Trusts, Wills & Estate Planning
Preparing you and your family for the future
We guide clients through the estate planning process in Florida, including creating a will, power of attorney, health care surrogate, and asset protection. We develop options for business succession, and set up trusts to maximize tax efficiency. We also assist clients in processing estates, whether there is a Will or not.
We are Trusts, Wills, and Estate Planning lawyers in Lighthouse Point/Pompano Beach, assisting clients in asset distribution upon death and helping the client’s estate to avoid probate. We advise clients regarding the advantages and disadvantages of different estate plans and we have experience in the following areas:
Drafting, reviewing, and amending (known as codicils) Last Will & Testaments
Drafting and reviewing Powers of Attorney, Health Care Surrogates, Living Wills, Preneed Guardian Designations, HIPAA releases
Administering Estates & Trusts as a fiduciary, appointments of Personal Representatives, and Trustees
Assisting Personal Representatives and Trustees in administrating Estates and Trusts
Top 3 Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Pompano Beach, FL, Three Best Rated, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your goals, and many people have both. A Last Will and Testament (the “Will”) says who receives your property and who will handle your estate, but it still goes through probate. A revocable living trust can keep assets out of probate, keeps your affairs private, and lets someone you trust step in if you become incapacitated. We’ll help you decide which fits your family.
Florida law decides for you. Your property passes to relatives in the order set by statute, which may not match your wishes, and a court appoints someone to handle your estate. Your family will also need to go through probate. A simple Will lets you make those choices yourself.
Yes, for assets that are actually in the trust. This step is called “funding” the trust, and it matters. For example, if you sign a trust but never deed your home into it, the home may still need to go through probate. We walk you through funding so your trust works the way you expect.
Usually, yes. Florida generally honors a will that was valid in the state where it was signed. There is one common catch: Florida limits who can serve as your personal representative (the “executor”). The friend you named back home may not qualify here, so a quick review after moving to Florida is well worth it.
At a minimum, we recommend a Will or trust, a durable power of attorney for financial matters, a health care surrogate designation, a living will, and a HIPAA release. Together, these make sure the people you trust can act for you, both during your lifetime and after.
Not always. If you’re survived by a spouse or a minor child, the Florida Constitution limits who can receive your homestead. A spouse can sometimes waive these rights in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. This is one of the most common surprises we see, so it’s worth planning for early.
We suggest a review every three to five years, and anytime life changes: a marriage, divorce, birth, death in the family, a move to Florida, or buying or selling a home or business. An outdated plan can cause the very problems you meant to avoid.
The law doesn’t require one, but Florida has strict signing rules. A Will must be signed at the end, in front of two witnesses who also sign. A small mistake can make a Will invalid or harder to probate. Working with an attorney helps make sure your wishes hold up when your family needs them most.