Do you want a straightforward Florida estate plan that protects your family from court and taxes? Contact Wesley Chapel will and trust lawyer Myrna Serrano Setty.
For most folks in Florida, preparing a will is all about determining what you leave behind for those you love. But few realize that it is also about how you leave it behind, and how much hassle and cost you pass on to your loved ones in the process.
Whether you have a fortune to pass on, nothing but debts, or anything in between, the manner in which you organize your succession is significant to how it will impact those you leave it to. Your will, trust, and any other estate planning documents you put in place determine whether the experience will be smooth and efficient, or costly and mired in court conflicts.
Fortunately, this does not mean your estate plan will have to be elaborate or complicated. For the vast majority of Wesley Chapel families, a simple set of key documents will be enough, as long as they are correctly prepared with the help of an experienced estate planning lawyer like Myrna Serrano Setty.
If you have no estate plan at all in place, you are effectively surrendering your property to the state and letting it decide what to do with it. This means you have no control over who will receive your wealth or property, and may lose a significant chunk of it to taxes and the probate process.
To avoid such a fate, and make things easier and less expensive for those you leave behind, you only need a few key estate planning documents and tools.
Sometimes, one or more trusts will also be required for particular circumstances, like a special needs relative or if you want to avoid probate entirely for your loved ones.
Each of these estate planning documents, however, can be set up with an attorney, like Myrna Serrano Setty in Wesley Chapel, often with nothing more than one or two meetings. Below you can find the simple process used to help you create your will, the cornerstone of most plans, and all some families will ever need.
Creating your will might seem daunting, but with the help of an experienced lawyer, it can be relatively painless and quite straightforward. With just a few simple steps, attorney Myrna Serrano Setty will help you prepare a will that minimizes the tax and probate burden on your family and significantly reduces the chances that they will find themselves embroiled in a courtroom conflict after your death.
To reduce these potential burdens, an attorney will:
In your first meeting, you will discuss two main topics: what you have to leave behind and who you want to leave it to. A quick review of your assets and how they are currently held and need to be passed on is vital to building a will that will avoid, rather than create, conflict.
For example, your attorney will ensure that no properties or assets are left out of the will that need to be included and that there is no conflict between how a will says an asset should be passed on and any beneficiary designations that might already be made for it.
Minor mistakes and errors in a will can sometimes lead to conflict or a slower and more costly probate process. By having an attorney draft your will, you dramatically reduce the chances that anyone will be able to challenge it. They will avoid any vagueness, inconsistencies, or oversights that might lead to a more difficult and expensive probate.
A second meeting also allows you the chance to review and check through your will and any other estate planning documents to see how you feel about them, share them with any loved ones you need to, or reflect on your choices. Should you need to change your mind, your attorney will be able to make all the necessary changes before you sign and make it official.
Old or outdated wills can also significantly contribute to conflict during probate. As a result, it is important to update your will regularly with the help of a skilled attorney to ensure that any life or financial changes are included.
For example, if you have remarried, you might want to take steps to protect your biological children, and if you have purchased a new home since drafting your first will, it should be updated to include the new property. An attorney can help you do so regularly, or after significant life events, often with nothing more than an email, phone call, or brief visit.
Myrna Serrano Setty, PA | Helping Pasco County And Tampa Area Residents Find Peace Of Mind
If you put off drafting a will or planning your estate for too long, you dramatically increase the chances of leaving behind bitterness along with any property or belongings you pass on. Your estate plan does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be carefully put together with the help of an experienced lawyer if you want to keep your estate out of the hands of the state and court, or avoid it being fought over after your death.
In Wesley Chapel, a quick phone call to (813) 686-7175 or a visit to our website is all you need to set up a consultation to discuss your current estate plan and begin the process of creating a simple, clear, and effective plan that will protect your loved ones and provide you with the peace of mind you deserve.
(By Appointment Only)
15310 Amberly Drive
Suite 250
Tampa, FL 33647
Phone: (813) 686-7175
Fax: (813) 501-1405
Business Hours are 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Myrna Serrano Setty, P.A.
PO Box 145
Lutz, FL 33548
Phone: (813) 686-7175
Business Hours are 9:00AM to 4:00PM
