Pasco County, FL Wills & Trusts Lawyer

Wills and trusts are among two of the most important estate planning documents, and though both are important to have, they are very different documents. That said, a seasoned Pasco County, FL wills & trusts lawyer from The Law Offices of Matthew. J. Jowanna, P.A. can help you get a better understanding of both of these documents and how they can work together to preserve your legacy.

Wills & Trusts Lawyer | Here to Help You Craft a Well-Rounded Estate Plan

If you’re looking to draft a will or a trust to preserve your legacy, you are in the right place. Simply speak with a knowledgeable and highly-skilled Pasco County, FL estate planning lawyer from our legal team today.

What Does a Will Do?

In many ways, a will is the cornerstone of any estate plan. The person who writes the will is known as a testator, and the people who receive the testator’s assets upon their passing are known as beneficiaries. Additionally, the testator will appoint one person to distribute their assets appropriately among beneficiaries and ensure their will is carried out according to their wishes–this person is known as the executor. Just some of the main reasons a person should create a will during their lifetime are as follows:

To ensure assets and property are properly distributed. If you don’t write a will, state law will determine who gets your assets, which may not align with your wishes.
To appoint guardians for minor children, should something happen to you and/or your spouse before your children can care for themselves.
To name an executor to manage your estate after your passing.
To minimize the potential for family disputes over the distribution of assets.
To properly transfer ownership of your business upon your passing.
To make certain charitable donations after your passing.
To ensure your final wishes are honored, such as whether you’d like to be buried or cremated.
To avoid probate. If you die intestate, meaning you die without writing a will, your assets will have to go through the probate process, which can cost your family time and money.
To give you peace of mind. Ultimately, having a well-rounded estate plan in place can give you peace of mind, knowing all of your affairs will be settled according to your wishes upon your passing.

What is the Purpose of a Trust?

A trust is another important estate planning document. Essentially, in a trust, a third party, known as a trustee, will hold certain assets on behalf of a beneficiary. The person who appoints the third party (the person who creates the trust) is known as the grantor. There are several benefits of creating a trust. Just some of those benefits are as follows:

Creating a trust can bypass the probate process and minimize taxes on your estate.
A trust can also protect assets from creditors, lawsuits, or other legal claims.
Trusts can be used to ensure certain assets get to relatives with special needs, all while allowing them to retain the government benefits they regularly receive.
Trusts can allow a third party to manage assets on behalf of a minor child until they are of age to responsibly handle those assets on their own.

Contact a Wesley Chapel Estate Planning Lawyer

The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna has extensive experience guiding clients through the estate planning process. If you need a lawyer who can help you draft a will or a trust, simply contact us today so we can begin guiding you through the process.