Wills and Trusts Attorney Pompano Beach

Finding Clarity in Difficult Times: How We Help with Wills & Trusts in Pompano Beach

Planning your estate is about more than drafting documents. It is about protecting the people you love, minimizing conflict, and ensuring your wishes are carried out with clarity. At Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A., our Pompano Beach wills and trusts team helps individuals and families create durable plans that work in real life, not just on paper.

Located in Broward County, we routinely guide clients in and around Pompano Beach through will preparation, trust formation and funding, beneficiary designations, and probate-avoidance strategies. For families facing disputes, we also handle will contests and probate litigation connected to estates administered through the Broward County Probate Division at the Broward County Courthouse.

Speak with our Pompano Beach wills and trusts attorney today. Call us at (954) 764-7273 or request your consultation now.

Wills and Trusts Representation in Pompano Beach

Every family has unique goals, assets, and concerns. We take the time to understand your situation and then design a will or trust strategy to meet it. From straightforward wills to layered trust structures that account for tax considerations, minor children, business interests, or blended families, we align the plan with your priorities while complying with Florida law.

Our firm has represented thousands of families in Broward County and throughout Florida. We have the depth to resolve routine planning matters efficiently and the courtroom experience to address probate disputes when they arise. Over $250 Million in Verdicts & Settlements Won For Our Clients.

Why a will still matters even if you create a trust

A revocable living trust can help your family bypass probate and maintain privacy, but a will is still essential. Your will names guardians for minor children, appoints a personal representative, and acts as a safety net for any assets not retitled into your trust. A pour-over will ensure those assets flow into your trust so your overall plan remains consistent.

Core documents we prepare

We frequently prepare and coordinate:

• Last Will and Testament with appropriate Florida formalities
• Revocable living trust and funding guidance
• Special needs trust to preserve public benefits for a loved one
• Testamentary trusts embedded in a will for minors
• Durable financial power of attorney
• Designation of a health care surrogate and living will
• HIPAA releases for medical information sharing

How we tailor trusts for real-world goals

Trusts are flexible tools. We can build provisions to:

• Protect inheritances from a beneficiary’s creditors or divorce
• Distribute funds over time to encourage responsible financial habits
• Provide for a child with a disability without risking benefits
• Keep a family business or vacation property in the family
• Plan around second marriages and blended families
• Address charitable goals while maintaining family control

How Probate Works in Broward County

If a loved one passes away owning assets in their name alone, the estate may be handled through the Broward County Probate Division at the Broward County Courthouse. Depending on the estate’s size and complexity, Florida provides summary administration for smaller estates and formal administration for larger or contested matters. Deadlines apply, notices must be provided to interested parties, and personal representatives must fulfill fiduciary duties. Our firm guides personal representatives through each step and protects beneficiaries’ rights.

When friction occurs, our probate disputes team litigates issues such as undue influence, lack of capacity, breach of fiduciary duty, or improper accountings. If you believe a will is invalid or a trustee has mishandled assets, we can assess the facts and pursue relief, including will contests, removal of a personal representative or trustee, and recovery of estate or trust property.

Avoiding Probate With Thoughtful Planning

A well-built plan can reduce or even avoid probate, easing stress and expense for your family. Common strategies include:

• Titling appropriate assets in the name of your revocable trust
• Using transfer-on-death or pay-on-death designations where appropriate
• Coordinating beneficiary designations for life insurance and retirement accounts
• Using enhanced life estate deeds, when suitable, to pass real property
• Consolidating accounts and maintaining updated asset lists for your fiduciaries

We make sure each tool fits your goals and does not accidentally undo protections you want to preserve.

Coordinating Beneficiary Designations

Your will or trust only controls assets that do not pass by title or contract. That means retirement accounts, life insurance, and some bank or brokerage accounts may pass directly to named beneficiaries. We review and align these designations with your documents to prevent conflicts or unintended disinheritance. For trusts, we often structure trust provisions to receive retirement assets in a tax-efficient way, while balancing creditor protection and beneficiary needs.

Planning for Business Owners and Real Estate

Pompano Beach and the surrounding Broward County market include many closely held businesses and investment properties. We help owners adopt succession plans, use buy-sell agreements, and coordinate trusts to keep management stable if something happens to you. For real estate, we evaluate homestead considerations, titling options, and whether a trust or entity ownership makes the most sense for asset protection and administration.

Preparing Your Fiduciaries to Succeed

Your personal representative, trustee, and agents must be able to carry out your plan. We help you:

• Choose appropriate fiduciaries and successors
• Provide clear guidance on investment philosophy and distribution intent
• Establish communication expectations to reduce family misunderstandings
• Build a centralized binder or digital vault of documents and key contacts

We also train fiduciaries on their duties to prevent the mistakes that commonly trigger probate disputes.

When Families Need Litigation Support

Despite careful planning, disputes can arise. We represent beneficiaries, personal representatives, and trustees in:

• Will contests based on undue influence or lack of capacity
• Challenges to trust amendments or changes late in life
• Surcharge actions and accountings for mismanagement
• Spousal elective share and exempt property issues
• Disputes over homestead, exemptions, or creditor claims

Our goal is to resolve matters efficiently. When a negotiated solution is not possible, we are prepared to litigate in the Broward County Probate Division and, when necessary, in appellate courts.

Updating Your Documents After Life Changes

Life does not stand still. We recommend reviewing your plan after major events such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, relocation, the purchase or sale of a business, or significant health changes. Beneficiary designations should also be reviewed regularly, particularly for retirement accounts and life insurance.

If you have an existing will or trust, we can evaluate it for Florida compliance and update it to reflect your current family, financial, and tax circumstances. If you recently moved to Pompano Beach, we routinely transition documents executed in other states to align with Florida law and local practice.

Transparent Process and Flat-Fee Options

Many planning engagements qualify for flat-fee pricing, and all litigation matters are scoped with clear budgets and updates. At the outset, we confirm your goals, gather documents, and map a step-by-step plan. You will know what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how decisions affect your family.

If you would like to see what clients say about working with us, explore our client reviews. This is an excellent way to understand our communication style, responsiveness, and courtroom approach in probate disputes.

What To Bring To Your First Meeting

To make our conversation productive, please bring or securely send:

• Any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health documents
• A list of assets and how each is titled
• Beneficiary designations for retirement accounts and life insurance
• Recent account statements and deeds
• Names and contact information for proposed fiduciaries

We meet in person or virtually and can accommodate family members who live outside Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a will and a trust?

A will directs how your probate assets are distributed and names a personal representative and guardians. A trust owns and manages assets during your life and after death, often avoiding probate. Many families use both for a comprehensive plan.

How long does probate take in Broward County?

The timeline depends on the estate’s size and whether there are disputes. Simple estates may be handled through summary administration in a few months. Formal administration or matters involving will contests or creditor disputes can take longer. Good planning can streamline the process for your family.

Do I need a trust to avoid probate in Florida?

Not always. Some assets can pass with beneficiary designations or joint titling. However, a revocable living trust is a reliable way to keep your plan centralized, improve privacy, and simplify administration, especially if you own real estate or have complex family dynamics.

What are common grounds for a will contest?

Common grounds include undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity, improper execution formalities, and fraud. If you suspect a will is invalid, act promptly. Deadlines apply, especially once a probate is opened with the Broward County Probate Division.

What happens if I die without a will in Florida?

Florida intestacy law determines who inherits. Your preferred beneficiaries may not receive what you intend, and administration can be more complex. A will and coordinated beneficiary designations ensure your wishes guide the outcome.

How often should I update my will or trust?

Review your plan every three to five years, or sooner after major life events like marriage, divorce, birth of a child, relocation to Pompano Beach, or significant changes in assets. Periodic updates keep your plan aligned with your goals.

Can you help if my family is already in a probate dispute?

Yes. Our team handles probate disputes, including trustee misconduct and will contests. We will assess the facts, explain your options, and move to protect your rights in the Broward County Courthouse.

Take the Next Step to Protect Your Family in Pompano Beach

Your estate plan should be as strong and clear as your intentions. If you are in Pompano Beach or greater Broward County, our wills and trusts lawyers are ready to put a thoughtful plan in place or step in to resolve probate disputes when they arise. Get practical guidance and precise documents that give your family confidence.

 Request your confidential wills and trusts consultation today. We will listen, explain your options and outline the next steps today.