What is a Will, and why do I need one? Can a Trust really protect my assets from the government? How can I assure I’m well cared for in old age? Answering these questions is the goal of my estate planning practice.

LIFE CARE PLANNING

Many of my clients will say to me – “My case is very simple: I don’t have many assets, and I just want them split evenly among my children after I die.”
In my opinion, this attitude puts the cart before the horse. My greatest concern as an attorney is ensuring that my clients receive the best care possible while they are still alive.
According to Florida law, only the “owner” of property may make decisions about how the property is used. If a person does not make the proper arrangements in advance, such as trusts, living wills, and power of attorneys, it may become difficult and expensive to care for him when he becomes sick.
I help clients craft workable elder care plans with the goal of preserving clients’ dignity while protecting their finances from the vultures – whether sticky-fingered caregivers, greedy family members, or the immense expense of the guardianship courts.

WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATES

“… And Suzie gets the polished sterling silverware, while Johnny gets my collection of Canadian postage stamps…”
We spend our lives accumulating money and stuff. This part is not a problem – indeed, I certainly hope that you will have the good fortune of acquiring as much as you can! The dilemma is that you “can’t take it with you,” and you may leave a mess behind without adequate planning.
The advantages of engaging in estate planning are legion. By planning ahead, you can ensure that your loved ones are left with a tax efficient, easy-to-administer estate designed to minimize conflict and maximize results.