A living trust, health care surrogate, power of attorney, last will and testament, or personal residence trust are all mechanisms that can be used in estate planning to manage who receives your property after you die. Working with a knowledgeable attorney who understands what they’re doing makes the process easier. A lawyer can help you understand your options, make sure your will stands up in court, and handle any issues that come up after your death.
Also, if you’re worried about becoming disabled before you die, a lawyer can help you make preparations. Making a living will and a durable power of attorney does this. In the event that you become unable to express your preferences verbally, a durable power of attorney designates a trusted individual to act on your behalf in making choices. In a living will, you can specify the care you would like to receive in the case that you are unable to do so on your own.
You may also get help with the preparation of other crucial papers from the top Broward County, Florida, wills and trusts attorney. An example of a Lady Bird deed is when an elderly person can keep their home as a life estate for as long as they live, and then, when they die, the title falls to the remaining beneficiaries, who are typically the offspring of the elderly person, bypassing probate. A pour-over will is an easy way to safeguard your living trust by directing that any assets that are not already in it be “poured” into it. In this way, your loved ones won’t have to go through the troublesome guardianship process to take care of your assets.
You may avoid probate, save taxes, and specify how heirs get assets by working with a trusts lawyer who can establish a variety of trusts. Additionally, trust attorneys can help people with special needs or philanthropic causes establish trusts.
Consult a seasoned attorney if you are dealing with the estate of a deceased loved one. The ideal method to divide up your assets can be discussed with a lawyer that specializes in wills and trusts in Fort Lauderdale. Considerations such as naming a guardian for any young children, determining the distribution of your assets, and the possibility of leaving some to charity are all part of this process.
In addition to wills and trusts, a Fort Lauderdale attorney may assist you with drafting other important legal papers. If you’re having trouble navigating the red tape at your local hospital or insurance company, appointing a health care surrogate may be the way to go. To avoid having your house go through probate, you may choose to set up a personal residence trust. The advantages of each document can be better understood and executed with the help of an attorney.