Lakeland, FL Wills And Trusts Lawyer

You’ve worked hard for your money all your life. The last thing you want to happen after you die is to have all your hard work be for nothing and your hard-earned assets be depleted. Neither do you want to make your loved ones endure the grueling and lengthy probate court process, which is a Florida series of legal procedures that will have to occur if you don’t plan ahead!  The key to avoiding probate is to have a well-thought-out will and trust strategy. This way, you can have your assets pass directly to your loved ones when you pass away, without hassle or confusion. 

Working with a skilled attorney who specializes in will and trust creation is the best way to ensure you have complete and effective documents that will be legally enforceable. Our Lakeland wills and trusts lawyer at Osenton Law, P.A., can help you draft documents personalized to your needs that will preserve your legacy! Call today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.

Do You Need A Will?

Every adult should have a will. The purpose of one is to identify and document your wishes for who will inherit your assets once you are gone. A will can also include who you want to be your child’s guardian if something happens to you while they are still minors, and some types of wills can also clarify your medical wishes if you become incapacitated and can’t make decisions for yourself. 

Do You Need A Trust?

A trust is a tool that can safeguard your assets. A designated trustee of your choosing (who can also be you) will manage the assets in the trust for the benefit of your named beneficiaries both during your lifetime and when you die. Unlike a will, a trust can go into effect immediately or at a time of your choosing; it doesn’t have to wait until your passing or incapacitation.

Several different types of trusts exist, including the following:

• a revocable trust that can be altered at any time
• an irrevocable trust that can’t be altered, but that may provide additional tax benefits
• a special needs trust to help dependents with special needs qualify for government aid
• a charitable trust that benefits charities of your choosing

Our experienced Lakeland wills and trusts lawyer can provide you with an in-depth understanding of each type of trust and how it might apply to your situation. With this knowledge, you can choose the types of trust that will work the best to accomplish your life goals and give you maximum peace of mind!

When Should You Draft A Will Or Trust?

Whether you have children or not, consider yourself wealthy or not, are in good health or not, are nearing retirement or not, making a will and trust is a smart move. Anyone who owns property should have both a will and a trust! Thinking about death can be scary and overwhelming, which causes many people to put this process off for as long as possible (or never take care of it at all). However, doing so gives you more control over your and your family’s future.

You never know how much time you have left or what will happen in the next day, week, or month. There’s never been a better time to get your affairs in order than the present! Many people aren’t aware that if they don’t plan ahead, they risk leaving their families in a difficult legal and financial situation without a clear idea of what they want to happen to their assets.  

If you die without a will in place, your assets will be distributed according to Florida intestate laws and not according to your desires and wishes. If you die without a trust in place, your estate must go to probate court. Probate court is expensive and lengthy, and unnecessarily burdensome for your family during a time where they should be free to focus on grieving. 

Why You Need To Work With Our Lakeland Wills And Trusts Lawyer

Many people are tempted to try to circumvent the costs of hiring an attorney by taking a DIY approach and using templates or legal advice they find online to make their own will and trust. However, if you don’t know much about Florida estate planning laws, this is not advisable; wills and trusts are complex, consequential legal documents that need to be completely legally compliant in order to be effective. If you make any mistakes, your will and trust won’t be valid, and your assets will be treated as if you never had a will or trust to begin with.

For all these reasons, it’s imperative that you hire an attorney who can ensure that you are utilizing the right tools and save you hours of your time. Our lead Lakeland wills and trusts lawyer, Attorney O. Reginald “Reggie” Osenton, has been helping clients with estate planning for over 30 years! He can explain your options and next steps. Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your family and your assets. Call today for a free consultation and learn how our firm can serve you!