Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning
“My Will is up-to-date. Is yours?”
With over 50 years of essential estate planning experience, Yelen Yelen & Simon, P.A. is here to assist you with creating a personalized estate plan that adapts to whatever changes life presents you in family or in business. Our ultimate goal is to develop a comprehensive estate plan that captures your wishes and protects you, your loved ones and your estate. Our attorneys can guide you in making these decisions regarding your future estate.
Yelen Yelen & Simon, P.A. offers a full range of planning services for estates of all sizes and ranging complexities, including the following:
- Last Will and Testament
- Revocable and Irrevocable Trust Agreements
- Living Will
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
- Health Care Surrogate Designation
- Transferring assets/property into Trusts
- Leaving Florida property to beneficiaries/heirs
- Naming a Guardian and/or Health Care Surrogate for children
- Planning for the avoidance of Probate
Last Will and Testament: We find that a comprehensive estate plan begins with a Last Will and Testament. We believe that every individual should have an up-to-date Will. This legal document ensures that your assets are distributed in the manner you intended and may avoid family conflicts following your death. For individuals with minor children, a Will and proper estate plan ensures that your minor children are provided for if something should happen to one or both parents.
Revocable and Irrevocable Trust Agreements: Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts are legal documents that can be used in developing your estate plan and protecting your assets. A Revocable Trust Agreement is created during your lifetime, naming both a trustee and beneficiary/beneficiaries of your estate. During your lifetime, you can modify or amend the trust at any time, and it only becomes irrevocable upon your death. Similarly, an Irrevocable Trust Agreement allows you to appoint a trustee and beneficiary/beneficiaries of your estate; however, this document is non-modifiable once created. These instruments are effective in transferring wealth to family members and protecting assets. The creation of Revocable and Irrevocable Trust Agreements may also prevent the need to probate your estate following your death.
Living Will: A Living Will is a legal document in which you advise family, designated individuals and health care providers of your wishes concerning life-prolonging medical treatments. This document will only come into use if you are unable to speak for yourself, in which case your designated surrogate will inform your health care providers regarding your desires on this issue.
Durable Power of Attorney: A Power of Attorney is a legal document which appoints an attorney-in-fact or agent and effectively “delegates” decision-making authority from one person to another. A Durable Power of Attorney grants your designated attorney-in-fact the right to act on your behalf prior to your death and survives a later determination of incapacity. The powers conferred by the Durable Power of Attorney are specifically articulated in this document and can be expansive. This document is often utilized by a family member or trusted individual if you become incapacitated and are unable to handle your personal and financial affairs.
Healthcare Surrogate Designation: A Health Surrogate is an individual selected by you whom you give the authority to provide informed consent for medical procedures and treatments in the event you are incapacitated or unable to speak for yourself. This individual will have the power to make health care decisions for you and on your behalf.
We, at the law office of Yelen Yelen & Simon, P.A. , can assist you in discussing, developing and updating your estate planning documents. Please feel free to call us at 305-445-3721 for a consultation.