Estate planning in The Villages can allow you to make sure your loved ones will be provided for in the event of an unexpected event. Estate planning can be an important step for you to take at any age, especially as you grow older here in Florida.
You can get legal assistance with all aspects of estate planning. The Villages estate planning lawyers at Bogin, Munns & Munns can review your unique circumstances to help you make an estate plan. Secure assistance by calling (407) 578-9696.
Review Estate Planning Options With a Legal Team
Estate planning in The Villages can be very complicated. Your estate plan should meet your specific needs. You may want to focus on a variety of complicated legal activities with the help of an estate planning lawyer. A lawyer can help you:
- Plan for the use of Medicaid
- Draft your will
- Plan your retirement
- Create a trust
- Develop an estate plan
Here at Bogin, Munns & Munns, we understand that you may need some or all of the above services. You can select the estate planning services you want to pursue in order to increase your peace of mind regarding the future. Ensuring you have an effective estate plan that meets all of your needs is our goal.
Estate Planning Documents Available in The Villages
There are a number of specific legal documents associated with estate planning. You may need to complete some or all of the following documents, depending upon what you want out of your estate plan. The team at Bogin, Munns & Munns may be able to help you complete a:
- Living will: a living will includes information about how you want your medical needs handled in an emergency situation. It can allow you to clearly state your wishes for a health care plan in situations where you are unable to make your wishes known. An example is given under Florida Statute §765.303.
- Health care surrogate: a health care surrogate form, per Florida Statute §765.202, allows you to designate another person to make decisions about your health care. You may use this form in conjunction with a living will.
- Durable power of attorney: your durable power of attorney, per Florida Statute Chapter 709, allows you to give someone else the ability to handle your assets. Note that this document only grants someone else control over your assets if you are incapacitated.
- Will: you can decide how you would like to distribute your assets to your beneficiaries with a will, as shown under Florida Statute §732.502. You can also select an individual to handle the distribution of assets in your will.
- Trust: you may decide to create a trust as a straightforward way to ensure your beneficiaries get the assets you want them to have. In many cases, a trust can increase the efficiency of the distribution of your resources, as explained under Florida Statute Chapter 736.
- Guardianship: you may wish to set up a guardianship if you have minor children, which is described under Florida Statute Chapter 744. In the event of an unforeseen circumstance, a guardianship can allow you to rest easy, knowing you have selected someone to care for your children.
The Villages estate planning lawyers at Bogin, Munns & Munns may be able to help you complete any of the paperwork you need to ensure your future is in order. Reach out to the team right now by calling (407) 578-9696.
Estate Planning for Your Financial Affairs and Medical Care
Estate planning in The Villages can help you determine how you would like your assets divided. However, it can also allow you to provide guidance on how you would like your financial affairs handled if you are incapacitated.
You can complete a durable power of attorney to allow someone else to take care of your financial affairs in the event that you cannot manage them on your own. A durable power of attorney may allow a designated individual to:
- Purchase or sell real estate for you
- Write checks for you
- Take care of your tax returns
You should be aware that these are only a few of the financial responsibilities granted to an individual through a durable power of attorney. You can also select someone to be your health care surrogate through estate planning.
Your health care surrogate can make choices about your medical treatment if you are incapacitated. They should obey your wishes about life-sustaining treatments in The Villages. Some people feel more comfortable setting up a living will. Decisions regarding your health care choices can remain in your hands with a living will.
Estate Planning and Probate Court in The Villages
Many individuals in The Villages focus on estate planning to control their finances in the event of their death. Completing estate planning with a lawyer may ensure your assets reach the individuals you select.
Note that if you do not complete estate planning by drafting a will or setting up a revocable living trust, your estate may end up in probate court. From the Florida Courts website, the probate court system can then assess your assets and any possible debts associated with your estate.
Florida’s probate court system often takes a significant amount of time to assess an estate. Until the court process is completed, your beneficiaries cannot receive any of your assets. Additionally, the court may use your assets to pay different debts against your estate.
Finally, there are a number of fees associated with the probate court system. Your assets may pay court fees instead of ending up in the hands of your loved ones. The Villages estate planning lawyers from Bogin, Munns & Munns can assist you in preventing this from occurring.
Contact an Estate Planning Lawyer in The Villages Now
You can get legal assistance on your side from The Villages estate planning lawyers from Bogin, Munns & Munns. You can reach a member of our team easily by calling (407) 578-9696 to get a free consultation.