Last will and testament
Give directions for property governed by your will after death and name the person you want to carry it out.
Estate planning
Need a will, living trust, or power of attorney in Florida?
Based in Inverness, I help individuals and families in Citrus County and across Florida put important choices in writing: what happens to property, who can act for them, and who can make healthcare decisions.
How the firm can help
Estate-planning documents the firm prepares
You might be making a plan for the first time, updating documents after a change, or choosing who can act if you cannot. You do not need to know which form you need before we talk. We start with the decision you want to make, then agree on what to prepare.
Revocable living trust
Set terms for managing assets held in the trust during life and distributing them after death. Whether transferring assets into the trust is included depends on the agreed scope.
Durable power of attorney
Choose someone to handle financial and other authorized matters for you, including if you later become unable to act.
Healthcare surrogate designation
Choose someone to make healthcare decisions if you cannot make them yourself.
Living will (an advance directive)
Put your wishes about life-prolonging treatment in writing for circumstances addressed by Florida law.
Qualified income trust (Miller trust)
Prepare the trust document for someone who needs one as part of Florida Medicaid long-term-care planning. Account setup, monthly deposits, and Medicaid eligibility decisions are separate from document preparation.
What to expect
A defined set of documents, prepared for you.
We discuss your goals, family, assets, and existing documents. Before drafting begins, we agree on the documents, the scope of the work, and the fee. If a trust is part of the plan, we also address whether help transferring assets into it is included.
You review the drafts before signing. We then arrange a signing that meets the requirements for the documents being prepared. Estate planning is a separate engagement with the individual; a facility or provider relationship does not by itself make a resident, patient, or family member a client of the firm.
What the work may include
- Drafts of the agreed documents for your review.
- Revisions and a discussion of your questions within the agreed scope.
- A final set of documents and instructions for signing and keeping them available.
Deliverables depend on the agreed engagement; not every item is included in every project.
Malcolm Freeman is a Florida attorney whose healthcare background informs planning for medical decisions and long-term-care situations. Meet your attorney.
Common questions
Questions you may have
Should I choose a will or a revocable living trust?
That depends on your assets and what you want the documents to do. A will gives directions for property governed by the will after death. A revocable trust can address assets held in it during life and after death; signing the trust alone does not transfer assets into it. We can discuss which approach fits your situation.
Can you prepare just a will or power of attorney?
Yes. You do not have to start with a package of documents. We can discuss the particular document you want and whether it addresses the decision you are planning for.
Who can make decisions if I cannot?
A durable power of attorney and a healthcare surrogate designation address different decisions that may arise during your lifetime. We can discuss whom you want to authorize and what each document would cover.
When should I review documents I already have?
If your goals, family circumstances, assets, or chosen decision-makers have changed, it may be worth reviewing your documents. We can discuss whether an update or replacement should be part of the work.
Can the work be quoted as a flat fee?
Often, yes. Once we know which documents and review are needed, the scope and fee can be confirmed before drafting begins.
Your next step
Discuss your estate-planning documents.
Tell us generally whether you are starting a plan or updating documents you already have. We can discuss a defined set of documents, the scope of the work, and the fee.
The initial 30-minute consultation is free.
Please share only a general description of your legal needs. Do not include confidential information, patient or resident details, account numbers, or documents. Submitting a request or booking a consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins only after conflict review and a written engagement agreement.
Spanish-language help is available for estate-planning intake and consultations. A bilingual, nonlawyer assistant interprets; Malcolm D. Freeman provides all legal advice.
Call (786) 899-1281