Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Experience You Can Trust.
John Clarke: Fort Lauderdale Estate Planning Lawyer | Attorney in South Florida
Life is full of unexpected changes. A well-crafted estate plan provides for the succession of your property to your loved ones, and assures you that your legacy will live on. It’s never too early to begin your estate planning. To ensure that your plan for the passing of your property to your family on death is followed, you should execute a will or trust. The type of estate plan that works best depends on many factors such as the size of the estate, your tax situation, and the beneficiaries you choose. You should update these documents when you experience a life change, such as marriage or the death of a beneficiary, so that your estate plan will remain relevant.
Estate Planning is for Everyone
Wills and estate planning are not just for the elderly or wealthy. Probate is an expensive and time-consuming process that can often be avoided by planning ahead with the help of a competent attorney. Whatever your stage of life, you deserve to have the peace of mind of knowing that you have an estate plan that should execute your wishes in case the unforeseen happens. Good planning can help ensure your assets and their beneficiaries are protected, your legacy is honored, and the distribution of assets flows smoothly. A complete estate plan may include a durable family power of attorney, designation of health care surrogate, and a living will.
The Estate Planning Process – Explained
The estate planning process consists of identifying assets, deciding who you want to inherit the assets, and choosing the best tools to put your plan into action. The process begins by identifying your assets. You will need to take an inventory of what you own – everything from real estate investments, to automobiles, to money you’ve stored under your bed for a rainy day. The next step is deciding who you want to receive your assets in the event of your death. Then you will need to determine the manner in which the assets will be distributed, and take the proper measures to ensure that the assets are protected. If you have minor children or family members who depend on you, there is also the non-financial side of estate planning, which can involve choosing guardians and trustees.
An estate plan can include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills. It should serve to clearly and efficiently pass your assets to your chosen beneficiaries. ClarkeLaw can assist you to prepare the right estate planning vehicle to carry out the distribution of assets that you desire. Since your assets and relationships will certainly change over time, it is important to keep your estate plan up-to-date. If you don’t have a well-crafted, current estate plan, you run the risk of:
Large estate taxes
Wills being contested
Assets not being distributed as intended
How We Can Help
We have significant experience preparing wills and administering estate plans that carry out our clients’ wishes. We are committed to creating unique estate plans for each of our clients that reflect their individual wishes and circumstances. We also can act as the personal representative of the estate of a deceased person, petitioning the Court to distribute their assets in a way that is true to their estate plan. Finally, if a person becomes incapacitated, we can set up a guardianship and other solutions that provide for their care and the preservation of their assets.
Contact Florida estate planning attorney John Clarke for a free consultation regarding your estate plan:
