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Port St. Lucie Wills, Trusts, and Estates Attorney

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An experienced Port St. Lucie wills, trusts, and estates attorney understands that planning for the future is important for many individuals. Here is how we can help with yours.

People in Port St. Lucie and the surrounding areas of the Treasure Coast often have questions about wills, trusts, and estates. At Apfelbaum Law, Some may not be sure of the best way to ensure their children are taken care of financially. Others want to make sure their wishes are carried out once they have passed. As Port St. Lucie wills, trusts, and estate planning lawyers, always take the time to ask clients questions about their goals in estate planning, so we can ensure their wishes are handled appropriately when the time comes.

A will allows you to determine what happens to your assets after your death. If an individual dies without a will in Florida—also known as dying intestate—then his or her estate falls under Florida’s default statutory laws. In this situation, the state has a set of rules for distributing assets among any living relatives they can find, with closer relatives getting higher priority.

Obviously, many people would prefer to make their own decisions about who receives their assets. For example, you may feel that a close friend who has always been there for you deserves to inherit some of your assets, but your sibling who has not spoken to you in twenty years does not. Unfortunately, if you have not taken the time to put those wishes in writing, under Florida state law your estate may end up going to your sibling if no other relatives can be found.

Helping Clients With Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Port St. Lucie wills, trusts, and estate lawyers also help clients with other concerns, such as setting up trusts. In Florida, a living trust allows you to transfer your assets into a trust while you continue to use them. In the event of your death, they will be distributed to those you have made beneficiaries. Assets placed in a trust do not go through probate, and this may save beneficiaries time and money. However, not all assets can be placed in a trust—retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s are ineligible. Laws regarding placing your home in a trust are very complex, and it may not be possible to do so. Your Florida estate attorney can advise you on the options for your situation.

In general, a living trust is not as beneficial for smaller estates totaling $75,000 or less. However, trusts may be helpful for those with larger estates, people who own real property outside of Florida, and those who wish to transfer management of assets to other parties if they become incapacitated or unable to manage these assets on their own.

When making a will, you may also want to consider assigning guardianship for your minor children should you and the child’s other parent both pass away or become incapacitated. By assigning guardianship, you can ensure your children will be cared for by someone you trust and the decision is not left up to the court. A health care directive is another consideration. This document allows you to decide who will make health care decisions for you in the event that you are unable to make them for yourself.

If you have questions or concerns about wills, estates, trusts, or other Florida legal services, please contact Apfelbaum Law for a consultation. We can be reached at 772-236-4009, or contactus@alawfl.com.

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