Lady Lake Wills & Trusts Attorney
We Can Help You With Wills and Trusts in Lady Lake
At Marshall Law, our Lady Lake wills and trusts attorney is a reliable, solutions-focused advocate for people and families. We can help you put together the customized will or trust that is best suited for your specific situation. Our firm has decades of estate planning experience in Florida. If you have any specific questions about wills or trusts, we are here to help. Contact our Lady Lake attorney today to arrange your completely confidential, no obligation initial consultation.
An Estate Plan Should Be Comprehensive (Often Includes Wills and Trusts)
My name is John Marshall and I founded Marshall law with a goal of helping people and families effectively navigate the estate planning process in Florida. An estate plan should be comprehensive in order to truly protect you and your family. A last will and testament is generally a foundational document in an estate plan. Virtually every estate plan includes a will. Beyond that, many people and families in Central Florida can benefit from setting up a trust or even multiple trusts. A will directs how your assets are distributed and allows you to name guardians for minor children. A trust can help avoid probate, protect assets during your lifetime, and provide other advantages.
We Help Clients With Wills
Our Lady Lake estate planning lawyer can help you with all aspects of your will. We help clients with wills in Florida by providing clear, customized guidance every step of the way. A will is one of the most important estate planning tools because it directs how your property will be distributed after your death. Remember, without a valid will, Florida’s intestacy laws decide who inherits your estate. Of course, that may not match your wishes. Our Lady Lake, FL estate planning lawyer will take the time to understand your priorities and draft a will that truly reflects them. We have experience with both simple wills and highly complex customized wills.
We Handle All Types of Trusts
A trust can be one of the most effective, efficient estate planning tools. They allow you to manage and protect your assets during your lifetime and ensure they are transferred smoothly to beneficiaries. Our Lady Lake estate planning attorney handles all types of trusts. Some of the most common trusts in Florida include:
- Revocable Living Trust: A revocable living trust is a flexible trust that allows you to manage and amend assets during your lifetime while avoiding probate at death.
- Irrevocable Trust: Irrevocable trusts are permanent trusts that provide asset protection, potential tax benefits, and long-term stability.
- Special Needs Trust: A special needs trust is a trust designed to provide for a disabled beneficiary without jeopardizing government benefits.
- Charitable Trust: A trust established to benefit charitable organizations while potentially reducing estate taxes.
How Our Lady Lake Wills and Trusts Attorney Can Help
I am John Marshall, a Lady Lake estate planning attorney with extensive experience handling wills and trusts. I know the importance of helping my clients put together a comprehensive, customized plan that best protects their interests and achieves their goals. We always take a proactive approach to estate planning. When you reach out to our law office, you will have an opportunity to consult with a Lady Lake wills and trusts attorney who can:
- Listen to what you have to say and answer your estate planning questions;
- Help you gather and prepare all supporting documents and records;
- Draft the right will or trust for your specific situation; and
- Develop a comprehensive estate planning strategy focused on achieving your goals.
Wills and Trusts in Lady Lake: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do wills have to be notarized in Florida?
No, a will does not have to be notarized to be valid in Florida. However, it must be signed by the testator and two witnesses. A notarized “self-proving affidavit” can be attached. With that being said, there are some benefits to getting your will notarized. It can make probate faster and simpler.
Can I change my will after it is signed?
Yes, absolutely you can change your will at any time as long as you have legal capacity. In other words, as long as you are of sound mind, you can still change your will. Updates are usually made through a codicil. Though, with major changes, it may be better to draft a new will entirely.
What happens if I move to Florida with a will from another state?
In many cases, an out-of-state will can still be valid in Florida if it meets your former state’s requirements. However, some provisions may conflict with Florida law, such as rules about personal representatives. If you are moving to Lady Lake from another state, it is best to have your will reviewed by an experienced local attorney.
Do I still need a will if I have trust?
Yes, most people still need a simple “pour-over will.” It is a type of will that transfers any assets not already in the trust into it at death. It also allows you to name guardians for minor children, which is something a trust alone cannot do.
Can a trust help avoid probate in Florida?
Yes. In fact, one of the main advantages of a revocable living trust is probate avoidance. Assets properly transferred into the trust can be distributed directly to beneficiaries. Why does it matter? It saves time, reduces costs, and helps maintain privacy.
Can I change or revoke a trust once it is created?
It depends. If it is a revocable trust, you may amend or revoke it at any time while you are competent. An irrevocable trust, however, generally cannot be changed once established. Choosing the right type of trust depends on your goals and circumstances. Our Lady Lake estate planning lawyer can help you put the right trust in place.
Client
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!
MoreContact Our Lady Lake Wills and Trusts Lawyer Today
At Marshall Law, our Lady Lake estate planning attorney has extensive experience with wills and trusts. Our team will help you put the best plan in place for your situation. If you have any questions about your will or your trust, we are here to help. Call us now or contact us online to arrange a completely confidential, no obligation initial consultation. We provide estate planning representation to people and families in Lady Lake, Lake County, and all across Central Florida.