Lara Juliette Fernandez, P.A.
Attorney at Law · Coral Gables, Florida
Do You Need an Estate Plan?
Answer six quick questions to see whether it may be time to start, or update, your estate plan. It takes about two minutes, and no personal information is collected.
Question 1 of 6
Do you have children under 18, or anyone who depends on you for care?
Question 2 of 6
Do you own a home or any other real estate?
Question 3 of 6
Do you currently have a will or a trust?
Question 4 of 6
Have you named someone to make medical and financial decisions if you can't (health care surrogate, power of attorney, living will)?
Question 5 of 6
Do you own a business, rental property, or significant retirement or investment accounts?
Question 6 of 6
In the last few years, have you had a major life change (marriage, divorce, a new child or grandchild, a death in the family, or a move to Florida)?
Your Result
It looks like estate planning should be a priority for you.
Your answers point to one or more pressing gaps, such as not having an up-to-date will or the directives that let someone act for you in an emergency. Putting a plan in place now, while things are calm, is far easier than waiting.
It may be a good time to put a plan in place, or refresh one.
A few of your answers suggest that creating or reviewing an estate plan could be worthwhile. A short conversation with an attorney can help you sort out what, if anything, you need.
You appear to have the basics in place. A periodic review still helps.
Based on your answers, you may already have key pieces handled. Even so, life and the law change over time, so having an attorney review your documents every few years helps keep everything current.
What your answers point to
- With minor children or others who depend on you, a plan lets you name who would care for them and manage what you leave them.
- Owning real estate is one of the most common reasons families end up in probate. Planning ahead can keep the transfer of property simpler for your loved ones.
- Without a will or trust, Florida law decides who receives your assets, which may not match your wishes.
- An older or out-of-state document may no longer reflect your wishes or current Florida law, so a review can be worthwhile.
- Health care and financial directives let someone you trust step in during an emergency. Without them, your family may need a court's involvement.
- If you're unsure whether these directives are in place, it's worth confirming, since they matter most in an unexpected moment.
- Business interests and larger accounts often benefit from coordinated planning so they pass the way you intend.
- Major life changes are a natural time to create or update a plan so it reflects who and what matter to you now.
A recommended next step
We recommend speaking with an estate planning attorney about your specific situation. If you'd like, you're welcome to schedule a consultation with our office. There's no obligation.
Schedule a Consultation Call 305-877-2600