Estate Planning Attorney Bartow Secure Your Loved Ones’ Future
- Board-certified in two legal specialties
- 30+ years in practice
- Comprehensive estate services
Take Care of Your Family in Your Absence Put Our Lawyers on Your Side
Our Bartow attorneys understand that many people put off estate planning because it can be nerve-racking to think about death. However, putting in the work now can save your family time and money later, and minimize conflict.
Give your loved ones the gift of peace of mind by determining your end-of-life wishes yourself, without placing it on their shoulders. When you’ve passed, they can rest assured that everything has been taken care of and your wishes are being respected. Contact the estate planning lawyers in our historic Bartow legal office at Mann Manor today.
“An attorney of integrity.”
“The Sutton Law Firm is a team comprised of highly knowledgeable, strategic and caring people willing to fight for the safety of your family. Ms. Sutton is an attorney of integrity and grace who is an excellent champion for her clients both in and out of the courtroom… I highly recommend this team!”
Virginia
Finding a Clear Path Forward Outlining Proper Estate Planning
When an individual passes, their estate typically enters probate. During the probate process, the decedent’s will is legally validated, a personal representative is appointed, and the assets are distributed. However, the process can become confusing, drawn out, and costly. Our estate planning attorneys in Bartow, FL, can guide you through the process to save your family time and money, and potentially avoid probate altogether.
With Debra J. Sutton and Matthew J. Kovschak guiding you through the estate planning process, you can:
- Create and enforce valid and thorough estate planning documents
- Put a plan in place to care for your minor children
- Distribute assets like financial accounts, vehicles, intellectual property, heirlooms, and other valuables to your family according to your wishes
- Update and preserve deeds, titles, and business transition plans for your home, business, or other real estate properties
- Transfer out-of-state assets, international assets, part-ownership in businesses, and complex investment portfolios correctly
- Make charitable gifts
- And more
Our Estate Planning Services
A will outlines who will inherit your assets after your death. You don’t need an attorney to draft your will, but an attorney can ensure it’s written properly and clearly details your wishes. Our attorneys can also act as a personal representative or witness when you sign your will.
A living will allows you to detail your wishes for end-of-life care if you become seriously injured, have late-stage dementia, are in a coma, or become otherwise incapacitated and are no longer able to make these decisions for yourself.
A trust grants another person the right to hold and manage your assets on behalf of your beneficiaries. There are different types of trusts, and some can avoid probate entirely or offer tax advantages.
This legally binding arrangement grants someone you trust the ability to make medical, business, and financial decisions on your behalf. This legal document outlines which types of decisions the trusted party can make and is no longer valid after your death.
If you have minor children, you can appoint a guardian in case you die before your children become adults. You can also appoint a guardian for adult children who have special needs. Their guardian will be able to make legal decisions. If you don’t appoint a guardian in your will, the court will appoint one for you.
Estate Planning FAQ
What happens to my estate if I don’t have a will?
If you die without a will, assets that don’t have a surviving beneficiary or co-owner will go to your relatives under our state’s intestate succession laws. If you have a spouse, they’ll inherit everything. If you have no spouse, but children, your children will inherit everything. If you have no spouse or children, your assets will go to your parents. If you have no parents, your assets will go to your siblings.
Who gets my assets if I have no one to leave them to?
If you die without a will and don’t have family, your assets will go to the state. However, this is rare as the laws were designed to give your assets to anyone remotely related to you. If you don’t have a spouse or children, your assets could go to your parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, or the family members of a spouse who died before you.
What should I do once I’ve completed my will?
You can leave your will with our Bartow attorneys or store it in a safe location at home. Review your will periodically to make sure it still reflects your wishes. You should also review it if your family situation changes, such as in the event of a divorce, marriage, birth, death, or adoption. If you wish to make any changes or create a new will, reach out to our Bartow office and we can guide you through the proper procedures.
Can I eliminate a family member from my will?
Yes. If you want to cut someone out of your will, it can help to provide a reason in case they decide to contest your will in court. However, in the state of Florida, you cannot cut your spouse out of your will without a valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Otherwise, elective share laws entitle your spouse to 30% of your estate.
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“This firm has given me a new opinion on lawyers. Ms. Sutton and her team have helped me in ways hard to imagine. Number one lawyer in the continental US. Thank you”
Calvin
