate the natural changes in your circumstances and objectives, including momentous occasions such as births, deaths, marriage, divorce and substantial losses and gains in income and assets.
Your Last Will and Testament
Your will contains directions about distribution of your assets. This important document ensures your loved ones are well provided for and allocates assets to the beneficiaries you specify. You may also name a guardian for your minor children in your will. If both parents have passed, the court will give substantial deference to guardians the parents named in their wills.
If you pass on without a will or other testamentary instruments, the distribution of your assets will be regulated by Florida’s intestate succession rules, which may not meet your wishes or provide for your intended recipients. Our firm helps you draft a will that meets your goals and ensures your assets are bequeathed to your intended recipients.
Trusts
A trust created either created within a will (testamentary trust) or a revocable trust is a common instrument that can hold your property for the benefit of your heirs. Trusts serve a variety of purposes and may be set up during your lifetime or through a provision of your will. Common ways trusts may be used for estate planning purposes include:
- Care of minor children. A trustee can pay for the care of your young children out of the trust’s funds.
- Provide for a beneficiary with Special Needs. A special needs trust allows you to provide for a beneficiary who has special needs without jeopardizing their access to needs based public benefits.
- Allocating benefits to adults. A trust can preserve assets for your adult children, children from a previous marriage or other adult heirs.
- Setting terms of inheritance. Instead of leaving your teen or young adult child a large chunk of money, you can use the trust to distribute funds at appropriate intervals and under reasonable terms to match their developing sense of responsibility.
- Pet trust. A pet trust ensures the person with whom you entrusted your pets has adequate funding to pay for their lifetime care.
- Charitable trust. Support philanthropic causes that are dear to you through a charitable trust or other planned giving opportunity.
Develop Your Estate Plan Today With the Help of Our Fort Myers Trust Attorney
Even if you are young and in good health, you should have your estate plan to ensure your desired distribution of assets should you become incapacitated or pass on. The Law Office of Jeffrey A. Attia strategizes a complete estate plan and drafts wills and trusts tailored to your specific circumstances and goals. Call our Fort Myers trust attorney for guidance on this important process at 239.919.2318.
