WILLS A will is arguably the most important estate planning document you can have. Without it, your entire estate may be subject to the Florida default rules of passing along your things to your beneficiaries, otherwise known as the intestate process. If you want any control over what happens after you die, you must have a will. A will allows the probate court and your surviving friends and family to know your intentions on the following:

• Who are your beneficiaries, or the people/places that will receive your things when you're gone?
• How are those beneficiaries supposed to split up your things? Will it be an even split or some other percentage or one-time gift?
• Who will be the personal representative in charge of making sure your things are all collected and given out in the right way?
• What happens to any portion of your estate going to a minor or someone with a disability?

These questions, along with many others, are answered in your will. Even if you don't have a lot of assets, a will is still very important. We highly recommend scheduling a free consultation with us to discuss your specific situation and find out what a will can accomplish for you. TRUSTS There are many types of trusts, each serving a different purpose. The most common trust created as part of an estate plan is the living Revocable Trust. This type of trust is very versatile as the creator is the settlor (creator), a trustee (manager), and a beneficiary (enjoyer) during their lifetime. Once the settlor passes away or becomes incapacitated, the trust becomes irrevocable, and the successor trustee next in line is in charge of making sure all of the assets of the settlor go into the trust. A living revocable trust is usually accompanied by a special will called a "pour-over will." This type of will instructs the trustee to make sure any assets go into the trust if they did not get into the trust during the settlor's lifetime. One of the major benefits of a living revocable trust is that the probate process is avoided for most assets, as they are distributed to the beneficiaries through the trust and not a will. It is a fast, efficient, and inexpensive way of ensuring your assets get to your beneficiaries after your death. If you are interested in learning more about a living revocable trust, contact us for a free consultation to discuss your situation specifically. OTHER ESTATE DOCUMENTS In addition to a will or trust, family estate planning typically includes other important documents to protect you and your family, including:

• Living Will
• Health Care Surrogate
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Declaration of Pre-Need Guardianship
• Lady Bird Deeds

We will explain the legal effect of these documents and whether they should be included in your plan. HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK? At Spinner Law Firm, we make the estate planning process simple, seamless, and more affordable than you might think. Here is how it works:

• Contact Spinner Law Firm for a complimentary, no obligation, in-depth estate planning consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.
• At the initial meeting, we will discuss the details of your estate, and develop a plan geared towards meeting your estate planning goals.
• At the conclusion of our initial meeting, we will quote you a flat legal fee that covers the entire cost of our estate planning services.
• If you decide to hire our services, we will begin preparing your documents right away. We will email drafts of the estate documents for your preliminary review.
• Once you approve the documents, we will arrange a second office appointment to perform a final document review, go over the key provisions, and conduct a signing ceremony.
• Payment of the applicable fees is accepted once you have signed off on your estate documents. There are no hidden fees or costs associated with the process.

Call today for help with your Estate Plan. We recognize the peace of mind created by having an Estate Plan and would love to help you and your family.