Estate Planning Attorney in Ormond Beach & Palm Coast, FL
Estate Planning Law Firm to Help You Protect the People You Love
At Selis Law Firm, we ensure our clients have a superior estate planning experience. Our approach is different; rather than rushing you through the process with cookie-cutter solutions, we create estate plans to ensure your wishes are honored and goals are reached.
Your Goals are Our Goals.
To craft an estate plan reflecting your wishes and the needs of your loved ones, we take all the time needed to understand your goals and develop legal solutions. Every family, couple, and individual we represent is unique. Your family dynamics and the scope of your assets are critical issues in estate planning. While some may require a trust to avoid probate of their home, other clients have many assets, including rental properties, vacation properties, stock accounts, valuable jewelry, art, vehicles, and business interests in the U.S.A. Our estate planning attorney has the skills to provide legal services for simple and complex estate plans with experience and skill.
Our Scope of Practice: Your Resource for Advanced Estate Planning
Estate Planning for Blended Families
Estate planning for blended families can have complex dynamics, such as parents with children from a prior relationship. Without careful planning, unintended outcomes or unnecessary disputes could arise. We help families with estate plans that honor the current commitments while protecting children of earlier marriages or relationships. Our strategies can be critical for those in secondary marriages who have stepchildren, shared assets, and other issues. The goal is to ensure your wishes are legally enforceable and everyone you care about is treated fairly.
Long-Term Care Planning
As healthcare needs grow with age, preparing for long-term care is essential. Nursing homes and assisted living can be costly, and relying solely on savings may jeopardize financial stability or severely limit the assets you could pass on to your loved ones. We help Florida seniors and families develop a comprehensive plan that addresses future care needs, protects income and assets, and provides a pathway to quality care, whether at home or in a facility, without sacrificing independence or security.
Medicaid
Medicaid can provide crucial financial assistance for long-term care, but qualifying under Florida’s strict guidelines demands careful planning. Our firm helps restructure your assets legally, navigate the issue of income limits, and time all applications to meet Medicaid eligibility standards. Whether you’re planning early or are in a healthcare crisis, our legal strategies are geared to preserve your home’s value and savings while gaining access to vital Medicaid benefits for nursing or in-home care.
Veteran’s Aide & Attendant Care Benefits
Many veterans and their surviving spouses qualify for benefits to help pay for elder care, including assisted living and in-home services. Unfortunately, these programs can be underused due to confusion or uncertainty about eligibility or documentation requirements. We guide clients in applying for VA Aide and Attendance benefits, ensuring you receive the financial benefits you’ve earned through your service.
Probate
Probate is the court process to validate a will, settle debts, and distribute assets after an individual dies. In Florida, probate can be time-consuming and expensive without proper planning. We offer trusted probate administration services to ease the burden on families and ensure everything is done correctly, from court filings to asset distribution, so that you can focus on other vital issues, confident that the process is in the hands of an experienced probate lawyer.
Trusts
Trusts are versatile tools created to help manage and transfer assets as you wish. You may want to avoid probate, provide for a loved one with special needs, or craft long-term financial safeguards. We customize trust solutions to match your situation. Trusts can offer greater privacy, control, and asset protection during your lifetime and ensure your wishes are carried out after you pass on, usually with fewer delays or complications.
Irrevocable Trusts
Irrevocable trusts are powerful planning tools to help you qualify for Medicaid. Once established, these trusts cannot be amended or revoked, but you retain the right to make important changes, such as changing Trustees and who gets what after you die. Such a trust can potentially shield you from the losses associated with long-term care and allow for the option to protect your legacy for the people you love. We help clients use irrevocable trusts strategically to safeguard their financial legacy and provide support for future generations.
Revocable Living Trusts
A revocable living trust is a flexible estate planning tool that allows you to maintain control over your assets while alive and ensures a smooth transition when you pass. You can revise or revoke your trust at any time, and it can be a very dynamic planning tool. Most importantly, assets in the trust can bypass probate, allowing your family to avoid delays while keeping your financial affairs private.
Wills
A will outlines how your assets should be distributed and who will care for your minor children if you pass away. Without a will, Florida’s intestacy laws determine who inherits your estate, which may not align with your wishes. It will mean the court will decide who will care for your minor children, which may not be what you would choose for them. We help you draft a legally valid will that brings clarity, prevents disputes, and offers you true peace of mind.
Compassionate and Skilled Estate Planning Lawyer in Ormond Beach, FL
Selis Law Firm has years of experience as an Estate Planning Attorney in Ormond Beach and Palm Coast, FL. Estate planning is a strategic approach to managing your assets and determining how they will be distributed while you are incapacitated and after your passing. Its importance cannot be overstated, as it helps minimize potential conflicts among heirs and ensure your wishes are respected. For individuals and families, estate planning means maintaining control over their future. It involves deciding about property distribution, healthcare directives, and guardianship for minor children. Ultimately, it provides a roadmap for your loved ones to follow, ensuring your legacy is preserved in the manner you intended.
What Is an Estate Planning Attorney?
An estate planning attorney is your trusted guide through the complex legal landscape of estate management. These professionals specialize in trust and estate administration, ensuring your plan is legally sound and tailored to your needs. From drafting wills and trusts to addressing tax implications, an estate planning attorney handles various tasks to secure your estate. They work closely with you to understand your goals, identify potential challenges, and create a comprehensive plan that meets your expectations. Selis Law Firm ensures that your estate plan complies with all applicable laws and regulations and provides peace of mind that your estate is in capable hands.
How Our Trust Attorney Helps You Navigate the Legal Process
Estate planning involves several key steps, each designed to address different aspects of your financial and personal life. Our trust attorney understands how to create a solid estate plan for a traditional or blended family. This process ensures that every detail is considered and appropriately documented, from asset protection to healthcare directives. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Inventory Your Assets
List all assets, including property, investments, and personal belongings. This inventory will form the foundation of your estate plan and help you determine how to allocate your wealth.
Define Your Goals
Consider what you hope to achieve with your estate plan. Having clear objectives will guide your planning decisions. But not all people know what goals they can reach with a properly organized estate plan. Here are just a few of the goals you can reach:
1. Protect Your Assets from Going to the Surviving Spouse’s new romantic partner;
2. Make sure that the Surviving Spouse cannot change who gets what on the deceased spouse’s side of the family after the surviving spouse passes;
3. Make sure that a spendthrift child will have the funds that they need for retirement;
4. Protect their children from losing their inheritance to a divorcing spouse or a lawsuit;
5. Make sure that the inheritance stays in the family bloodline by directing your child to leave their inheritance to your grandchildren or other descendants when they pass;
6. AND MORE…
Choose Beneficiaries
Decide who will inherit your assets. Be sure to consider contingencies, such as the passing of a primary beneficiary.
Appoint Representatives
Select individuals who will carry out your estate plan, such as executors, trustees, and someone who manages your healthcare decisions if you are incapacitated. Choose people you trust to act in your best interest.
Draft Legal Documents
Work with your attorney to create essential documents like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. These legal instruments formalize your intentions and provide clear instructions for your representatives.
Review and Update Regularly
Life changes, and so should your estate plan. Review your documents regularly to ensure they reflect your current situation and goals.
What Can an Estate Planning Attorney Do for Me?
Our estate planning attorneys offer a wide range of services to address various aspects of estate management. These services protect your assets, minimize taxes, and respect your wishes.
Our attorneys can help with any of the following:
- Will Creation: Attorneys draft wills to outline the distribution of your assets and appoint guardians for minor children. A well-drafted will is the backbone of your estate plan, providing clear instructions for your heirs.
- Trust Formation: Trusts allow you to manage your assets during your lifetime and control their distribution after your passing. Attorneys help establish various types of trusts, such as revocable, irrevocable, and special needs trusts.
- Power of Attorney: This document grants someone the authority to decide on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Attorneys help you choose the right person for this role and ensure the document complies with legal requirements.
How Can a Trusts and Estates Attorney Secure My Future?
Working with a trust and estates attorney offers numerous benefits during estate planning. These legal professionals provide valuable insights and guidance, ensuring your plan is thorough and legally sound.
Working with an estate attorney offers the following benefits.
- Expertise and Experience: Attorneys are extensively knowledgeable about estate planning laws and regulations. Their experience enables them to anticipate potential challenges and craft solutions tailored to their clients’ needs.
- Customized Solutions: Estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all process. Attorneys work closely with you to understand your circumstances and develop a plan that meets your goals.
- Legal Compliance: Estate planning involves intricate legal requirements. Attorneys ensure your plan adheres to all relevant laws, minimizing the risk of disputes and challenges.
Our Estate Lawyers Provide Expert Guidance and Legal Support
Our firm wants to take care of your needs. Our services safeguard your legacy and provide you and your family with peace of mind. We are here to help you create a comprehensive plan tailored to your needs. Our experienced attorneys offer personalized estate planning services, including wills, trusts, and asset protection. Ensure your wishes are respected, and your loved ones are provided for. Contact us for a consultation today.
Your Local Attorney for Elder Law
Providing Peace of Mind for Families as They Prepare for the Future