Protect Your Legacy with the Help of an Experienced Florida Estate Planning Lawyer

When you make the wise decision to assemble your estate plan, you prioritize the economic stability and certainty of your family. Creating an estate plan is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your family is protected and that a clear plan is in place in case a problem arises. Darryl Johnston can prepare a customized estate plan for you.

 We Learn About Your Needs During Your Initial Consultation

Our compassionate team will meet with you to determine your estate planning objectives, which may include:

•         Minimizing taxes so that your loved ones receive as much inheritance as possible
•         Protecting the needs of your minor children or a loved one with special needs
•         Planning your estate so that you maximize your retirement investments
•         Planning for eligibility for Medicaid
•         Structuring a trust to manage your assets for your behalf or on behalf of other beneficiaries
•         Avoiding the expensive and contentious process of guardianship or conservatorship
•         Avoiding the probate cost
•         Minimizing the cost to administer your estate
•         Protecting your pets after you pas

During your consultation, we can also answer any questions you have about the process.

 Estate Planning Tools that Can Help You

In Florida, you have a variety of tools that can help you protect your interests and your legacy. As a full-service estate planning firm, we can devise a plan for you that addresses your needs by preparing documents such as:

•         Will – A will is the cornerstone of many estate plans. It describes who will receive your property after you pass and in what proportion, nominates a guardian to care for your minor children, and appoints an executor to carry out your wishes.
•         Trust – A trust provides more detailed instructions on how to pass and manage your assets in the event of incapacitation or death. Trusts can be used to accomplish several objectives, including protecting assets from creditors, losing assets because of a divorce, passing a business interest, planning for Medicaid, providing an inheritance to grandchildren, or any other purposes.
•         Living will – A living will is a medical document that provides specific information about the type of end-of-life treatment you want to receive.
•         Healthcare surrogate – A healthcare surrogate nominates a person to whom you give the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make them for yourself.
•         A durable power of attorney – A durable power of attorney appoints an agent who you give the authority to handle your financial affairs.

Because these documents have significant legal ramifications, you must work closely with a knowledgeable estate planning lawyer who can explain them and give you targeted advice about which documents you need to protect your interests.

 Comprehensive Estate Planning and Administration Services

Darryl Johnston knows that each client’s needs are unique and will work closely with you to develop a customized plan. We can assist you in evaluating plans for your finances and healthcare. For example, if you do not feel comfortable about appointing a durable power of attorney now, you can create the document so that it “springs’ into effect only if you ever become incapacitated. We can also work closely with you to establish plans to administer your trust or estate. We can provide you with legal advice about Medicaid eligibility and give you solid plans to plan for the future while protecting as many of your assets as possible.

Our firm also handles probate and trust administration for executors and loved ones.

 Contact Us to Schedule Your Initial Consultation

Now is the time to begin crafting your estate plan so that your family and your legacy will be protected. We are available to meet with you and discuss your estate planning objectives and how we can address them. Contact Darryl Johnston today to get started on the process.