Ponte Vedra Will Attorney

Ponte Vedra Will Lawyer

During the course of your life, you collect and accumulate assets that allow you the opportunity to care for yourself and your family. When you pass, having an estate plan in place can provide one last opportunity to care for those same people by identifying your final wishes. At the Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A., our Ponte Vedra will attorney can help you with your estate planning needs.

We understand the importance of planning for your loved ones’ futures and ensure that your estate plan explicitly outlines how you wish your assets to be divided. For over 20 years, we have continued to serve our clients with compassionate legal advice. We can tailor a plan to your specific needs, circumstances, and wishes.

The Purpose of a Will

A will is a document that states who will receive your assets upon your death. It can ease the burden on your family as they grieve by ensuring many of the end-of-life decisions you desire are in place. Four benefits of a will include:

• Provide for children. For those who are charged with the care of minor children, a will can establish who will gain custody when you pass. Additionally, it can provide the details of specific assets to be distributed to the children and the parameters by which they should be distributed. This can ensure financial security for the children.
• Estate taxes. Even after you pass, you still owe taxes. However, with a will, the tax burden can be eased on your estate. When you grant possession of certain items to a charity, their value is taken out of your estate’s value, which reduces the amount of taxes owed on your estate.
• Planning a funeral. Many wills incorporate funeral plans, including the way in which you would like your remains to be handled or the type of funeral details you prefer.
• Disinheriting family members. In some families, complications arise, and your will can dictate which family members should be excluded from receiving or staking a claim to any of your assets. If you want non-family members to receive your assets, a will can ensure they do so. Without a will, your assets will be distributed according to intestate succession and will go to your closest living family members.

How an Attorney Can Help

While you may be inclined to create your will on your own, working with an attorney can provide you with the legal support you need. The document can be confusing and filled with many legal terms, but ultimately, it is a reflection of your wishes. Without the proper preparation, you could find that the details you would like honored are lost in the interpretation. An attorney can ensure everything is clear. In addition, an attorney can assist with the following:

• Creating a valid will. For a will to be considered valid, it must meet certain requirements. Some of these requirements include:
  • You must be at least 18 years of age when creating your will.
  • A will must be typed or handwritten in the presence of two witnesses.
  • A must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, and there must be at least one beneficiary named. These and other requirements must be met to be considered a valid will.
• Naming a representative. A personal representative is the person tasked with ensuring the details of the will are carried out after you pass. Their role involves filing the will with the probate court, managing the property in the will, establishing a bank account for the estate, paying creditors and taxes, and distributing the property of the deceased.

These requirements are just a few of the many necessary aspects of a will. In the event that this information is not included or is incorrect, the will’s validity could be challenged in probate court, resulting in ongoing litigation to settle the estate. However, an experienced attorney from the Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A., can properly plan to significantly decrease the chances that your will is challenged or deemed invalid. We can even discuss how to store the will properly.

FAQs

Q: How Much Do Most Lawyers Charge for a Will?

A: The cost of attorney services for preparing a will can vary depending on the experience of the attorney and the size or details of the estate. On average, a will attorney may charge between $300 and $1,200. The specific charges you may incur should be discussed during your initial consultation with your attorney.

Q: How Much Should an Estate Plan Cost in Florida?

A: The exact costs of your estate plan are determined by factors, including your attorney fees, the estate planning documents you choose to create, and the complexity of your plan. More complex elements like trusts will increase the overall expense of estate planning. On average, creating an estate plan could cost anywhere between $150 and several thousands of dollars.

Q: What Type of Lawyer Is Best for Wills?

A: In Ponte Verde, Florida, there are many different types of attorneys who practice many different areas of the law. When seeking to create a will or trust, you should look for an attorney who focuses on estate planning. These attorneys will be familiar with the requirements for the various documents and can help to minimize any challenges to validity or litigation in probate court.

Q: Do I Need an Attorney for a Will in Florida?

A: Establishing a will in Florida does not require the assistance of an attorney; however, because there are so many complexities in the document and impactful legal ramifications if the will is considered invalid, it is recommended that you seek the counsel of an experienced attorney. Without their help, you could risk additional hardship on your family as they are left to interpret the will on their own, meaning your final wishes may not be honored in the way you would like.

Get Help with an Expert Will Attorney in Ponte Vedra

Estate planning is a difficult but necessary step. While wills are extremely common estate planning documents, establishing a will can be complicated and, if not done properly, could result in your final wishes being delayed or never met. However, the help of an attorney from the Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A. can ensure your will is valid. Contact us today, and let us help you plan for the future of your assets.