Put Your Wishes in Writing. Give Your Family a Plan.

Shield Legal Group’s Family Will Plans start at $1,495. The final flat fee depends on the agreed scope and complexity and is provided before representation begins.

Florida law does not necessarily require an attorney simply to create a valid will. However, an attorney can advise on legal requirements, planning options, document coordination, and how your particular circumstances may affect the plan. Whether attorney involvement is appropriate depends on your situation.

Generally, a will in Florida must meet certain legal requirements including being in writing, signed by the person making the will, and witnessed in accordance with applicable law. Specific requirements can vary, and legal advice is recommended for your particular circumstances.

Parents can use their will to express a preference or nomination concerning guardianship of minor children. However, guardianship is ultimately determined by the court based on applicable Florida law and the best interests of the child. A will allows you to express your wishes but does not guarantee a particular guardianship outcome.

No. A will does not itself avoid probate. A will generally directs how probate assets should be distributed and may nominate a personal representative, but the will is typically administered through the probate process. Certain planning tools, such as trusts or beneficiary designations, may help some assets pass outside of probate, depending on how they are owned and titled.

If you die without a valid will, Florida’s intestacy laws generally determine how your probate assets are distributed. The specific distribution depends on your family situation, surviving relatives, and the nature of your assets. Having a will allows you to make those decisions yourself rather than relying on default rules.

Not necessarily. Assets with valid beneficiary designations, such as life insurance and retirement accounts, generally pass according to those designations rather than solely under the will. Coordinating beneficiary designations with your overall estate plan is an important consideration. The specific outcome depends on your particular circumstances.

A will generally takes effect at death and typically passes through probate. A revocable living trust is created during your lifetime, can provide for management of assets during incapacity, and may allow assets to pass outside of probate if properly funded. The appropriate tool depends on your family, assets, goals, and circumstances.

Yes, each spouse generally needs their own will. Even when spouses have similar wishes, each person should have their own estate-planning documents reflecting their individual decisions, assets, and beneficiaries.

Parents of minor children may benefit from having wills to express preferences regarding guardianship, nominate a personal representative, and address how assets intended for children should be handled. The appropriate planning depends on the particular family circumstances.

Yes. If you already have a will, Shield Legal Group can review your existing documents, assess whether they still reflect your current wishes and circumstances, and prepare updates if appropriate. The scope of any review or update depends on the particular documents and your current situation.

No. A will and a power of attorney are separate legal documents. A will generally addresses matters at death, while a durable power of attorney authorizes someone to act on your behalf during your lifetime if you become unable to do so. A coordinated estate plan may include both, along with healthcare documents.

Yes. Florida real estate, including homestead property, can be addressed in your estate plan. However, Florida homestead law and real estate ownership can involve specific rules and limitations that may require careful analysis. How your home should be coordinated with your estate plan depends on your particular circumstances.