Full-Service Estate Planning Lawyers in St. Augustine

We Help You Make a Plan for the Future of Your Health and Estate

It’s rare to hear people talking about estate planning. Some consider it morbid because it infers eventual death. Others assume they’ll have more time to deal with it later, so they don’t have to think about it until then.

We’re here to tell you that taking the right legal moves can actually help you feel at ease. You will be assured your family is taken care of, no matter what happens. With the help of an attorney, you can also take certain steps to help preserve your estate for your loved ones.

Have you been thinking about updating your will? Speak to our helpful team today so you can be confident you’re making the right choice. Call us at (904) 674-8779 if you want to benefit from over 125 years of combined experience.

What Choices Do I Have?

When planning your estate, a will isn’t the only option. In fact, depending on your situation, you may be better served by another tool. Our attorneys can walk you through the pros and cons of choices including:

• Wills
• Living Wills
• Trusts

Documenting your choices denies the state an opportunity to make important moves that affect your estate. Probate may still be a difficult and lengthy process, but by planning ahead, you can ensure your wishes are executed in short order.

Surrogates and Representatives

Aside from choosing someone to manage your estate, you may want to appoint people to step in for you should you be incapacitated. This includes:

• Power of Attorney: Someone to oversee your estate if you are unable to do so.
• Health Care Surrogate: Someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so.
• Guardian: Someone to care for your children if you are unable to do so.

Having these points settled can remove uncertainty about your future. When you make these decisions, you empower those around you by telling them clearly what you want.

Making Medical Decisions

A health care surrogate may be able to make medical decisions on your behalf should they need to, but you can also request certain conditions of care right now. A living will addresses your medical needs and allows you to lay out a health care plan for your loved ones to follow. You may also want to put together a plan for Medicaid, which can be difficult to obtain on short notice. An attorney can help you make financial decisions to preserve your estate should you need intense medical care.

The Sooner You Take Action, the More Choice You Have

Estate planning includes making decisions that will be triggered by future events, just as the phrase suggests. The sooner you start this process, the better your plans can be. Many legal and financial processes take time to complete, and those who keep putting off an attorney visit may not have the time they need to decide and enact certain protective measures. Those who unfortunately pass without a will may see their estate divided in a way they would not have wanted—after a long legal process that can be difficult for grieving families to go through.

An estate plan isn’t just one document that specifies how you’d like your assets divided among your heirs. It is an account of your intentions for your future. When you speak with our full-service estate planning attorneys, we can teach you about each aspect you need to consider in this process. With over 125 years of combined experience, we’ll offer advice you can trust to help you meet your goals.

No matter where you are in life, it’s a good idea to look ahead. Come in today for a free estate planning consultation.

Our friendly St. Augustine team is here to guide you through important decisions. Call us at (904) 674-8779 to schedule a meeting.