Last Will Attorney in Fort Lauderdale

Clear Guidance When Will Disputes Challenge Your Family’s Peace of Mind

Creating a Last Will and Testament is a straightforward way to protect the people and property that matter most. If you live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, working with a dedicated last will lawyer can help you avoid common mistakes, clarify your wishes, and reduce the likelihood of family disputes later.

At Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A., our Fort Lauderdale team guides clients through each decision with clear explanations and a practical plan. From basic wills to more involved documents that coordinate with trusts, beneficiary designations, and advance directives, we tailor your will to your life, assets, and goals.

Call (954) 764-7273 to schedule a confidential consultation or request your Fort Lauderdale Last Will planning review online.

Fort Lauderdale Last Will and Testament Services

When you prepare a will in Florida, the details matter. Our attorneys provide end-to-end support, from the first intake to signing and storing your documents. We help you:

● Identify all probate and nonprobate assets in Broward County and beyond
● Appoint a personal representative who can serve under Florida law
● Name guardians for minor children and specify successor choices
● Structure specific gifts, residuary clauses, and personal property memoranda
● Coordinate your will with beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement accounts
● Address homestead considerations for Fort Lauderdale homeowners
● Plan for digital assets and online accounts
● Integrate your will with revocable trusts or special needs planning where appropriate

Why a Florida compliant will matter

Florida has unique requirements for signing, witnessing, and self-proving wills. A document prepared in another state might still be valid, but execution mistakes are common. We ensure your will meets Florida formalities, including proper witnesses and a self-proving affidavit, to streamline probate in Broward County.

Avoiding conflicts through clear drafting

Ambiguous language can trigger disputes during probate. We draft with clarity, define key terms, and anticipate contingencies like predeceased beneficiaries, simultaneous death, and adoptions, reducing the risk of costly litigation.

How a Will Fits Into Your Broward County Estate Plan

A Last Will and Testament is one part of a complete plan. In Fort Lauderdale, many clients also benefit from:

● Revocable living trusts to manage assets during life and allow smooth transfer after death
● Durable powers of attorney for financial authority during incapacity
● Health care surrogate designations and living wills for medical decisions
● Transfer-on-death and payable-on-death designations to complement your will

Will versus revocable trust

A will directs the probate court on how to distribute probate assets. A revocable trust can hold assets during life and distribute them privately, often with fewer delays. We explain the tradeoffs and show how a simple pour-over will can backstop your trust to capture any assets not retitled.

The Fort Lauderdale Process With Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A.

Our process is designed for clarity, efficiency, and compliance with Florida law.

Strategy session

We discuss your goals, family circumstances, assets, and concerns. We also review existing documents and beneficiary designations.

Design and draft

We recommend a structure for your will and any companion documents. Drafts are prepared with plain language and clear instructions.

Review and finalize

We review every clause with you, confirm fiduciary choices, and adjust as needed. We also provide practical guidance on communicating your wishes to family.

Signing and storage

We supervise execution with qualified witnesses and a notary. You receive self-proving documentation and secure storage recommendations.

Maintenance

Life changes. We offer periodic reviews after major events like marriage, divorce, birth, death, a move, or a significant change in assets.

Choosing a personal representative in Florida

Florida restricts who can serve. We help you select a qualified person or institution, outline their duties, and name alternates. We also discuss bond requirements and compensation, so expectations are set in advance.

Guardianship and minors

Parents in Fort Lauderdale can use a will to nominate guardians. We help you think through practical factors like location, values, and financial capacity. We also discuss how a testamentary trust can manage assets for minors with age-based distributions.

Local Issues For Fort Lauderdale Residents

Fort Lauderdale property, retirement accounts, and business interests often raise special considerations.

Homestead

Florida homestead laws can affect how your primary residence passes to a spouse or minor children. We explain options and the impact of life estate and remainder interests.

Condominiums and co-ops

Condo bylaws and association rules can affect transfers. We coordinate your plan with association requirements and insurance.

Small businesses and professional practices

If you own a local business, you should work with operating agreements or buy-sell provisions. We coordinate with your CPA to address valuations and tax elections.

Out-of-state property

If you own property outside Florida, you may need ancillary probate. We plan to minimize separate proceedings through titling and trust strategies.

Blended families and second marriages

Clear provisions for children from prior relationships are essential. We craft specific gifts, elective share planning, and trust structures to protect all parties and reduce the chance of conflict.

Cost, Timing, and What To Bring

Transparent fees and a predictable timeline help you move forward with confidence.

Typical timeline

Most Fort Lauderdale wills can be completed within a short window once you return your questionnaire and schedule a signing.

What to bring

A list of assets and approximate values, beneficiary names and ages, fiduciary choices, prior estate documents, and identification for the signing.

Storage and access

We provide guidance on storing originals, sharing copies with fiduciaries, and maintaining an asset list so your personal representative can act efficiently.

Coordination with probate

Your will is the roadmap for probate in Broward County. Our firm also represents personal representatives and beneficiaries, so we draft your documents with the probate process in mind.

Why Work With Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A.

For more than two decades, our law firm has focused on Florida probate and estate matters. We combine practical courtroom insight with careful planning so that your will stands up when it counts. Clients in Fort Lauderdale appreciate direct communication, prompt timelines, and documents that are easy to understand and follow.

A firm grounded in probate and estate law

Because our team regularly handles will disputes and probate administration, we draft with real-world experience about what helps families and what causes friction. That perspective informs every clause we recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Last Will if I have a revocable trust?

A pour-over will is still important. It names a personal representative and captures any assets you did not title to your trust. It can also nominate guardians for minor children and address final arrangements.

What happens if I die without a will in Florida?

Florida intestacy law controls who inherits, which may differ from your wishes. The court appoints a personal representative, and distributions follow a statutory order that may not fit blended families.

How often should I update my will?

Review after major life events or every three to five years. Update when you marry or divorce, have or adopt a child, move, acquire significant assets, or experience the death or incapacity of a named fiduciary.

Can I handwrite my will in Florida?

Florida does not recognize unwitnessed handwritten wills. To be valid and self-proving, your will must be signed with proper witnesses and typically a notary. Errors in execution can invalidate the document.

Will my will avoid probate in Fort Lauderdale?

A will guides probate but does not avoid it. Certain assets can bypass probate through trusts or beneficiary designations. We help you coordinate titles and designations to meet your goals.

Who should I choose as a personal representative?

Pick someone organized, trustworthy, and eligible under Florida law. Consider location, willingness to serve, and whether a corporate fiduciary is a better fit for complex estates.

Can my will address digital assets?

Yes. We include language authorizing access to digital accounts and specifying how important online assets and records should be handled.

Secure your Fort Lauderdale legacy with a clear plan

Your will should reflect your wishes and reduce the burden on loved ones. If you live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the right legal guidance helps you complete your plan with confidence and keep it up to date as life changes.

Request your Fort Lauderdale Last Will planning consultation today or call (954) 764-7273 to speak with our last will attorney.