St. Petersburg Wills Attorney
A will is a basic component of most estate plans. With this document, our clients take control of what will happen to their estate when they die, as well as who is tasked with defending the estate in probate. Drafting a will might sound easy, but one mistake could throw an entire estate plan in disarray. To ensure you create a solid will, call Fisher & Wilsey, P.A. to speak with our office. A St. Petersburg wills attorney is ready to review your goals and then draft a will and possibly other estate plan documents.
What You Can Accomplish with a Will
If someone dies without a will, then the probate process will play out without regard for your wishes. Florida law determines who inherits from you, and the court will probably pick your personal representative. Our clients can take control with a will to decide:
- Guardianship of minor children. The guardians will raise your children if the biological parents pass.
- Personal representative. This person handles estate administration and pays your creditors, files taxes, and distributes assets. You want to name someone who is responsible and ethical.
- Estate distribution. You can use a will to determine who will inherit your estate. Some clients use a trust instead.
Wills in Florida must be drafted and executed according to state law. Any deviation can result in a judge refusing to accept the will, defeating the purpose of creating this document in the first place. Make sure you work with an experienced law firm to ensure the will withstands challenge or judicial scrutiny. Once you are gone, it is too late to fix any errors with a will, so it is best to create it the right way the first time.
What You Can’t Do with a Will
Although wills are an important part of most estate plans, there are certain things you cannot do with a will. For example, you cannot completely cut out your spouse from a will. Florida gives spouses a right to an elective share without regard to language in the will.
A will cannot help your estate avoid probate or keep your assets private. Probate is a public process in Florida, and other people can find out details about what you owned.
You also cannot leave assets or income to a pet in a will. Instead, you need to create a trust for that purpose, or else you should make a lifetime gift of money.
Contact an experienced attorney if these are important considerations for you. We might recommend supplementing a will with a trust or other estate planning documents to ensure you have covered all bases.
Speak with a Wills Attorney Today
Sitting down and creating an estate plan might sound like a headache. Many people do not want to even think about death, so they push off the estate planning process until suddenly it’s too late.
Secure your future today by calling our office to speak with a St. Petersburg wills attorney. We have created hundreds of wills over the years and can provide detailed advice about what estate documents you need.
