Most people understand the importance of planning for the future. However, creating a comprehensive estate plan is often one thing that’s overlooked. In many cases, this is simply because no one enjoys thinking about dying. However, having the appropriate legal documents in place is important for more than just dealing with our belongings when we’re gone. From writing a will to ensuring your long-term care needs are met, an estate planning lawyer in Tampa can prove invaluable when preparing for any future contingency.
At Decker Legacy Law, LLC, our team of experienced legal professionals can help you create an estate plan that ensures your wishes are met. We will work directly with you — and any family members you may wish to have involved — to ensure the whole process is a simple one. And while we have the experience to handle any complex estate plan — even those dealing with high net worth individuals — we also offer services for more modest estates. If you have any questions or are ready to get started, contact us today for a confidential consultation.
Do You Need An Estate Plan?
People often ask whether they need to bother with estate planning. The simple answer is absolutely. Even if you’re a young individual with no children or spouse, you have assets that will need dispersing if something unexpected happens. In-depth estate planning can also help you make decisions that you might face while you’re still alive — such as ensuring your medical wishes are known, choosing a healthcare surrogate, and selecting a trusted person to handle your financial responsibilities when you no longer can.
Granted, an estate plan for younger people without dependents will typically be much simpler than those created for elderly individuals with a lifetime of assets and loved ones. However, even those who don’t fall into this category should be concerned with asset protection, probate matters, and where their money goes if an unexpected event occurs. If something drastic happens in your life and you never took any estate planning steps, you may have no say in what happens to you or anything you’ve worked for.
At Decker Legacy Law, LLC, we’ll work on your behalf to ensure this doesn’t happen. Contact us today.
What Estate Planning Services Do We Provide?
There are several estate planning decisions that you can make on your own. For instance, you may not need an attorney to help you choose beneficiaries or decide who will make medical decisions on your behalf if you can no longer do so on your own. However, Tampa estate planning lawyers can ensure that all these wishes are documented so that they’re legally binding. At Decker Legacy Law, LLC, we are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in all the following estate plan matters:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Probate
- Elder law
- Power of Attorney
- Medicaid planning
- Special Needs Trusts
- Long-term care planning
- Asset protection
- Business succession planning
This list may seem extensive, but it’s far from exhaustive. Our Tampa estate planning law firm has built a reputation for simplifying the most complex legal issues for our clients. It’s one thing to ensure all your legal needs are taken care of, but we also strive to ensure that you understand exactly what’s going on in the process. We’ll break through all the complex legal terminology so you can rest comfortably knowing that your future is in good hands.
When Is Business Succession Planning Necessary?
Some of the most complex estate planning involves individuals who own businesses. This is due to the many legal issues involved. For instance, who will take over the company if you can no longer run it? Can you leave portions of ownership in irrevocable trusts? Will a co-owner immediately become the sole owner, or can you choose someone to take your place? These are all complicated questions, but they can be answered with proper estate planning.
Your business succession plan can determine a variety of complex matters rather than letting them play out in court. However, keep in mind that many of these decisions may already be laid out in your business documents. Clearly, these are intricate issues — and the right place and time to figure them out is here and now. If you own a business of any type, business succession planning is an integral part of estate planning.
Why Do You Need An Elder Law Legal Professional?
With the availability of do-it-yourself legal websites, folks often ask whether they need a Tampa estate planning attorney at all. Unfortunately, this answer often only comes when they visit our law office after wasting money on boilerplate forms downloaded from unreliable websites. A do-it-yourself approach may be appropriate for simple legal matters, but it can prove disastrous in estate planning. Sadly, this may not become clear until it’s too late.
For instance, did you know that holographic wills (e.g., wills written by hand) are typically invalid in Tampa, FL? Did you know that — in the absence of a valid will — Florida courts are beholden to state law when dividing your assets? This means an estranged family member could be given priority over the people who have been at your side for years.
Everyone needs an attorney with the knowledge to handle their estate planning needs. And while there are plenty of law firms that offer such services, working with elder law professionals is likely in your best interest. They understand the complexities faced by individuals in their later years, and this gives them the knowledge necessary to get the job done right.
Contact Estate Planning Lawyers In Tampa Today
It’s typically impossible to predict the future. However, everyone will face likely and certain circumstances at some point in life. Whether these outcomes are expected or seem to come out of nowhere, it’s essential that you have an estate plan in place to ensure your wishes are accounted for. Far too many people attempt this process on their own — and most find out the hard way that Florida statutes make this more complicated than necessary. In some situations, people even put their trust in documents that aren’t legally valid. Don’t let this happen to you.
At Decker Legacy Law, LLC, you’ll work with a Tampa estate planning attorney who’s knowledgeable in inheritance, elder law, business succession, tax planning, healthcare, and probate matters — among many other legal fields. There’s no need to wonder what will happen to you or your assets when you can no longer make decisions on your own. We have the legal experience to put your mind at ease and ensure your financial, personal, and medical decisions remain your own. Contact us today by calling (813) 437-4465 to schedule your confidential consultation. Our estate planning lawyers in Tampa are ready to help.