Summer Nichols Law is here to help ensure you have important documents in place, such as a will, living will, and healthcare directive. Things like life estate deeds (commonly known as lady bird deeds) can also be helpful to have in place at the time of your passing.
F.A.Q
A Will is your last testament of how you desire your property and personal belongings to be distributed. Most importantly, it is also your last chance, if you are a parent of minor children, to express who you want to become legal guardian(s) of your children, and who you choose to distribute or put into a Trust, as a Trustee,any of your assets or personal property for your children, as those children become the age of your choice (18, 21, 25, 30?) A will is also the ultimate tool to prevent loved ones from getting upset with each other over things that are preventable by YOUR will and YOUR written statements about why you are leaving what you are leaving. Specific sentimental or explanatory statements can be made in your will, if so desired.
It is extremely important to have a Family or Probate Law Attorney draft and complete this for you. There are many very specific laws regarding the provisions and signing of wills that, if done incorrectly, could completely invalidate your will! Beware of online services. Have the peace of mind that comes with having a local certified attorney prepare and do the signing ceremony for your Last Will and Testament.
The Law Office of Summer R. Nichols has handled hundreds of Wills and enjoys the opportunity to make you and your loved ones feel at ease knowing that things were done right, and that your children are taken care of in accordance with your specific wishes, in the event of your untimely death.
Please consider taking care of this now. Life is too short not to.
A Living Will is not to be confused with a legal will, which disposes of a person’s property upon his or her death. A Living Will directs the provision, withholding, or withdrawal of life prolonging procedures in the event one should have a terminal condition. In Florida, “life prolonging procedures” also includes the provision of food and water to terminally ill patients. If you chose to direct in your Living Will that your life not be prolonged, you can also request that you are administered pain medication or other similar treatement to alleviate suffering.
A Health Care Surrogateis a person designated by youtomake all health care decisions during any period in which you may become incapacitated. You can also designate an alternate health care surrogate in the even your primary surrogate is unwilling or unable to handle the responsibility at the time he or she is needed.
There are very specific rules involving the signing a validity of Living Wills and Health Care Appointments. For instance, two witnesses are needed for each document and neither witness may be a spouse or blood relative of the maker of the will. The health care surrogate cannot act as a witness for the Health Care Appointment document. If the maker of theLiving Willis physically unable to sign, one of the witnesses can sign in the presence of and at the direction of the maker.
It is important to hire an experienced attorney to draft and handle the signing of these documents for you.
The Law Office of Summer R. Nichols, LLC has handled hundreds of wills, living wills, and health care appointments. Please Call Us Today to make an appointment to have this done and feel secure knowing that you did!
