Naples Wills & Trusts Attorney

Anyone seeking to create a will or trust should call Ronald Cutler, P.A., to obtain professional estate planning services. Now is not the time to use fill-in-the-blank forms or just copy a will your sister made. Although you might save money temporarily, you could end up costing your heirs thousands of dollars if you create the wrong document. Instead, obtain individualized service from a Naples wills & trusts attorney with our firm.

Mistakes with Do-It-Yourself Estate Plans

Anyone making their own will or trust could easily slip up and hurt their loved ones. Here are some common mistakes people make:

1. Creating a will without following the formalities. Florida law lays out requirements for wills, such as a requirement that they be signed by two witnesses. If your will doesn’t conform to these requirements, then a judge will set it aside. It’s now too late to create a new will.
2. Forgetting property. You can use a will or trust (or both) to leave assets to loved ones. One reason to meet with an attorney is to discuss what property you own. Some people forget assets, and then the asset goes to someone they don’t want to inherit from them.
3. Creating the wrong document. Wills and trusts have more differences than similarities. You might create a will when what you really need is to leave assets to a loved one in a trust.
4. Failing to create the right trust. There are many different trusts. Some of them provide tax advantages, while others do not. You should meet with an experienced attorney to ensure you have created the right estate planning vehicle.
5. Choosing the wrong personal representative. This is the person tasked with shepherding your estate through probate. We recommend spending some time thinking about who can adequately serve as your representative. The person should live near you and understand your objectives. Attorneys often have great advice about who to pick.
6. Naming the wrong trustee. A trustee manages assets moved into a trust. If you create a living trust, you can serve as trustee while you are alive. However, you’ll need to pick someone to succeed you at death. You should choose someone responsible. Let’s talk it over so you are comfortable with your choice.
7. Failing to revise an estate plan. There are situations where you need to take a second look at an estate plan. For example, did you get divorced? You probably named your spouse as your personal representative. Now is the time to revise the will. People who create their own estate plans often forget to revise it.

These are some of the most common errors. It’s highly likely you’ll sow discord among your family and possibly die without a valid will or trust if you try to piece together your own document.

Get Expert Legal Advice from a Naples Wills & Trusts Attorney

Wills and trusts are essential building blocks for estate plans. At Ronald Cutler, P.A., we put decades of experience to work for our clients. Contact us to speak with a Naples wills & trusts attorney.