Do You Need A Lawyer To Draft A Will In Florida?
All adults in Florida should have a last will and testament to ensure that their final wishes are respected. You are not required to work with a lawyer to prepare a will. However, the help of an attorney is invaluable when creating these legal documents. Below, our St. Petersburg wills lawyer outlines a few reasons why you should consider getting legal help when drafting your will.
Minimize Time in Probate While Saving Money
There are many legal requirements for a will to be valid. For example, you must have two witnesses sign the document and if you want a self-proving will, you must also have the document notarized. Wills also need to include certain language that can avoid challenges by family members.
Additionally, your will must go through the probate process in order to confirm that it is valid. Even a simplified version of probate will involve court hearings and attorney meetings, which are all stressful for family members during their time of grief. Probate is also an expensive process that can reduce your overall estate, and prevent your assets from being distributed to your heirs in a timely manner.
Ensure Children are Cared For
It is particularly important to work with an attorney when drafting your will if you have minor children. If you do not have a will when you pass away, state law will dictate how your property is distributed and who will care for your children. If you have a child with special needs, you must take extra care when drafting your will. Having a will properly drafted by an attorney will ensure that your children are cared for in the way you wish, and that you can leave property to them you want them to have.
Ensure Long-Term Care for Your Spouse
If your spouse requires long-term care before you pass away, it is important to include certain provisions for them in your will. A lawyer can help you create a trust for your property that will ensure a long-term care facility does not receive your spouse’s entire inheritance. Assisted living and nursing home care is costly and many people rely on programs such as Medicaid to pay for it. Only people with limited resources are eligible for Medicaid. If you leave all of your property to your spouse when you pass away, it can put their government benefits at risk. A lawyer can ensure this does not happen.
Our Wills Attorney in St. Petersburg Can Help with Your Estate Plan
The above are just a few reasons why you should always work with a St. Petersburg wills attorney when drafting these important documents. At Legacy Protection Lawyers, LLP, our knowledgeable attorneys can help you draft your will and any other component you need in your estate plan. We will ensure your will meets the legal requirements and is valid so your final wishes are fulfilled. Call us today at 727-471-5868 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get more information.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0732/0732.html
