An Estate Plan addresses who gets your property when you pass away, and who can make decisions and act on your behalf while you are alive.
At Cuturic Law we believe too many people and families are without good Estate Plans.
Poor Estate Planning leads to conflict in families, loss of control, anxiety about the future, and wasted money.
A good Estate Plan leads to better quality of life, aging with dignity, minimizing burdens on loved ones, and happier, wealthier, more loving families.
The first step towards peace of mind is to schedule a consultation with us where we can discuss your wishes and concerns. We will help you create a plan that is right for you and your family.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS ESTATE PLANNING?
Estate planning is essential for everyone. Unfortunately, none of us can predict when we will die or become ill. An estate plan addresses what happens to your family and your property upon your death. It also puts a plan into place for making healthcare decisions and taking financial actions if you cannot do so.
If you do not have an estate plan in place, then state laws and courts will decide who gets your assets when you pass and who can make healthcare or financial decisions while you’re alive when you cannot. Having a proper estate plan in place ensures your wishes are carried out, minimizes costs, and makes things easy for your family during a difficult time.
WHAT DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE IN AN ESTATE PLAN?
Each Florida estate plan is unique. Estate planning requires its own set of legal documents depending on your wishes and what you want to protect and pass to your loved ones after death. Some essential documents commonly used in a Florida estate plan are a will, trust, financial power of attorney, living will, and healthcare surrogacy.
Last Will and Testament: This legal document appoints an executor of your estate after you pass. The executor will take care of managing the estate, paying outstanding debts, and distributes specific property. A will must go through Florida probate court.
Trusts: In this legal document, the property is still distributed at death, but it is done without the need of a probate court proceeding. During your lifetime, the trust will own the property, and your beneficiaries will receive designated assets after death.
Financial Power of Attorney: A financial power of attorney names an agent who has the power to act in your place for matters relating to finances.
Living Will: This document outlines a person’s wishes for end-of-life medical care. It can include wishes regarding what medical treatments the person would or would not like to have in specific situations. A living will takes the stress of making those decisions off of family members and helps keep peace in families during times that can be difficult and emotional.
Healthcare Surrogate: A healthcare power of attorney, called a “designation of healthcare surrogate” in Florida, is also a vital part of an estate plan. This legal document allows you to appoint an agent to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to.
Cuturic Law, PLLC, is here to help you and your family understand estate planning, probate, and elder law. Our Venice, Florida law firm welcomes you to contact us and learn how to help meet your estate planning needs.
