5 Things You Should Know About Estate Planning in Florida (2024)

What Do Floridians Need To Know About Estate Planning?

If you are new to estate planning, you may not know where to begin. You may wonder why people need an estate plan or whether you should have one. The purpose of estate planning is to prepare for the unknown, both for yourself and your loved ones. You should start by learning a few of the basics about estate planning. The Law Office Of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A., is here to help you find out what you need to know.

The Top 5 Estate Planning Facts Everyone Should Know

Our firm has been helping people create estate plans for nearly two decades. Below, find a few facts we think everyone should know about Florida estate planning:

1. An estate plan is more than just a will. Most people think of a will, or maybe a trust, when they think of an estate plan, but a true plan will take care of you and your estate while you are still alive, as you age and after your death. This is achieved using several documents and checking that all of your assets are prepared to transfer the way you wish.
2. An estate plan has flexibility. Whether you want to distribute your estate to charity, protect it for your grandchildren or include a bequest for a blended family, you can create an estate plan that will successfully achieve your goals. These plans can also be changed to meet the changing needs of your family.
3. A DIY estate plan often costs more in the end. Too often, people download a quick document off the internet and fill it out themselves, thinking they have created an estate plan. Unfortunately, these documents are generally not very trustworthy, and they can end up costing much more for the family to sort out than if you had hired an attorney to create your documents and plan.
4. An estate plan is part of a larger financial plan. Your estate plan should work with your current financial plan to help you prepare for retirement, manage your taxes and take care of you if you become incapacitated.
5. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. Everyday people across Florida prepare estate plans. Why? So they can ensure that their hard-earned property and savings are distributed the way they wish, and to make sure they have documents such as a power of attorney or a medical advance directive to help them as they age. Perhaps they want to set up a special needs trust for a disabled adult child or figure out the best way to pass the family home on to their children. You don’t have to be extremely rich to benefit from an estate plan.

These are just a few of the basics. Every client and every family is unique and needs legal guidance tailored to their specific needs. We will help you understand what type of estate plan would work best for you.

Do You Still Have Estate Planning Questions?

Our attorney, Douglas A. Oberdorfer, has been practicing law for over 20 years and is ready to answer any questions you may have about estate planning. Please contact our Jacksonville office to schedule a free initial consultation with him to find out what he can do for you and your family. Reach out to us online or call 904-299-6912.