Estate Planning & Probate
Attorneys Serving Central Florida
Proper estate planning safeguards your family and assets. A competent estate planning attorney will make certain that your assets are distributed according to your preferences, whether at your death when your beneficiaries reach the age of majority or depending on your specific instructions. Making important estate and probate decisions now can alleviate future difficulties for your family. Even if you have a Will, probate may be required. Probate is the legal process of transferring property to your heirs or beneficiaries.
Generations of families depend on ShuffieldLowman to handle their estate planning and probate-related needs. The firm also works with those appointed to manage the estate of a decedent through the probate process and the management of an estate’s assets preserving assets and protecting clients’ rights through effective administration and transfer or, when necessary, through litigation. With offices in Orlando, Lake Nona, Tavares, DeLand, and Port Orange, we are prepared to represent clients across Central Florida. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Wills & Trusts
Wills are widely understood to be beneficial, but there are a host of other important legal documents that can accompany them, including
a medical care directive
durable financial power of attorney,
limited power of attorney
and guardianship designations
The firm’s attorneys provide a suite of documents designed to cover all known needs and many unforeseen ones associated with estate planning.
Trusts are another common term and can sound complicated, but they are a major planning tool used by the firm’s estate planning attorneys to minimize or eliminate probate. Many options based on individual needs include:
revocable trusts
irrevocable trusts
generation-skipping trusts
special needs trusts
and charitable trusts, just to name a few.
Customization is the key to making the right choice and the firm’s estate planning attorneys regularly work with families, financial planners, accountants, and other trusted advisors to provide unique solutions. Our estate planning team has had multiple attorneys recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Florida Trend Legal Elite, and Thomson Reuters Super Lawyer. We regularly serve the Orlando community through educational seminars on what your estate plan should have, planned giving benefits, and more.
Asset Protection
Asset protection planning is a strategy for securing assets that could otherwise be vulnerable to court judgments or claims from creditors or ex-spouses. There are a variety of legal mechanisms in place to ensure that both personal and company assets remain in the hands of the asset owner. Asset protection is a strategy used by individuals and organizations to limit creditors’ access to valuable assets while guaranteeing that the property owner does not break the law. Asset protection entails assessing the existing situation and determining future goals, developing a strategy to achieve these goals, and preparing the necessary legal documents to carry out the strategy. Business succession planning, nuptial agreements, family limited partnerships, LLCs, and trust establishment are all examples of asset protection. Estate taxes, or taxes on a person’s property after their death, must also be considered. Our experts in estate planning can help you protect your assets and create the strategy that’s right for you.
