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Pasco County, FL Estate Planning Lawyer

Everyone should have an estate plan in place, regardless of their age or financial standing. By creating a plan for the future, you can get peace of mind today, knowing your assets and medical needs will be handled according to your wishes when the time comes. The attorneys here at The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A. have decades of combined experience guiding clients through a wide range of estate planning matters, and we are prepared to put that experience to work for you. If you need a Pasco County, FL estate planning lawyer you can depend on, simply contact our firm today.

Do I Need an Estate Planning Lawyer?

Estate planning is the process of setting forth how you would like your last wishes to be accomplished. Estate planning typically utilizes documents, such as wills and trusts, to eliminate uncertainties in the administration of a probated estate and to maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. Whether you have few or substantial assets, your last will and testament will distribute your assets according to your wishes.

Additionally, you can designate a guardian for minor children and beneficiaries who are incapacitated. You may also specify final arrangements, such as whether to be buried or cremated. More sophisticated estate plans may even cover deferring or decreasing estate taxes and dissolution of business interests. This type of advanced planning can help to reduce the anxiety and stress of your loved ones during their time of grief.

In addition to a last will and testament, you may also want to consider executing an advance directive. Many people do not think they need to worry about an advance directive until it’s too late. By the time they realize the importance of these documents, they either cannot adequately communicate their wishes or lack the competency to do so. Advance directives allow your loved ones to care for you if you are ever sick or incapacitated and may eliminate the need for costly, court-supervised guardianship.

All of these documents should not be crafted without the assistance of a skilled estate planning lawyer in your corner. Even one small error can have drastic and significant impacts, so don’t run the risk of proceeding without an attorney you can depend on. Our seasoned legal team is here to help. Reach out to us so we can get started working on your case today.

Important Elements of Estate Planning

Last Will & Testament

A Will is your directions to the court on how your property should be distributed upon your death. If you do not execute a will, Florida has legislation in place that dictates who will receive your assets. Executing a will allows you to control who receives your assets after your death. Be prepared. Plan today.

Revocable Trusts

A revocable trust is a useful tool in avoiding probate and helping to avoid the necessity of a guardianship in the event of your incapacity. Revocable trusts (sometimes referred to as living trusts) work by transferring all of your assets into the trust, thereby avoiding the necessity of probate in the event of your death.

In addition to maintaining control of your assets during your lifetime, a living trust allows you to appoint a successor to act on your behalf in the event you are determined to be incapacitated. A living trust also sets forth your directions for the distribution of your assets upon your death. We can help you determine if a revocable trust would meet your estate planning needs.

Living Will

A living will allows you to choose whether you wish to have your life artificially prolonged in the event you have a terminal condition, an end-stage condition or are in a persistent vegetative state. A living will should not be confused with a last will and testament, which appoints a personal representative for the distribution of property after death. We can advise and help you through making these types of decisions.

Healthcare Surrogate Designation

Probably the single most important document you can have is a healthcare surrogate designation. This document allows you to appoint an individual to be authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to make your own medical decisions. Let us help prepare yours.

What is HIPAA?

HIPAA is the Federal Privacy Act that restricts the ability of healthcare professionals to discuss an individual’s medical care and/or condition with anyone other than the individual being treated. By executing a HIPAA Release, you authorize the release of medical information to individuals you have chosen.

Probate & Estate Administration

Just as we have helped countless clients craft estate plans that best suit their needs, we also have extensive experience guiding clients through the probate and estate administration processes. If your loved one has recently passed away and you’ve been appointed the executor of their estate, you have a lot to consider. Don’t go through the process without a dedicated Pasco County, FL probate lawyer in your corner.

Ultimately, no matter what estate-related issue you are currently facing, it is always best to only proceed with a knowledgeable attorney in your corner. An attorney can help you save time, protect your assets, reduce stress, minimize costs, protect your rights, and, in many cases, avoid the probate process. Without a lawyer, you leave your estate in jeopardy. Our job is to give you certainty.

Contact a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer Today

The bottom line is that if you need a lawyer who can help guide you through any estate-related matter, you are in the right place. The legal team here at The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna has years of experience handling estate issues on behalf of our clients, and we’re ready to help you, too. Contact an estate planning lawyer from our firm today so we can help you get the peace of mind you deserve.

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