Estate Planning
Estate planning is an important investment. The plan provides financial security for your family. Many people find estate planning overwhelming or unnecessary. Choosing an alternative guardian for your young children is a perplexing task if you are a parent. It takes serious thought and planning to select the right person to care for your children after you pass. Many young people also believe that estate planning is not necessary because they have no significant assets. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Regardless of wealth, estate planning is important.
There are several legal services that encompass estate planning, including Last Will, Trust, Living Will, Power of Attorney, Healthcare Surrogate, Declaration of Pre-Need Guardian, and Life Estate Deed. Choosing which of these is best suited to your Estate Planning needs can be done with the help of an estate planning lawyer. estate planning documents can be complicated and nuanced to set up properly. Improper planning, or no planning at all, can be very costly to you or your loved ones down the road. It's particularly important to find an estate planning lawyer with experience.
I had another attorney helped me draft my will, but I did not feel as though my needs were properly addressed. I called Joe and he helped me to not only draft a newer and better will, but also to fully understand what I was signing! I trust his work and I am so glad I decided to have him take a second look.
Matt Dzierbun
Mr Martinez is an exceptional lawyer. He is very responsive, attentive and truly caring of his clients. He has always been readily available when I've needed him. I highly recommend him and will continue to depend on him when I need legal assistance!
Eivette Icaza
Joseph Martinez is very knowledgeable in the area of Estate Planning and Wills. He pays attention to details and understands that these documents are unique and need to fit your specific circumstances. Joseph's understanding and compassionate personality helps take away the stress of creating such documents. I highly recommend!
Gary Parkhurst
At mlaw, we make estate planning easy to understand and affordable. We will provide you with an overview of the estate process. We explain the steps necessary to take for estate planning, and the various roles of a guardian, heir, beneficiary, personal representative, and attorney. Assets can be titled jointly or individually. Depending how assets are titled will also determine whether the asset become part of the estate.
Without an estate plan, your loved ones are left to make tough decisions and may face family litigation. Without a will or a trust, some of these decisions are left for the state to decide. Estate planning at mlaw includes discussions involving the financial and medical power of attorneys, living wills, and trusts. We can assist you with the probate process from start to finish.
Why is Estate Planning Important?
The first category of estate planning involves “Advance Directives.” These documents are set up in advance to direct who will handle things for you if you are unable to do so for yourself. These include the Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney, Designation of Healthcare Surrogate, and Declaration of Pre-Need Guardian. An advance directive ensures your right to decide how you want to receive medical treatment in the event you are incapacitated physically or mentally so that you are no longer capable of communicating your wishes to your healthcare provider or loved ones. An advance directive provides the legal instructions in these instances as to how you would like to proceed with your care.
What is an Advance Directive?
The second category of estate planning involves planning for what will happen to your assets after you die. These documents include, for example, the Last Will and Testament, Trust, Living Trust, and Life Estate Deed.
Your assets could include things like real estate, money, accounts, investments, personal property, collectibles, and more. Your directions can include leaving your assets to people, like family and friends, or organizations, such as charities and churches. Of course, for the most part, you can leave your assets to anybody you wish, so long as you make a legal will. An estate planning lawyer will help you in making a will that fits your specific wants and needs
What is a Will?
A trust is an important financial tool to help you manage your assets. There are many varied reasons to set up a trust. Whether it’s to provide for loved ones, donate to a charitable cause, or ensure your heirs use their inheritance wisely, a trust will protect your interests and ensure your assets are managed in accordance with your wishes. Trust assets can typically pass to your beneficiaries without having to go through the court process called “probate” when you pass.
There are many types of trusts. The ones most often used for typical estate planning are the Living Trust and Testamentary Trust. Either of these may turn out to be beneficial to you in establishing a Trust. An estate planning trust can be extremely complicated. The right questions have to be asked of you by a living trust attorney to effectively handle your estate planning. We have handled estate planning trusts for many years in St. Petersburg, Tampa, and other surrounding areas. We have the experience and resources available to properly address your estate planning needs.
What is a Trust?
Do you have an estate plan in place? It is important to us that our clients always have a voice when it comes to how their assets are treated and what they want for themselves. Let mlaw help you build your estate plan today, and you can enjoy life more knowing that you are protected, that your family is protected, and that you are prepared for all of life's events.
Plan Today For a Peace of Mind Tomorrow
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