Services Estate Planning

We provide legal assistance on matters of estate planning.

There’s no question about it, estate planning is serious business. One wrong word or one missing signature can change the entire intent of a will or trust. Luckily, you’ve found A.K. Esquire, and we’re here for you.

Estate Lawyers Are Necessary Since State Laws Rule Estate Plans

State laws are very specific about what can and can’t be in a will, trust, or medical or financial power of attorney; who can and can’t serve as a ​personal representative, trustee, health care surrogate or attorney in fact; who can and can’t be a witness to a will, trust, or medical or financial power of attorney; and what formalities must be observed when signing a will, trust, or medical or financial power of attorney.

For example, in Florida, a personal representative must either be related to you by blood or marriage or, if not, then a resident of the state. Time and time again I see wills of Florida residents that designate a friend or attorney from out of state as the personal representative. This non-resident, non-relatives simply can’t serve, and in fact, won’t be allowed to serve, in Florida. Working with a qualified estate planning attorney will help you to avoid this kind of simple and yet costly mistake.

Buyer Must Beware

The old Latin saying, “Caveat Emptor,” or “Buyer Beware,” certainly applies to estate planning. If you think that you’ll be saving a few dollars by using forms found on the internet or in a do-it-yourself book to prepare your estate planning documents, then your family will be in for a rude awakening when they learn that part or all of your will, trust, or medical or financial power of attorney isn’t legally valid or won’t work as you had anticipated. Thousands of dollars will then be spent by your loved ones working with a qualified estate planning attorney after the fact to fix your mistakes.

Estate Lawyers Can Help Sort out Complex Family or Financial Situations Take a look at your life and your assets to see if you fit into one or more of the following categories:

You’re in a second (or later) marriage
You own one or more businesses
You own real estate in more than one state
You have a disabled family member
You have minor children
You have problem children
You don’t have any children
You want to leave some or all of your estate to charity
You have substantial assets in 401(k)s and/or IRAs
You were recently divorced
You recently lost a spouse or other family member
You have a taxable estate for federal and/or state estate tax purposes

If one or more of these situations apply to you, contact A.K. Esquire today!