Many people think that estate planning is only for rich seniors reaching the end of their lives. This could not be any farther from the truth. Everyone––rich, poor, young, and old––has an estate. If something happens to you, do you know who will get custody of your children?
Do you have a power of attorney in the event of an incapacitating event? If you are unsure of the answers to these questions, then consider working with a Clermont estate planning lawyer.
Bogin, Munns & Munns has been helping people get their affairs in order since 1979. Whether you need help with writing a will, assigning power of attorney, or creating your end-of-life plans, our team is here for you. To start learning about your options, call us.
Our Law Firm Can Help You with Various Aspects of Your Estate
When you pass away or are unable to make certain decisions, you want your family to have an easy time managing your affairs. Bogin, Munns & Munns understands the importance of having your priorities straight. A Clermont estate planning lawyer can help you:
Write Your Last Will and Testament
Your last will and testament will outline parts of your estate. This could include the distribution of property, money, and personal effects, such as jewelry. It can also designate a representative to handle your affairs.
While making your will, you may be unsure of what property you actually own. Your estate planning lawyer can answer any questions that you may have. We can also make sure that you understand the monetary value of each property so that you can make informed decisions regarding who should receive what.
Designate Durable Power of Attorney
In the event that you become incapacitated due to an accident or illness, do you know who will manage your affairs? The person who manages your affairs is known as your “agent.” Your agent will need to be someone who will put your wishes above their own.
A power of attorney could give your agent the ability to:
- Sell and distribute certain assets
- File your tax returns
- Sign checks
- Manage your financial assets, like stocks
- Deposit Social Security checks
A power of attorney can also give your agent the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf. Your agent can have as much or as little power as you want.
Create a Living Will
By having a living will in place, you can outline instructions about what your family should do in regard to your end-of-life wishes. For instance, you may not want to continue being on life support if you end up in a vegetative state. You may not want to receive certain medical treatments if they will not prolong your life.
A living will can serve a multitude of purposes, namely preventing intrafamilial disputes. You do not want your passing to be complicated by debates over what is best for you. You reasonably want your family to carry out your wishes without any issues.
Authorizing Medical Privacy Waivers
Typically, your medical records are confidential and are only accessible to you and your healthcare providers, per Florida Statute § 456.057. However, in some circumstances, you may want another party to be able to view them. For instance, you may want your medical records to be released to your lawyer if you were injured in an accident.
By giving your lawyer permission to view your medical records, they can advance your legal goals. You can also give your agent authority to view your medical records and make decisions in the future.
Make Custodial Arrangements
Nobody wants to think about who will take care of their children after they pass away or get sick. However, by making custodial arrangements in advance, you can secure your children’s future. This will also prevent any custodial disputes from arising.
Bogin, Munns & Munns can help you with other obligations than those listed above. We encourage you to call our Florida law firm today to learn more about the services we provide.
To consult with an experienced estate planning lawyer serving Clermont
(855) 780-9986
Having Your Affairs in Order Prevents Probate Court Disputes
As noted, having your affairs in order could prevent any disputes after your passing. For instance, if you do not have a will, your family will need to handle the case in probate court. In this situation, the presiding judge may make decisions that you may not have agreed with. It might also cause unnecessary strife within your family.
Bogin, Munns & Munns can help you examine your assets and create a course of action based on your wishes. By having certain aspects of your estate in writing, you can minimize any legal complications in the event of your incapacitation or passing.
A Clermont Estate Planning Lawyer Can Help You
When you call our team today, we can go into more detail about how a lawyer from our firm can help you with your estate planning-related duties. Whether you need help writing a will or designating power of attorney, our practice stands ready to assist you.
We do not only help people in Clermont. We have 13 offices for your convenience throughout the central Florida area, including Cocoa, Daytona, Gainesville, Kissimmee, Leesburg, Melbourne, Ocala, Orange City, Orlando, St. Cloud, Titusville, and The Villages.
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