Estate Planning

Estate Planning Attorney In Ocala, FL

Stanley Plappert is an experienced estate planning attorney of Ocala, FL, providing legal guidance when making decisions on how to delegate property to loved ones.

Estate planning, simply put, is the making of plans and arrangements for how your estate will be transferred after your death. Your estate includes all property which you own at the time of your death: Real estate, money in banks, investment accounts, clothing, jewelry, personal items, automobiles, etc. Good estate planning, among other things, makes certain that the person(s) you want to receive your property are clearly identified.

Last Will and Testament

It is important to have a will. With a will, you control what happens to your property when you die. A properly drafted will can virtually assure that the administration of your estate will be smoother and more efficient. If you die without a will, the administration of your estate will have to follow laws which could result in your assets and property being distributed differently than you would have wished.

Living Trust

A living trust is a legal document which holds the grantor’s property and assets and gives control to a trustee. Usually, the grantor (you) is also the trustee, and the trust names a successor trustee to administer the trust upon your death. Mr. Plappert prepares living trusts, and also represents successor trustees in the fulfillment of their duties and the transfer of the property upon your death.

Living trusts, however, should be drafted by and with the advice of an experienced attorney, who can explain to the client both the “pros & cons” of having a trust. For example, title to the grantor’s property and assets must be transferred to and maintained in the name of the trust in order for probate to be avoided upon the grantor’s death. Mr. Plappert is well-qualified to fully explain what you will need to know in making a decision whether to set up a living trust.

Living Will

Under Florida law, a competent adult may make a Living Will(also known as an advance directive) directing that life-prolonging procedures be withheld or withdrawn in the event the adult has a terminal or end-stage condition and is in a persistent vegetative state. A properly drafted Living Will can save a loved one’s family the additional stress and anguish of dealing with the issues involved in attempting to come to an agreement regarding life-prolonging medical treatments under such circumstances.

Medical Power of Attorney (Health Care Surrogate)

A Medical Power of Attorney (also known as a Health Care Surrogate) is a legal document in which individuals appoint a trusted person to oversee their medical care and to make health care decisions for them. Health-Care Surrogates are most commonly used in situations where the individual is unable to make health care decisions but is not in a persistent vegetative state. Common examples include situations in which the individual has suffered a stroke or heart attack, or is being treated for a debilitating or terminal illness.

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document in which an individual appoints someone else to act in his/her place. Powers of attorney can be limited or durable. Unlike a Medical Power of Attorney (Health Care Surrogate) a Power of Attorney is usually designed to cover non-health care matters, such as, paying bills, managing investments or selling real estate. The power given to someone in a Durable Power of Attorney continues even if the person who has given the power to another (the Principal) becomes physically or mentally disabled. Quite often, a well drafted Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, and Living Will can avoid the expense and legally mandated reporting requirements of a guardianship.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Why Do We Need To Do Estate Planning?
• How Often Should Someone Review Or Update Their Estate Planning?
• What Are The Pitfalls of Attempting To Craft Your Own Estate Planning Documents?

The Law Office of Stanley Plappert serves clients throughout Central Florida. Please contact our office today at (352) 369-0664, if you have questions, concerns or need legal advice regarding wills, trusts, power of attorney and estate planning.