Sarasota Estate Planning Lawyer
Creating an estate plan is an important part of thinking about your future and the future of your loved ones. While creating an estate plan may force you to face an uncomfortable reality, putting a plan in place now can lead to increased peace of mind and the mitigation of conflict between loved ones later. At the office of Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian, our Sarasota estate planning lawyers are here to support you and guide you in the creation of your estate plan. Call our law firm today to learn more about how we can help.
Why Make an Estate Plan?
If you have family or own property–regardless of whether or not you’re considered wealthy–having an estate plan is important. When you have an estate plan, you can specify how you want your property distributed when you die, who you want to care for any minor children, and what your preferences are for medical and palliative care.If you don’t have an estate plan, then you won’t have any say over these matters. In fact, when you die, your estate will be distributed per Florida’s intestate succession rules – not your wishes. What’s more, there may be disagreements between your family members over who gets what, how debts should be paid, what should be done with real estate and other property, and what your medical care should look like. You have the potential to prevent such disputes by creating an estate plan.
What Goes Into an Estate Plan?
An estate plan should be comprehensive and include various legal documents and strategies as such. Some basic estate planning tools and documents include:
- A trust is an estate planning tool that allows property to be held by a trustee, who distributes the assets to trust beneficiaries. A major benefit of a trust is that it avoids the probate process.
- Last will and testament. A last will and testament–or simply a will–outlines how you want property to be divided, debts to be paid, who you want to care for a minor child or disabled loved one, and more. You also use a will to name an executor of your estate.
- Advanced directive. An advanced directive, also called a living will, provides direction for your medical care in the event that you are unable to communicate these wishes due to a medical condition or severe accidents.
- Powers of attorney. Powers of attorney provide someone else, such as a spouse or adult child, with the authority to make decisions on your behalf relevant to your health care, finances, or both.
Call Our Sarasota Estate Planning Lawyers Today
If you have questions about creating an estate plan, our lawyers at the law offices of Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian can help. We will work with you to create an estate plan that is personalized to your needs and interests. Reach our Sarasota estate planning lawyers today by phone or online to get started.
