Lady Lake Estate Planning Attorney
We are Proud to Provide Personalized Estate Planning Services in Lady Lake
At Marshall Law, our Lady Lake estate planning lawyer has extensive experience serving clients. We will always invest the time, the resources, and the attention to the small details. Every adult in Florida should have a personalized estate plan that they can truly rely on. If you have any questions or concerns about estate planning, we are here to help. Contact us today to arrange a fully confidential, no obligation initial consultation with a top-tier Lady Lake estate planning lawyer.
You Need a Comprehensive Estate Plan
You need a comprehensive estate plan to protect yourself and your loved ones. A proper plan ensures your property and assets are distributed according to your wishes. It also provides guidance if you become incapacitated, reducing stress and conflict for your family. A will or trust alone may not be enough. Estate planning also involves powers of attorney, health care directives, and beneficiary designations. Without a full plan in place, you could lose control over your own affairs. That means that the State of Florida will decide what happens to your assets or even your medical care. Our Lady Lake, FL estate planning lawyer can help you develop a plan that works.
An Overview of Our Estate Planning Services in Lady Lake, Florida
My name is John Marshall and I founded Marshall law in order to provide personalized representation to people and families in Central Florida, including right here in Lady Lake. We provide a full range of estate planning services to people and families. No matter your specific situation, our team is ready to sit down with you, listen to your story, and explain the options that you have available. We are leaders in estate planning. Along with other matters, our Lady Lake estate planning lawyer has experience with:
Advance Health Directives: Advance health directives allow you to make medical choices in advance. Directives are often also referred to simply as a living will. You can set out your preferences for treatment and appoint a health care surrogate. Doing so ensures your wishes are honored even if you cannot communicate them yourself.
Wills: Your will is the foundation of your estate plan. Every adult in Florida should have a professionally drafted will. A will ensures that your assets pass to the beneficiaries that you actually choose. Our Lady Lake estate planning lawyers draft clear, legally valid wills tailored to your needs.
Trusts: We help clients establish simple or more complex trusts depending on their goals. Trusts can provide probate avoidance, tax efficiency, and asset protection. Our Lady Lake, FL estate planning lawyer handles the full range of trusts in Florida. If you have any questions about trusts, we are more than ready to help.
Power of Attorney (POA): A durable power of attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage your finances. The authority is critical if you become incapacitated or unable to handle your affairs. Our Lady Lake estate planning lawyer will ensure your POA documents meet all of Florida legal requirements.
We Provide a Full Range of Estate Planning Services in Leesburg, Florida
My name is John Marshall and I founded Marshall law with the goal of providing solutions-focused estate planning guidance and support to clients right here in Central Florida. I know the importance of a great estate plan. I can help you with the full range of estate planning matters, including:
- Wills: A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets distributed after your death. It allows you to name beneficiaries, choose an executor, and designate guardians for minor children. Every estate plan should have a will as its foundation.
- Trusts: A trust is an arrangement where a trustee holds and manages property on behalf of beneficiaries according to specific terms. Trusts can help avoid probate, provide for minor or special needs beneficiaries, and manage complex assets. We handle all types of trusts in Leesburg, Florida.
- Power of Attorney: A power of attorney authorizes a trusted individual to handle your legal or financial affairs if you become unable to do so. In Florida, your POA can be tailored to meet your specific needs.
- Living Wills: A living will expresses your medical treatment preferences if you are seriously ill or injured and unable to communicate. You may use this type of estate planning document to address issues such as life support, resuscitation, and other end-of-life decisions.
- Healthcare Directives: A healthcare directive lets you designate someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so. It ensures your wishes regarding treatment, care, and medical interventions are respected and followed.
- Probate Law: In Florida, probate law governs the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. Among other things, probate includes validating a will, paying debts, and distributing remaining assets. We help people plan to avoid probate and to navigate it.
Why Trust Our Lady Lake Estate Planning Attorney
I am John Marshall, a Lady Lake estate planning attorney with a proven record of success. Whether you are putting together an estate plan for the first time or you are ready to make some major changes, it is imperative that you have legal representation that you can rely on. We are a proactive, solutions-focused estate planning firm. When you contact us, you will have an opportunity to consult with a Lady Lake estate planning attorney who can:
- Hear what you have to say and answer questions about your situation;
- Help you gather and organize all of the relevant supporting documentation;
- Handle the estate planning paperwork; and
- Develop a comprehensive strategy focused on protecting your best interests.
Estate Planning Lady Lake: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does it mean to be interstate?
If you do not have a will (or other estate planning documents) in place, you can be declared intestate in Florida. In effect, this means that your estate will be handled under Florida’s intestacy laws. The state will decide who inherits what. You will have no control over the matter. Even if you have preferences, they will not be followed without a legally valid estate plan.
Do I really need an estate plan if I do not have many assets?
Yes. Every adult should have an estate plan. Even people with modest assets benefit from an estate plan. A will or trust ensures your property is distributed as you wish and avoids unnecessary court delays. Remember, without an estate plan, you will lose control.
What is the difference between a will and a trust in Florida?
A will takes effect only after death and generally requires probate. A trust, by contrast, can manage assets during your lifetime and after death, often avoiding probate. Trusts may also provide added privacy and more control over how and when assets are distributed. Wills and trusts should not be thought of as oppositional documents. Quite the contrary, they can work well together and many estate plans contain both wills and trusts.
Why is a power of attorney important in estate planning?
A durable power of attorney allows someone you trust to manage your financial and legal matters if you cannot. Without it, your family may need to petition the court for guardianship. Why is that a problem? The reason is that it can be time-consuming, stressful, and more expensive than preparing the POA in advance. Further, there is a serious risk of a dispute between family/loved ones.
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Testimonials
John is a fabulous family estate planning law attorney to work with. He explained everything to me about the estate plan, first working with my mother for many years, and now me as her representative. He did so in a way that I could understand and was very prompt and clear with communication the entire time. John and Patti display a tremendous amount of empathy and patience in dealing with elderly clients like my mother. Soon I will be utilizing John and Patti's expertise to formulate my own estate plan for my family's future. John and Patti treat you like family and I feel they will forever be a part of our family. Needless to say John Marshall law is highly recommended!
MoreSchedule a Confidential Consultation With Our Lady Lake Estate Planning Lawyer Today
At Marshall Law, our Lady Lake estate planning attorney is standing by, ready to protect your rights and your interests. If you have any questions or concerns about estate planning, we are more than ready to help. Contact us today for a fully confidential, no obligation initial consultation. We provide estate planning services in Lady Lake, Lake County, and throughout Central Florida.
Call us at (352) 432-8859
to schedule a consultation.
We look forward to serving you!