Palm Coast Estate Planning Services for Northeast Florida Residents
Building Your Legacy with Strategic Planning
Estate Planning isn’t just about legal documents—it’s about making your wishes known, protecting your loved ones, and maintaining control over your personal and financial matters. We offer tailored estate planning solutions to the residents of Palm Coast and surrounding areas in Northeast Florida.
By preparing early, you’re not only protecting your assets—you’re preserving peace of mind.
What Does Estate Planning Mean in Florida?
Estate Planning is the thoughtful process of determining how your assets and responsibilities will be handled after death or if you become incapacitated. It includes key legal tools and instructions that clarify your decisions, so your estate is managed according to your preferences.
What Should a Complete Estate Plan Include?
1. Last Will & Testament
Your Will outlines how your belongings and property should be distributed once you pass. It also allows you to name a personal representative to carry out your instructions. Wills are an essential part of probate, guiding the court in honoring your intentions.
2. Trusts
Trusts are legal arrangements where assets are managed by a trustee on behalf of beneficiaries. They offer flexibility, privacy, and potential tax benefits, and can help avoid probate.
Types of Trusts:
Revocable Living Trusts – These are created during your lifetime and can be changed as your needs evolve. You maintain control over the trust and decide how assets are handled.
Irrevocable Trusts – These trusts cannot be changed easily once established, but they may offer stronger protections and tax benefits.
Trusts can be powerful tools to structure your estate plan around your unique financial and family goals.
3. Power of Attorney (POA)
A POA allows someone you trust to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you’re ever unable to do so. It ensures continuity in managing your affairs during emergencies or illness.
4. Naming a Health Care Surrogate
This document lets you name someone to make medical decisions for you if you’re incapacitated. It helps your healthcare team and family follow your wishes and avoid confusion or conflict during difficult times.
5. Living Will
A Living Will states your preferences for life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care. It ensures that your values and beliefs guide medical decisions when you’re unable to express them.
6. HIPPA Releases
This document restricts access to your medical records, requires healthcare providers to safeguard your electronic health information, and gives you the authority to decide how your health information is used and shared.
7. Dementia Provisions
Specifies that if the individual has dementia, Alzheimer’s, or another progressively degenerative neurological condition and reaches a stage where they can no longer communicate effectively and are completely dependent on others for care, they do not want life-sustaining treatments such as feeding tubes or CPR. Instead, they choose comfort care focused on relieving suffering and allowing a natural end-of-life process.
8. Ladybird Deeds
Also known as enhanced life estate deeds, Ladybird Deeds allow you to keep full ownership and control of your property while alive. Upon your passing, the property transfers directly to a named beneficiary—bypassing probate.
Why Customizing Your Estate Plan Matters
Your family, finances, and future are all unique—your estate plan should be too. A tailored estate plan helps ensure that your wishes are followed and that your loved ones are taken care of. As life changes, so should your estate plan—whether it’s due to marriage, children, or other significant events.
Your Estate Planning Partner in Palm Coast
Attorney Heather understands the importance of compassionate and customized legal guidance. At E.P.P.G. Law of St. Johns, we help Palm Coast residents create estate plans that reflect their values and protect their future.
We Offer:
- Thorough Estate Planning Consultations – We take the time to learn about your needs and goals.
- Wills and Trusts Preparation and Review – We make sure your documents align with your vision and are legally sound.
- Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive Setup – We help you choose trusted individuals to manage your affairs when necessary.
- Ladybird Deed Preparation – We support your property transfer plans while keeping you in control during your lifetime.
We take a personal approach, providing clear guidance and dependable support throughout the estate planning process.
Keep control of your quality of life and your legacy.
Take action now to put legally binding plans in place.
Planning your estate is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family. When you take charge now, you protect your legacy and reduce stress for those you love. Let’s take the first step together.