estate planning

A well-designed estate plan can provide for and protect your family, distribute your assets in accordance with your wishes and give you peace of mind.  Estate plans are also designed to protect you in the event you become incapacitated.

The Law Office of Ellen A. Barnett, P.L. handles all aspects of estate planning including:

    - Creation of wills and trusts
    - Planning to minimize estate tax
    - Planning for second marriage situations
    - Planning for a life partner
    - Dealing with Florida Homestead issues
    - Trust and estate administration
    - Living Wills
    - Designations of Health Care Surrogate
    - Designations of a pre-need guardian for yourself and children
    - Durable Powers of Attorney
    - And many others

What you can expect

Our estate planning process begins with your completion of our Estate Planning Questionnaire, which provides pertinent information regarding your family background and financial situation.  With this information, along with a review of any existing estate planning documents that you may have, we prepare an analysis for you detailing what would happen to your minor children, if any, and to your assets if either you, your spouse, or both of you were to die in the immediate future.  If you are unhappy with your current estate plan, we will work with you to make the necessary changes to suit your needs. 

Through candid and confidential discussions, we learn about you, your goals and values, and how you would like to provide for your family.  Only then can we create an estate plan that is tailored to meet your needs and achieve your goals.  This estate plan can include a will, basic legal documents such as a power of attorney or health care directive, a trust, or other legal vehicles.

We recommend a review of your estate plan every 3-5 years since family and financial situations can change over time.  In addition, we recommend a review of your estate plan sooner if you experience a life-changing event, such as the birth of a child, a divorce, the death of a family member, or a sudden and significant change in your financial status.

For a free initial consultation with the Law Office of Ellen A. Barnett, P.L. call (800) 517-5210 or (954) 960-6880, or complete our "Contact Us" page.