Legal Services

Some large law firms call themselves “full service.” They have a large number of attorneys and have many areas of practices. Some solo attorneys also call themselves “full service.” Many of them use that term because they think it sounds impressive – or they practice what’s known as “door law,” meaning they take anything that walks in the door. You’ll see on their websites that they practice “personal injury, bankruptcy, and estate planning.”

We only do one thing.

Well, that’s not true. We do many things, but they’re all tied into helping families in South Florida plan for the best ways to protect themselves and their loved ones for the inevitability of death and incapacity.

• “Basic” Estate Planning. Although estate planning is never simple or “basic,” everyone needs a certain “set” of documents, regardless of age, marital status, wealth, number of children, etc. These are a Last Will and Testament, a Durable Power of Attorney, a Designation of Health Care Surrogate, a Living Will, and in some (but not all) cases, a Revocable Living Trust. The “basic” plan is the first step to avoiding intestacy and guardianships in the case of incapacity.  However, no plan or set of the documents is the same, which is why “basic” is in quotes, because nothing is ever really basic.
• Estate, Trust, and Probate Administration. Much – but not all – of estate planning is geared towards avoiding a difficult probate. However, when a person dies, there is almost always some administration that is necessary – whether through the probate process or in a trust. The process involves gathering the decedent’s assets, identifying potential creditors, paying taxes, and distributing assets to the beneficiaries.
• Special Needs Trusts. Children with disabilities or loved ones who are unable to care for themselves may need to have their assets structured to prevent a reduction of government benefits such as Medicaid or SSI.
• Wealth Preservation and Asset Protection. Most people don’t live “basic” lives and need more than “basic” estate planning. David worked at the IRS in Washington, DC for seven years, and has a Masters of Estate Planning (LL.M) from the University of Miami Law School. We can help structure advanced income and estate tax savings techniques, and to distribute your assets so that your loved ones are protected not only from others, but from themselves.
• Business Planning. Preparing a business for transition, even at start-up, can help ensure its long-term success. We work with new and long-time business owners to help them structure and protect their business for the long run.

We believe that planning for the future should not be left until the future. Whether you are young, middle aged, or in retirement, your life is always changing. Comprehensive estate planning can protect you and your loved ones from the unexpected. When you experience a significant life event or a life change – it’s a good time to have your estate planning reviewed. To learn more about me and estate planning news, be sure to check David’s blog.