Jeffers Financial

“Do I need a will or a trust?” It is one of the most common estate-planning questions. The answer is usually more personal than people expect. A will and a trust can serve different purposes, and many estate plans use both. What Is a Will? A will is a written legal document that directs how certain property should be distributed after death. A will may also name a personal representative and nominate a guardian for minor children. Florida has specific formal requirements for a valid will....

When someone dies without a valid will, they are considered to have died intestate. That does not mean there is no plan. It means Florida law provides the plan. Florida's intestacy laws determine who receives probate property when there is no effective will. What Does Florida Law Say? The answer depends heavily on the person's family structure. For example, Florida law may allow a surviving spouse to receive the entire intestate estate when there are no surviving descendants. A surviving...

Estate planning often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. There is always something happening. Work. Children. Bills. Business. Retirement. Life. Then a family emergency happens and suddenly everyone is searching for documents, passwords, account information, insurance policies and answers. Planning ahead can make a difficult season easier for the people you love. Start With What You Own Before worrying about legal terminology, take inventory. Make a list of your: Home and other real...