Estate planning for Florida families with young children
Most parents don't put off planning because they don't care. They put it off because it feels expensive, morbid, and complicated. It doesn't have to be any of those.
What happens if you don't plan
If both parents die without naming a guardian, a Florida court decides who raises your children. Anything you leave them is held under court supervision until they turn 18, and then it's theirs outright, ready or not.
If you become unable to manage your own affairs, your family may need a court-supervised guardianship just to pay your bills.
A plan replaces those court processes with your own written instructions.
What a typical plan includes
| Document | What it does |
|---|---|
| Revocable living trust | Holds your assets so they pass to your family without probate, on the timeline you choose for your kids |
| Pour-over will | Names guardians for minor children and catches anything left outside the trust |
| Durable power of attorney | Lets someone you trust handle finances if you can't |
| Health care surrogate & living will | Names who makes medical decisions and records your end-of-life wishes |
| Pre-need guardian designation | Tells the court who you want if a guardian is ever needed for you |
Who this is for
Parents of minor children
This is the core of the practice. Naming guardians and deciding how and when your kids receive money is the most important part of the plan.
Retirees comfortable online
If you're fine filling out forms online and reviewing documents over Zoom, we can work together from anywhere in Florida. Signing happens in the Fort Lauderdale office.
Common questions
Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?
A will alone still goes through probate. A trust lets your family skip it. For most families with young children, a trust is the better fit because it also controls when your kids receive their inheritance. We'll talk through which makes sense for you on the free call.
Do I have to come to the office?
Only once, to sign. Florida law requires witnesses for a will and trust, and a notary makes them self-proving. Everything before that is done online.
How much does it cost?
Plans are a flat fee, quoted on the free call before you commit to anything.
I already have a plan from years ago. Can you review it?
Yes. Plans should be reviewed after a move to Florida, a new child, a divorce, a death in the family, or a big change in assets.