FAQs for Wills and Probate Attorneys
Whatever your past experience with Florida probate and/or estate planning, anyone and everyone can benefit from an initial consultation with a wills and probate attorney. Making the most of an initial consultation requires active participation, and a back and forth conversation so your attorney can better assess your situation and advise on your unique needs.
Here are a few common questions that can help you start to think about what you want to get out of a consultation with a wills & probate attorney.
What is the Right Estate Plan for Me?
You probably won’t know exactly the kind of estate plan that is best for you right at first – and that’s okay. Estate planning is complex, and part of the attorney’s job is to understand the minutia of your case in order to help advise you on potential solutions that are right for you in your specific situation. Estate planning is about much more than just deciding what happens to your property or assets after you are gone. Trusts and various other mechanisms can act as valuable asset protection tools. Many estates are complex and involve diverse assets, outside businesses, and various investments.
What Documents are Included in an Estate Plan?
An estate plan will involve various forms, and depending on the mechanisms you choose you will need to execute different documents. An experienced wills & probate attorney will be able to advise on the various estate planning documents and what the various documents will accomplish for you and your loved ones.
How Long Does It Take to Build an Estate Plan?
The length of time it will take to build an estate plan will vary depending on the complexity of your estate and your ability to provide documents and respond to questions. In an official consultation an experienced attorney will be able to discuss your own case in more specific detail and help advise on what you can do to help the timing fit your own priorities.
What is Probate?
Probate is the court-supervised process of executing the terms of a last will and testament, settling estate debts, and otherwise closing out the estate of the deceased. This involves many different duties and, unfortunately, mistakes can be costly in terms of both money and time it takes to distribute inheritances to the intended heirs and beneficiaries.
What is Probate Litigation?
Generally speaking, probate litigation refers to contested legal actions pertaining to the execution of a person’s will, trust, or estate. Experienced wills & probate attorneys can help you with any probate litigation issue which may occur. And more than that, attorneys can help you to understand what issues are likely to lead to probate litigation and help you avoid potential pitfalls.
Contact Suncoast Civil Law
Every journey starts with the first step. It can be overwhelming to think of building up something new, particularly if you are not sure where to start. But that is where our legal experience and expertise can come in and support you. If you would like to talk with a Sarasota wills & probate lawyer about creating or updating your estate plan, or if you need help with a Florida probate matter, call Suncoast Civil Law in Sarasota today.
Sources:
help.flcourts.gov/Other-Resources/Probate
kiplinger.com/retirement/empowering-widows-goals-for-financial-security