Jacksonville and First Coast Estate Planning Lawyers

Experienced estate planning consultants

At Grady Williams Attorneys, we want you and your family to feel completely secure. We have extensive experience in estate planning, and we guide you through the complex options to help you find the simple solutions that fit your needs.

Basic estate planning recommendations

After many years of practicing law, our lawyers have developed a clear sense of the minimum requirements for an adequately prepared estate. Our recommendations for additional choices create a truly secure estate plan.

Will

A properly executed will is the basic building block of estate planning. However, there can be many complications when your will goes through probate—the court-supervised transfer of your assets to your beneficiaries. Please allow us to counsel you on what probate scenarios you will most likely face under your current estate plan, and what can be done to improve your planning position in a cost-effective manner.

Durable power of attorney

Florida law allows you to grant another trusted person great authority to act on your behalf through a durable power of attorney. It is highly advisable for any adult to have us draw up this document as an inexpensive substitute for a possible Guardianship.

Healthcare surrogate designation

Your healthcare surrogate is the person you appoint to make medical decisions in case you are unable to do so. Federal legislation called HIPAA restricts heath care providers from sharing your medical information with family members. We make sure that your healthcare surrogate designation contains a HIPAA release, to provide maximum information and authority to your surrogates.

Living will

A living will, also called an advance health care directive, is a legal document written to guarantee that your medical wishes are carried out when you are unable to communicate them. Without a living will, the most difficult and important decisions of your life can be left entirely to medical professionals—or to family members who are unsure of your wishes.

Revocable living trusts

The greatest advantage of a using a revocable trust or living trust is that your estate can avoid probate. While living, the donor maintains complete control and may amend, revoke, or terminate the trust at any time. In a trust that terminates with the death of the donor, any property in the trust passes immediately to the beneficiaries.

Statement disposing of tangible personal property

This document describes what should be done with any personal items that you did not specifically discuss in your will. The statement is very helpful in preventing a squabble among your grieving heirs over who can lay claim to your unspecified sentimental items.

Pre-need guardian designation

You may designate a person, bank, or trust company to act as guardian of your person and property if you become incapacitated. If you do not designate a guardian, a court might do so if it is deemed necessary. Take control of your affairs in advance by deciding who you would trust to be your guardian.

Pre-need guardian designation for minors

We strongly recommend that all parents name a guardian for their minor children by filing a pre-need declaration of guardian for minor. Then you know exactly who will be taking care of your children if you are gone, because you have made the choice yourself and made it legally binding.

Plan your estate with confidence

Grady Williams Attorneys will show you the way, removing the stress and worry from your thoughts about estate planning. You and your family will be at ease as you move forward through the best years of your life. To get started with your future planning, please contact us.