A good estate plan answers three questions before your family has to: who receives what, who speaks for you if you can’t, and how much of this can stay out of court. I build clear, Florida‑ specific plans for families across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami‑Dade — whether you need a straightforward will or a full trust‑based plan that avoids probate.
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Putting a plan in place is simpler than most people expect. Here’s how it goes.
Planning for the future is one of the most meaningful things you can do for the people you love — and it shouldn’t feel intimidating. Because every situation is unique, we determine fees on a case-by-case basis, tailored to the documents and level of planning that fit your life. We’ll talk through your goals together and give you a clear, honest quote upfront, so there are no surprises along the way.
Estate planning is almost always flat‑fee work, so you know the cost before we begin. The right package depends on how much probate avoidance and protection you want.
A solid foundation for families with straightforward estates.
Keeps your estate private and out of probate.
It comes down to your goals. A will is simpler and less expensive, but assets passing under it still go through probate — a public, court‑supervised process that takes months. A funded revocable living trust avoids probate entirely, keeps your affairs private, and gets assets to your family faster. For many Florida homeowners and families with assets beyond the small‑ estate range, a trust is worth the added cost. I'll give you a straight answer for your situation.
Florida's intestate succession statutes (Sections 732.101–732.111) decide who inherits, in fixed shares the law sets — which may not match what you'd want. The court appoints someone to administer the estate, unmarried partners and stepchildren typically receive nothing, and everything becomes public record. A plan replaces those defaults with your own choices.
Not always — Florida homestead has special protections. Under Article X, Section 4 of the state Constitution, if you're married or have minor children, the law restricts how you can leave your primary residence. Planning around those rules (often with a lady bird deed or trust) is one of the most important Florida‑specific pieces of an estate plan, and one I pay close attention to.
It's an enhanced life‑estate deed unique to a handful of states, Florida among them. It lets your homestead pass automatically to named beneficiaries when you die — skipping probate — while you keep complete control during your lifetime, including the right to sell, mortgage, or revoke it. It also preserves your homestead tax exemption. For many homeowners it's a low‑cost way to avoid probate on the home.
Review it after any major life event — marriage or divorce, a birth or death in the family, a move to or from Florida, a significant change in assets, or a falling‑out with someone you named. Even without a triggering event, a check‑in every few years keeps everything current with your wishes and the law.
Often it's valid, but "valid" and "optimal" aren't the same thing. Florida has its own homestead rules, spousal rights, and document formalities, and an out‑of‑state plan may not account for them — or may name fiduciaries and tools that don't fit Florida practice. If you've moved here, it's worth a review to make sure your plan does what you think it does under Florida law.
The best time to set up an estate plan is before it’s needed. Start with a free, no‑obligation consultation and I’ll help you protect your family and your wishes.
