Drafting a Valid Will Helps Assure Your Assets are Distributed According to Your Final Wishes
The development of a comprehensive and legally-sound estate plan requires the creation of numerous highly personalized documents to preserve, protect and pass on your legacy. Of these, the Last Will and Testament, commonly referred to as a Will, is probably the best known. Fort Lauderdale Wills Attorney, Gregory W. Kabel, provides the sophisticated legal guidance to create the proper Will and other necessary estate planning documents you and your family need.
What Is The Purpose of a Will?
Your Will addresses the following issues, among others:
- Directs your Assets and Property to your specified Beneficiaries
- Appoints the Personal Representative (Executor) of the Estate
- May be used to Appoint a Guardian for your Minor Children
- Designation of Special Bequests
- May be Used to Create Testamentary Trusts
- Authorizes Payment of Estate Expenses
What Are the Legal Requirements for a Florida Will?
There are minimum legal thresholds that need to be met in order for a Florida Will to be considered valid. It is for these reasons and others that you want to work with a skilled and experienced attorney when creating a Will and all other accompanying estate planning documents. A poorly written, outdated, incomplete or improperly executed Will is commonly the basis for lengthy litigation, depletion of assets and damaging family strife.
- The maker of the Will, also known as the Testator, must be at least 18 years old when the Will is created.
- The Testator must be of sound mind when the Will is written.
- The Will must be in writing, signed at the end by the Testator and two witnesses.
- Then all signatures should be attested to and notarized to avoid future complications with proving the Will to the Probate Court’s satisfaction.
What Happens If I Don’t Create a Will?
Understandably, none of us wants to dwell upon our own mortality, so the creation of a Will is too often avoided until it is too late. If you do not create a Will while you are alive, then the State of Florida, through its laws of intestacy, will decide who your heirs are after your passing.
Since the State doesn’t know you, your loved ones or your wishes, it will follow those intestacy laws and distribute your money and assets accordingly. This can feasibly create the undesirable scenario wherein estranged or distantly related family members you never intended will end up as major beneficiaries of whatever wealth you have spent a lifetime accumulating.
The creation of a detailed and individualized estate plan, including a Will, Trusts, Advance Directives and other tools such as Business Succession Plans when appropriate, are essential tools for assuring your voice is heard and your wishes respected.
Attorney Kabel uses his decades of experience and skill to help clients develop the Wills and estate plans that meet their needs and provide them the legal security they and their loved ones deserve. He can be reached at 954 761 7770 or through this Contact Form
Fort Lauderdale Estate Planning Lawyer, Gregory W. Kabel, welcomes clients in Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Tamarac and throughout Broward County, Palm Beach County and South Florida.