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Short videos answering common Florida estate planning questions.

Estate Planning

Does Florida Have an Inheritance Tax?

Florida has no inheritance tax or state estate tax. Learn which federal taxes, out-of-state taxes and inherited IRA rules may still affect your loved ones.

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Estate Planning

Who Inherits If You Die Without a Will in Florida?

If you die without a will in Florida, state law decides who inherits. Learn the basic order for spouses, children and parents, and why a will can matter.

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Estate Planning

Does a Will Expire in Florida?

A Florida will does not expire. Learn what can change an old will, like divorce, marriage or a new child, and why reviewing it every few years matters.

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Estate Planning

Is a Notarized Will Valid in Florida?

Is a notarized will valid in Florida? A notary's stamp alone isn't enough. Learn why two witnesses are generally required and how a notary can speed probate.

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Estate Planning

Are Electronic Wills Valid in Florida?

Electronic wills are generally valid in Florida since July 2020. Learn how e-signing and video witnessing work, and who needs witnesses physically present.

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Estate Planning

Is My Out-of-State Will Valid in Florida?

Moved to Florida? Your out-of-state will is usually valid here if it was valid where you signed it. Learn the exceptions and what Florida treats differently.

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Estate Planning

Is a Handwritten Will Valid in Florida?

A handwritten will usually isn't valid in Florida without two witnesses. Learn what Florida law requires for a valid will and what happens to unwitnessed ones.

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Guides

Probate

What Is Probate in Florida? A Plain-English Guide to the Florida Probate Process

Probate is Florida's court process for transferring a deceased person's assets. Here is how it works, what it costs, and what is changing in 2026.

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Estate Planning

What Is a Last Will and Testament in Florida? A Plain-English Guide

A clear Florida guide to last wills and testaments, covering execution rules under Florida Statute 732.502, witnesses, self-proof, and electronic wills.

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Estate Planning

What Happens to Bank Accounts When Someone Dies in Florida?

When someone dies in Florida, bank accounts don't automatically follow the will — they follow how the account was titled and whether a beneficiary was named. Understanding the difference can prevent probate delays, frozen accounts, and costly mistakes.

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Estate Planning

What Is a Durable Power of Attorney in Florida?

Most Florida residents don't realize their power of attorney takes effect the moment they sign it — or what happens if they never sign one at all. Here's what you need to know about one of the most critical documents in any Florida estate plan.

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Estate Planning

How Much Does Probate Cost in Florida? Attorney Fees, PR Commissions, and Court Costs Explained

Florida probate costs can add up to 3–7% of your estate's value. This article breaks down exactly what families pay — attorney fees, personal representative commissions, and court costs — and what Florida law says about negotiating those fees.

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Estate Planning

Can You Disinherit a Child in Florida? What the Law Actually Says

Florida has no forced heirship rule, meaning you can legally leave a child out of your will — but only if the disinheritance is clearly stated. Here is what Florida law requires and where estates go wrong.

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Estate Planning

What Is a Lady Bird Deed in Florida? Enhanced Life Estate Deeds Explained

A Lady Bird Deed — also called an Enhanced Life Estate Deed — lets Florida homeowners transfer property to a beneficiary at death without probate, while keeping full control during their lifetime. Here is how it works and what Florida homeowners need to know.

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Estate Planning

Florida Medicaid's Five-Year Lookback Period Explained

Florida Medicaid won't cover nursing home costs if you gave away assets in the five years before applying. Here's how the lookback period works and what transfers are exempt under Florida law.

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Estate Planning

Why Asset Titling Can Override Your Will in Florida

In Florida, many assets pass outside of your will entirely based on how they are titled or who is named as a beneficiary. Here is what every Florida resident should check before assuming their will controls everything.

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Estate Planning

What Is a Health Care Surrogate in Florida? A Plain English Guide

Learn how a health care surrogate designation works under Florida law, who can serve, and what happens to your medical decisions if you do not have one in place.

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Estate Planning

What Is a Living Will in Florida? Advance Directive Requirements Explained

A Florida living will tells doctors your wishes about life prolonging treatment if you become unable to communicate. Here is when it applies, what Florida law requires, and how it differs from a healthcare surrogate designation.

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Estate Planning

What Is a Pour-Over Will in Florida and Why Do You Need One?

If you have a revocable living trust in Florida, a pour-over will is the companion document that makes your plan complete. It ensures that any assets left outside the trust when you die are captured and transferred into it — so your trust controls the final distribution.

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Estate Planning

How to Protect Your Home from Medicaid in Florida

Florida's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program can seek repayment from your estate after death — but the right planning keeps your home protected. Learn how Florida's homestead laws and Lady Bird Deeds shield your property from Medicaid claims.

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Estate Planning

What Does a Personal Representative Do in Florida Probate?

When someone dies in Florida, a personal representative is appointed by the probate court to manage the estate. This article explains who qualifies for the role, what duties they must perform, and how Florida law governs the entire process.

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Estate Planning

DIY Wills in Florida: What Can Go Wrong and How to Avoid Costly Mistakes

Florida has strict rules for making a valid will — and a DIY will that misses any one of them is treated by courts as if it was never written. Here is what Florida residents need to know before signing anything.

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Estate Planning

Why You Should NOT Name Your Trust as Your IRA Beneficiary in Florida

Naming your trust as your IRA beneficiary sounds like a smart move — but for most Florida families, it creates a serious tax problem. Here is what you need to know before you update your beneficiary forms.

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Estate Planning

What Is a Declaration of Preneed Guardian in Florida?

A Declaration of Preneed Guardian lets you choose, in advance, who a Florida court should appoint as your guardian if you are ever found incapacitated. Here is how this often-overlooked document works under Florida law.

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Estate Planning

What Is an Irrevocable Trust in Florida?

An irrevocable trust cannot simply be undone once it is created, and that permanence is exactly what gives it legal power under Florida law. Learn what makes a trust irrevocable, why people use one, and the limited ways Florida law allows changes later.

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Estate Planning

What Is a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) in Florida?

Learn how a Qualified Income Trust, also called a Miller Trust, helps Florida families qualify for Medicaid long term care when income exceeds the state's monthly cap.

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Estate Planning

Designation of Health Care Surrogate vs. Living Will in Florida Explained

Learn the key differences between a Florida health care surrogate designation and a living will, and why most complete Florida estate plans include both documents.vary and individual circumstances differ. Consult a licensed Florida estate planning attorney for advice specific to your situation. Tejus Karia, Esq. is a member of The Florida Bar.

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Estate Planning

Estate Planning for Non-U.S. Citizens Living in Florida

Not being a U.S. citizen does not shut you out of Florida estate planning. Here is what actually changes under Florida and federal law, and what does not.

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Estate Planning

Do You Need a Lawyer for Probate in Florida?

Florida law requires an attorney for most personal representatives handling probate, but a 2026 change may mean your family qualifies for a simpler process. Here's how to know which path applies to you.

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