Jacksonville Estate Planning Attorney
If you are interested in creating an estate plan, please call Ronald Cutler, P.A. Our firm has helped many people create sensible estate plans that help them prepare for the future. Unfortunately, few Americans have a plan in place, or they are missing key documents. When they die, chaos could ensue as their family members squabble with each other and end up fighting in probate court. You can take control of the future by reaching out to a Jacksonville estate planning attorney at our firm to get started on your own, individually crafted estate plan.
What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning involves preparing for your eventual death, as well as incapacity. Virtually everyone has an estate, which they need to leave to someone after death. We also help our clients think through what they want to happen if they lose capacity through illness or accident. Imagine you get dementia. For several years (at least) you will be unable to handle your affairs. Estate planning helps you think through what you want to have happen.
We address many issues with estate planning:
- Who will take care of minor children? You can use a will to name guardians for your children.
- Who will defend the estate in litigation? Creditors might sue your estate after you die. You will name a personal representative to handle your estate in probate.
- Who will inherit from you at death? You can use a will or trust to leave assets to loved ones. You might also gain tax advantages by leaving assets to a charity. Let us think through your various options.
- Who will manage your affairs if you lose capacity? Illness, as well as dementia, makes it impossible for many seniors to manage their daily affairs. You can appoint different people to handle these issues, such as an agent in a durable power of attorney. You can also identify what specific medical treatment you want at the end of life.
These are some of the most important estate planning tasks. Call our firm to get started.
What to Look for in a Jacksonville Estate Planning Attorney
A good attorney is someone who understands Florida law. You might have created an estate plan in a different state before moving to Jacksonville. Contact us to revise some of the documents. We can ensure your durable power of attorney and living will conform to Florida law so there are no questions if you end up incapacitated.
We can also revise a will or trust after divorce or after the birth of a child. Estate plans should change along with your life. We can ensure that your essential documents are valid in Florida in case there are challenges in the future when you can no longer speak about what you want.
Give Us a Call
Estate planning is not a Do-It-Yourself area of law. There are so many legal considerations, including how to leave assets to loved ones. Please call Ronald Cutler, P.A. to speak with a Jacksonville estate planning attorney today.
