Do I need a will, a trust, or both?

The answer depends on the assets, how they are titled, family circumstances, privacy goals, probate concerns, and the level of ongoing management desired. A consultation should compare the practical role of each option rather than assume one document fits everyone.

What documents may be included in an estate plan?

A plan may include a will, revocable trust, durable power of attorney, designation of health-care surrogate, living will, and related transfer or beneficiary documents. The appropriate set depends on the client’s goals and circumstances.

When should an estate plan be reviewed?

Review may be appropriate after marriage, divorce, births, deaths, a move, a significant asset change, a business transaction, a real estate purchase, changes in intended decision-makers, or changes in law or tax circumstances.

What is involved in Florida probate?

Probate is a court-supervised process for administering certain assets after death. The required steps and form of administration depend on the estate, asset title, governing documents, creditors, beneficiaries, and timing.

Can the firm coordinate estate planning with real estate or corporate work?

Yes. The firm can evaluate how real estate ownership, holding companies, business interests, and estate documents should work together, and can coordinate with the client’s accountant or tax adviser when needed.

Miami wills, trusts, and estates counsel

Estate Planning & Probate

Practical planning for the management and transfer of assets, plus guidance for families and representatives administering a Florida estate.

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Services

Planning and administration services

Wills and revocable trusts
Powers of attorney and health directives
Trust and estate administration
Probate administration
Planning for U.S. property and foreign-national families

Understand the matter

A plan should reflect the client’s real priorities

Estate planning begins with the people, assets, responsibilities, and decisions that matter to the client. The resulting plan may use a will, trust, beneficiary planning, powers of attorney, health-care documents, or a coordinated combination based on the circumstances.

Planning for incapacity is part of planning for the future

Durable powers of attorney, health-care surrogate designations, living wills, and related directives can identify who may act and what guidance should apply if the client cannot make or communicate decisions. These documents should work together with the broader estate plan.

Probate and trust administration require organized follow-through

After a death, families and fiduciaries may need to identify assets, understand governing documents, satisfy notices and expenses, coordinate required filings, and transfer property. The correct process depends on the estate, title to assets, beneficiaries, and applicable Florida procedures.

Property ownership and estate planning should be coordinated

Real estate is often one of a family’s most significant assets. The firm’s real estate and estate-planning experience allows ownership, homestead, trust funding, probate exposure, and eventual transfer questions to be considered together, with accountants or tax advisers involved when appropriate.

How to move forward

A plan built around your circumstances

01
Inventory and goals
Identify family relationships, assets, existing documents, decision-makers, concerns, and intended outcomes.
02
Design and explain
Select an appropriate document and ownership structure, then explain how each part is intended to work.
03
Execute and maintain
Complete formal signing, coordinate funding or title work, and review the plan after significant changes.

Frequently asked questions