Wills and Trusts Preparation

Preparing Your Estate in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Your family is your legacy—but your hard work is, too.  When you prepare a will or trust with The Kelley Law Firm, you are ensuring that the legacy of your family and your hard work is protected for the future. 

Our attorneys focus solely on estate planning, so that we may work as proficiently as possible in this complex area of law.  When you prepare wills and trusts with us, you can rest assured that your assets are protected under Florida law and your loved ones will benefit from the organization of your estate. 

Should You Prepare a Will or a Trust?

The State of Florida defines a will for residents:

A will is a legal document setting out who will be beneficiaries of your estate, how and when they receive their inheritance. Any person who is 18 years of age or older and who is of sound mind may make a will. If you do not have a will, the state determines who, if anyone, is entitled to receive your estate after your death.

A will is the simplest of estate documents, then—it’s the one about which most people understand at least the basics. 
Without a will, you have no say over where your assets go after you die, so everyone should have one. 

Trusts are considered will alternatives.  They are written as living, or inter vivos, trusts or testamentary trusts. 

• Living trusts are effective for beneficiaries during the life of the person who designates the trust, i.e., your heirs may enjoy your assets while you are alive in whatever part you decide under conditions you decide. 
  • You may declare your living trust revocable if you want the option to take back your property.
• Testamentary trusts are created under the umbrella of the will and do not affect beneficiaries until your death, because they are attached to the will that is effective upon your death. 

For many Floridians, trusts are attractive, because there are estate-tax advantages in certain instances and the possibility of avoiding probate administration. 

Call 1 954-563-1400 to prepare wills and trusts in Fort Lauderdale.