Will Lawyer
Whether your estate plan is highly complex or bare-bones simple, you need to have a will. There are certain things you can accomplish with a will that you cannot do with other estate planning tools, such as a trust. If you have a will that you made some years ago, it is important to ensure that it still serves your needs and complies with current legal requirements.
At the Law Office of Cameron H.P. White, P.A., we custom tailor your will to meet your specific needs. To do that, we take the time to understand the details that affect your situation now and those that will have an impact in the future. We work with you to refine your goals so we can prepare a will that accomplishes your objectives without wasting your time and resources on arrangements that you don’t need.
Along the way, we explain the meanings of all the legal terms and the effects of different provisions, so you understand exactly what your will is set up to do. A will has to meet certain formal requirements to be valid, but that doesn’t mean the process of creating a will needs to be stuffy and uncomfortable. We want you to bel relaxed and confident, so you can make decisions without feeling rushed.
Whether you are starting from scratch or just need a checkup of a plan already in place, we are ready to help.
What You Can Accomplish with a Will
To understand why you need an up-to-date will, it is helpful to consider the things you can accomplish with a will and what happens if you don’t have one.
Among other things, your will can:
- Name someone to handle your final affairs when you pass away. Without a will, an estate administrator will be chosen according to statutory priorities, and the person designated may be the last person you want to take on the job.
- Choose a guardian for your minor children. If you have young children or could potentially have children in the future, you can name a guardian to take care of them if something should happen to you. If you don’t have a guardian designated, then the government will choose someone, and it may not be someone you would want to have responsibility for raising your child.
- Give specific gifts. You can make a special bequest to a family member or friend as a memento or as a way to protect something with special meaning that might otherwise be overlooked.
- Provide a safety net for your trust. If you have a revocable living trust, there is always the possibility that an item could get left out of the trust. Having a will as a back up ensures that the property passes the way you would want it to.
When you do not have a valid will in place at the time of your death, then the Florida laws of intestate succession determine who will receive your property, and the government’s plan may not align with your wishes at all.
Get the Right Will to Protect Your Family from the Law Office of Cameron H.P. White, P.A.
To start with a new will or review the terms of an existing will, just schedule a consultation at your convenience. At the Law Office of Cameron H.P. White, P.A., we are always available to answer questions, and want you to have a will and a plan that you understand and feel comfortable with.
Knowing that you are prepared allows you to face the future with confidence. Contact us today to get started.