Bradenton Wills & Probate Lawyer

Estate planning is an area of law that people agree is important, yet according to AARP, only four out of every 10 American adults have a will or living trust. Some people may feel that they do not have enough assets to warrant estate planning, while others simply haven’t put aside the time to talk to an experienced will and probate attorney. Regardless of your wealth or age, taking time to plan your estate is important because it will relieve the burden on those you leave behind should you suddenly die and ensure your dependents are properly cared for. At Suncoast Civil Law our Bradenton wills and probate lawyers sit with each client and have a conversation about their family, life circumstances, and needs before drafting any will, trusts, or related documents. Our lawyers also handle probate administration and litigation for families.

What are Wills & Trusts?

Depending on an individual’s assets and goals, there are various types of wills and trusts that our attorney may recommend. We may even suggest other estate planning documents such as durable power of attorney or a health care surrogate designation, for scenarios where you become mentally incapacitated or cannot make your own health care choices. By taking the time to sit and talk with you, our attorneys at Suncoast Civil Law can learn what estate planning options are right for your goals. Estate planning is not just about what happens to your home, but it can protect your valuable assets, sentimental assets, business assets, and more. Our attorneys will help guide you through what the best option is for you. For example, wills are generally less expensive and less complex than trusts, but they can be challenged after you pass away. Meanwhile, trusts give you more control over how your assets are distributed.

Probate

Probate is the official proving of a will in court, and is necessary for almost all wills. Before any of the assets within a will can be passed down to beneficiaries, debts and taxes must be paid from the estate. This and other aspects of probate administration are complicated and time consuming, which is why an attorney is necessary to ensure that probate is successful and as low stress as possible. In fact, one study found that it take an average of 16 months to settle an estate, which comes at a time during grieving and remembrance. As such, it is easy for a family member, who is usually appointed as the executor, to make mistakes. While most wills pass through probate without a hitch, there are sometimes problems that arise, and executors of the will find themselves in trouble, either with creditors or beneficiaries. Whether you foresee disputes arising or not, however, an attorney will help streamline the probate process.

Call Suncoast Civil Law For Help Planning Your Estate

Do not delay in creating a plan for your estate. Call the knowledgeable attorneys at Suncoast Civil Law to learn how we can help you create a will, living trust, or other estate documents to protect you and your assets. We are also available to handle Florida probate matters. Call us at 941-366-1800 for a free consultation today.