Estate Planning

FORT LAUDERDALE ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEYS HELPING YOU PREPARE

An estate plan is essential at every stage of your life. Your estate plan provides you with the opportunity to distribute your property, establish care for your children and otherwise express your wishes upon your death. A valid estate plan is necessary if you intend to leave property to a blood relative, a domestic partner, friend or charity. If you die without an estate plan, the state determines how your property is distributed and who cares for your children — decisions that might not reflect your desires. Loving Scully Law Group, PLLC can draft a valid estate plan that ensures your intentions are honored. 

Changing your will

As your life changes, so might your estate plan. You may need to update your will throughout your life. We draft valid codicils that address changes in your financial situation, marital status, numbers of children, philanthropic interests, and general lifestyle decisions. 

Appointment of guardians for minor children

If you have minor children, your will allows you to make decisions about their future care, especially crucial if you are a single parent or if both parents die in a common incident. If you do not name a guardian, the court will appoint a guardian for your children and can make decisions adverse to your ultimate parenting goals. You can also make arrangements for your pets’ care in your will, including naming a guardian who will take responsibility for your pets. 

Probate administration

We have extensive knowledge about the Florida probate court to guide you through the complex process of probating a will. We assist executors in all steps of the process, including: 

  • Creating a plan of action to probate the estate fairly and expeditiously
  • Filing the will with the Florida probate court
  • Closing and opening bank accounts
  • Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
  • Evaluating the estate
  • Managing and liquidating assets as appropriate
  • Paying taxes and other debts
  • Locating beneficiaries
  • Hiring professionals and experts when necessary

Creating the best estate plan

We advise you on the best approach to your estate planning. We thoroughly analyze your estate and strategize the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, supporting personal philanthropic causes, and protecting your loved ones. We possess in-depth knowledge about all aspects of trusts and estate issues, including:

  • Estate planning
  • Estate tax issues
  • Personal Representative’s duties
  • Guardianship
  • Living wills
  • Revocable Trusts
  • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Limited Partnerships
  • Powers of attorney
  • Wealth preservation
  • Family business successions
  • Retirement planning
  • Probate
  • Trust Administration
  • Will and Trust drafting and execution
  • Limited Liability companies

Trusts

We help people create trusts to ensure that their assets are properly managed and held for the future use of their family members or designated beneficiaries. The assets held by a trust can be used to pay for necessary medical, educational and health-related expenses for the trust’s beneficiaries. Because a trust is designed to exist for a certain period of time, the courts require that a trustee is chosen to administer and be responsible for the management of the trust. Trusts may be included in your will or as a separate legal entity. Sometimes trusts are used to avoid the probate process or to minimize estate and income taxes. 

Contact the estate planning lawyers at Loving Scully PLLC

Loving Scully PLLC serves clients throughout the South Florida area. Call us at 954.764.1005 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation about your estate planning needs.