Estate Planning Attorney in Orlando

Yes. Estate planning isn't just about wealth-it's about clarity, control, and protecting the people you love. Even a simple plan can avoid unnecessary court involvement, ease the burden on your family, and ensure your wishes are honored. 

A will takes effect after you pass away and often requires probate. A trust becomes effective immediately and can manage your assets while you're alive or incapacitated-while also avoiding probate after death. Many Floridians use both for full protection. 

If you pass away without a valid will, Florida law decides who inherits your estate through a processed called intestate succession. This means the court distributes your assets on a legal formula-not your personal relationship or wishes.

Choose someone responsible, trustworthy, and capable of handling finances and paperwork, ideally someone who can work well with attorneys and your beneficiaries. You can also appoint professional or legal fiduciary if no one in your circle is a good fit.

At minimum, a solid Florida estate plan should include: 

• A Last Will and Testament.
• A Revocable Living Trust (optional but highly recommended).
• A Durable Power of Attorney.
• A Health Care Surrogate Designation.
• A Living Will for end-of-life decisions.

These documents work well together to protect you now and your family later.

Update your plan after any major life event - marriage, divorce, a new child, moving to Florida, or a significant change in assets. We recommend reviewing your documents every 3-5 years to keep everything current and enforceable under Florida Law.

First secure important documents such as the will, trust, and death certificate. Notify Social Security, and avoid moving or selling assets prematurely. Then, contact one of our probate attorneys at Barrister Law Firm to help you understand your next steps and begin the process legally and efficiently.

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling a deceased person's estate. It can be time-consuming, public, and emotionally draining. Many people use tools like trusts or beneficiary designations to avoid probate and keep matters private and efficient. 

Yes, you can. Using a revocable living trust, properly titled assets, and up-to-date beneficiary forms can help your estate bypass probate entirely, saving your family time, stress, and legal fees. 

On average, Florida probate can take anywhere from 6 months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate and whether any disputes arise. With proper planning, many delays and unexptected costs can be avoided.