ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEYS
Florida Estate Planning Attorneys
Estate planning is the legal process of arranging how your assets will be managed during your lifetime and distributed after death. A properly structured plan — including a will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and often a trust — helps ensure your wishes are carried out, can reduce the burden on your family, and may help your estate avoid or minimize probate. McFarland Gould Law Firm has guided Tampa Bay individuals and families through estate planning for decades, serving clients across Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties from six office locations. Free initial consultations are available. Call 727-461-1111.
Senior Partner Gary W. Lyons handles estate planning matters across Tampa Bay, drawing on more than 40 years of Florida legal experience.
What Documents Do I Need?
At a minimum, every adult should have a valid will, a durable power of attorney designating someone to handle financial matters if you become incapacitated, a healthcare surrogate designation authorizing a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf, and a living will expressing your end-of-life care preferences. For those with significant assets, blended families, or a desire to avoid probate, a revocable living trust is often a central part of the plan.
Our Approach to Estate Planning
We take the time to understand your family’s specific situation and goals before recommending a plan. Our attorneys draft wills and trusts, establish powers of attorney and healthcare directives, and coordinate beneficiary designations so your full estate plan works together as intended — not as a collection of disconnected documents.
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Practice Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
What estate planning documents does every adult need?
At a minimum, every adult should have a valid will, a durable power of attorney, a healthcare surrogate designation, and a living will. Those with significant assets or complex family situations may also benefit from a trust. An attorney can help you determine which documents fit your specific situation.
What is the difference between a will and a revocable living trust?
A will takes effect at death and must go through probate before assets are distributed. A revocable living trust can hold assets during your lifetime and transfer them to beneficiaries without probate, often more quickly and with greater privacy. Both let you specify how assets are distributed, but a trust generally requires more upfront planning to fund properly.
What happens if I die without a will in Florida?
If you die without a valid will, Florida’s intestate succession laws determine how your assets are distributed, which may not match your actual wishes. For example, if you are married with children from a prior relationship, the law may divide your estate in a way that creates conflict. A will ensures your intentions are legally recognized.
How often should I update my estate plan?
It is a good idea to review your estate plan every three to five years, or after a major life event such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, a significant change in assets, or the death of a named executor or beneficiary. An outdated plan can create confusion or fail to reflect your current wishes.
Can proper planning help my family avoid probate?
Yes. Assets held in a revocable living trust, jointly titled with rights of survivorship, or with named beneficiaries generally pass outside of probate. Strategic planning with an attorney can minimize or eliminate the need for probate for most of your estate, saving your family time and expense.
STEPS TO GET STARTED
STEP 1
CONSULTATION
Have a case and seeking legal representation? Contact us to set up a consultation.
STEP 2
SIGN UP
We have a quick and easy sign up process. Once you sign up for representation, we take care of the rest.
STEP 3
REPRESENT
We go to battle for you. Our team of powerhouse attorneys will get to work and update you regularly on your case.
LOCATIONS
Main Office
1659 Achieva Way
Suite 128
Dunedin Florida 34698
Suite 128
Dunedin Florida 34698
St. Petersburg
260 1st Ave S
Saint Petersburg, FL
Wesley Chapel
28210 Paseo Dr
Suite 190
Wesley Chapel, FL
New Port Richey
6230 Lafayette St
New Port Richey, FL
South Tampa
1646 W Snow Ave
Tampa, FL
North Tampa
6944 W Linebaugh Ave
Suite 102
Tampa, FL
