Trusted Lakeland Estate Planning Attorney
One of the most important things you can do for your loved ones is plan for your passing. It can be uncomfortable and may require you to think through issues you had not considered. However, with thoughtful and considered guidance, you can create a guiding document that brings your loved ones peace in a stressful and emotional time. At Stephen H. Artman, P.A., our attorney provides a listening ear and wise advocacy.
Our firm is a Florida institution. We have been a trusted law firm since our founding in 1991. Our commitment to excellent service and cutting-edge legal representation is the key to our success. Schedule a time to meet with us and find out more about how we can help you.
Our Polk County Estate Planning Services
Estate planning is not only about what happens after you are gone. The right documents also protect you and your family during your lifetime, particularly if illness or injury leaves you unable to make decisions on your own. Our attorney serves clients in Lakeland and across Polk County on the full range of planning documents including:
- Last Will and Testament: Identifies property beneficiaries and names guardians for minor children.
- Revocable Living Trust: Transfers assets directly to beneficiaries through a trustee, avoiding probate.
- Durable Power of Attorney: Authorizes a trusted person to manage your finances if you become incapacitated.
- Healthcare Surrogate Designation: Names someone to make medical decisions on your behalf when you cannot.
- Living Will: Documents your medical treatment preferences for end-of-life care.
Our attorney will sit down with you, go through your situation and put together a plan that fits your family and your goals.
Florida Estate Planning FAQ
The following covers what our Lakeland clients ask most often before their first appointment.
What is probate, and how can it be avoided?
When someone dies in Florida, their estate typically goes through probate before anything reaches their heirs. Probate is a court process that confirms the validity of a will and oversees the distribution of assets, and it can run for months while fees and costs accumulate. Several planning tools can keep property from entering probate at all. A revocable living trust transfers assets directly to beneficiaries through the trustee after death. Payable-on-death designations on bank accounts let a named beneficiary claim the funds without court involvement. For real estate, a Lady Bird deed allows the property to pass to a named recipient while the owner retains full control during their lifetime.
What happens to your assets if you die without a will in Florida?
Without a will, Florida’s intestate succession statutes control what happens to your property. A surviving spouse takes everything when all of your children are also that spouse’s children. When your spouse has children from a prior relationship, your estate is divided equally between your spouse and your own descendants. If there is no surviving spouse, your children split the estate in equal shares. The court has no authority to consider what you would have wanted, and an unmarried partner receives nothing regardless of how long you were together.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review your estate plan every three to five years at minimum. Beyond that, any major life event warrants an immediate update: a marriage, a divorce, the birth of a child, a death in the family, or a meaningful change in your assets or financial situation.
Is it necessary to hire an attorney for estate planning in Florida?
Florida law does not require one, but a will that is not properly signed and witnessed can be declared invalid. Trusts that are not properly funded do not avoid probate. An attorney ensures every document is correctly executed and that your assets are titled to match your plan.
Plan For The Future Today
Create a wise and well-considered estate plan. Our lawyer at Stephen H. Artman, P.A., creates comprehensive plans for your loved ones and your assets. Call our Lakeland office today at 863-940-0874 or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.