TAMPA ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY (and Surrounding Areas)
Estate planning deals with distributing your property (assets) after you pass away, amongst doing several other things. Estate Planning also includes handling your financial and healthcare decisions while you are alive and/or incapacitated. It also includes asset protection planning. This is especially important if you have children and/or creditors.
As a Tampa, Land O’ Lakes (and surrounding areas) Estate Planning Attorney, my main objective is to make sure that your final wishes and intent is strictly followed, whether you are alive and/or incapacitated or recently passed away. My second objective is to make sure that your property is protected, so that it passes to your intended beneficiaries and not some unintended beneficiaries or third parties. If you have any questions about estate planning, please complete our intake form.
Tampa Estate Planning Services
Last Will and Testament
One of the main estate planning documents is the Last Will and Testament aka “Last Will” or “Will”. The Will does many important things such as it allows you to name your personal representative (aka executor), name your beneficiaries, state whether you want to be buried or cremated, and so much more. If you would like to know what are the things you should consider when drafting a Will, read our blog post, Things to Consider When Drafting a Will.
Living Trust
A Living Trust is definitely an estate planning document everyone should consider, especially if they have minor children. A living trust does several important things such as avoid probate and appoint a trustee in case you are unable to manage your property for any reason. But first things first. In order for your property to be properly added to your trust, the title of the asset must be titled in the name of the trust, whether it be a home or a bank account, just to name a couple. All of this is assuming you have already created the trust. If you need more information, please give us a call at 813-897-0295.
Durable Power of Attorney
A Durable Power of Attorney aka Financial Power of Attorney is a powerful document. It is a legal document that essentially gives someone else the authority to transact on your behalf. For example, if you are unable to close on a house, sell your car, write a personal check, or sign a contract, you would sign one of these documents, so that someone else can legally handle the matter on your behalf without you being present. If you would like to know more about a Durable Power of Attorney, please read our blog post, Florida Power of Attorney: A Powerful Legal Document.
Health Care Surrogate
A Health Care Surrogate aka Medical Power of Attorney is another important and powerful document in estate planning. It is essentially the same as a Durable Power of Attorney, but specifically for health care decisions. For example, if you were unable to speak to a doctor, a specialist, or some other medical professional about your health care needs for any reason, you are able to legally give permission to someone else to have those HIPAA protected conversations without you being present. The person you appoint can request a copy of your medical records, obtain a second opinion, and order a medical procedure on your behalf without a problem. If you would like more information, please read our blog post, How to Choose a Health Care Surrogate.
Living Will
A Living Will is basically your end of life declaration. It’s your declaration of how you wish to die with respect and dignity, and that your life will not be prolonged by artificial means, in the event that your medical situation becomes dire and medical professionals determine that no medical procedure will suffice.
I don't have an estate plan and don't know where to start. What do I do?
If you need more information about estate planning, please give us a call at 813-897-0295 in order to schedule your free consultation. Operators are available 24/7. Hablamos Espanol.
