An estate plan decides who receives what, who is in charge, and who speaks for you if you cannot. The firm writes plans for individuals, couples, and owners of family businesses in Melbourne and across Brevard County, and handles the administration when a plan takes effect.
When to update a plan
A plan written years ago may no longer match the family or the law. Common reasons to update: marriage or divorce, a birth, a death, a move to Florida from another state, a sale or purchase of a business, or a change in the size of the estate.
What to bring to a first meeting
- A list of what you own and roughly what it is worth, including accounts, real estate, business interests, and life insurance.
- Existing wills, trusts, or powers of attorney.
- The names of the people you would choose to be in charge and to inherit.
Questions people ask
Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?
It depends on what you own and what you want to avoid. A will directs assets but goes through probate in court. A revocable trust, once assets are titled in it, can pass those assets without probate. The first meeting sorts out which fits.
What happens if I die without a will in Florida?
Florida law decides who inherits, in an order set by statute, and a court appoints someone to handle the estate. The result may not match what you would have chosen.
Contact the office to start or update a plan.