Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning & Administration

Don’t Wait, Avoid Probate

One of the primary benefits of estate planning is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your last wishes will be carried out according to your specifications, not the States.  It also allows you to know that your loved ones will be relieved of the responsibility of making crucial decisions at a time when they are least able to make those kinds of determinations.

Ashley Hunt specializes in helping form a proper estate plan for his clients.  He believes that at a minimum everyone should have a Will, Living Will, Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, and Preneed Guardian.  Taking as little as an hour to meet with Ashley Hunt now to discuss your wishes could save your decedents time, money and headaches in the future.  Avoiding probate is something that is simple, but is something that many do not take the time to do.  Please contact us today to schedule a consultation to update or create your personalized Estate Plan before it is too late.  Although it is hard to accept, Ben Franklin was right when he said…

“but in the world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.”

Let us help you plan for death and minimize your taxes upon death.  Ashley Hunt is experienced in Estate Planning and  he is one of only a few in the area with an advanced law degree specializing in taxation.  He has a Masters in Tax Law from the University of Florida.

Below are descriptions of common estate planning documents.

Will – A Will is a written, legal document that provides details and instructions for the disposition of a decedent’s (dead person’s) property. This can be used to explain how property is to be allocated and who would be responsible for carrying out your wishes.  Do You Have a Will?  pamphlet provided by the Florida Bar

Trust – A Trust is a type of legal entity which is used to hold legal title to property (usually the decedent’s) for the benefit of one or more persons. This is commonly used in conjunction with a will, so that real or personal property is properly distributed after your passing.  The Revocable Trust In Florida pamphlet provided by the Florida Bar

Living Will – Also called a Directive to Physicians, this document will direct your medical care in the event you become incapacitated or are unable to communicate your wishes to your health care providers.

Durable Power of Attorney – This document designates specific people to handle certain tasks on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This can be applied to health care, to designate specific people to administer care or to serve as implied consent; or to property, so that designated people can handle your affairs on your behalf.  Florida Powers of Attorney pamphlet provided by the Florida Bar

Health Care Surrogate – This document designates a specific person to make healthcare decisions for you when you become unable to make them for yourself.  Commonly, a doctor will say that you lack the capacity to make healthcare decisions.  He or she may also say that you are incapacitated.  This document makes sure that the right person has control of your healthcare decisions so that your wishes can be followed.

Preneed Guardian – A Preneed Guardian is a document that defines your preferred choice for a guardian should one be needed in the future.  Once you are deemed incapacitated, the court will not make its decision based on your preference if it was not previously expressed.

*This website is designed for general information only.  The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney/client relationship.