A last will and testament is an essential legal document that everyone should have as part of their estate plan. Without a will, you allow Florida law to decide who receives your property after you pass away, who makes your final arrangements, and who administers your estate. Based in Englewood, Florida, the law office of Cameron Loh, ESQ PLLC helps individuals gain the peace of mind that comes from exercising control over their estate matters by putting a valid will in place.

What Does a Will Accomplish?

When you make a will, you accomplish several important tasks relating to your estate. First, you decide who receives your property after you pass away. If you don’t make a will, Florida law determines who benefits from your estate. Under the intestate succession statute, certain relatives receive your property and assets in a priority order established by the law. Loved ones who are not related to you and organizations you care about receive nothing. Other important concerns may also not be addressed. For instance, if you have a pet you want to take care of after you’re gone, the law provides nothing from your estate for that purpose.

You may also explain your final wishes in your will and designate the person who handles the arrangements. If you do not provide that information in a valid legal document, state law determines who can make your final arrangements. That person may be someone you would not choose, and they may not implement your final wishes.

Another important goal that a will accomplishes is designating an executor for your estate, who will have priority under Florida law to receive the court appointment as the personal representative of your estate. If you don’t name an executor in your will, state law and a judge decide who collects your property and assets, administers the estate, and distributes your property.

In addition, if you have a minor child, you may appoint a guardian for the child in your will. The designated guardian takes care of the child if something happens to you. If you do not designate a guardian for a minor child in a valid legal document, a judge will decide who is responsible for their care. The person appointed by the court could be someone you would not want to have responsibility for taking care of your child, and there could be family disputes over guardianship.

Depending on your circumstances, there may also be other important reasons for you to put a will in place. When you count on Cameron Loh to help with your will, we make certain that your will addresses all of your concerns and accomplishes all of the important goals for your estate. From the very beginning of the process, Cameron provides exceptional personal service and determines the best approach for your estate. We also assist with the other documents that are part of an estate plan, including powers of attorney. If you could benefit from including a trust in your plan, Cameron explains what a trust can accomplish and why you may wish to consider one. We always focus on what is the right approach for your individual personal and financial circumstances.

Is a Will the Only Document You Need?

While a will is an important part of an estate plan, having a will does not mean you have an estate plan. A complete plan includes powers of attorney to protect you and your loved ones during your life, in the event you become incapacitated. Some individuals also benefit from including a trust in their estate plan. Whatever your situation is, Cameron makes certain that your estate plan is appropriate for your individual circumstances and that it addresses all of your goals, concerns, and needs for the rest of your life and for your family after you are gone.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer to Make Your Will?

Online services and other resources encourage you to make a will without getting help from a lawyer. The do-it-yourself or DIY approach has substantial risks. In Florida, as in every state, specific legal requirements apply to creating a valid and enforceable will. If you do not get help from an attorney, your will may not be valid in Florida.

Other significant dangers arise from the DIY approach, including the possibility that your will does not accomplish what you think it does, or that your will does not address everything that it should. Don’t make the serious mistake of trying to make your own will. Schedule a free consultation with Cameron Loh to learn how we can help you.

Learn More

If you don’t have a will, or you want to change the provisions of your current will, we welcome you to contact Cameron Loh to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation about making a will or revising an outdated will. We provide exceptional personal service to every client. Our fees for legal services are always reasonable and competitive. In our initial discussion with you, we explain all the details about the fees for the services you wish to consider.