Dade City & Zephyrhills Wills & Living Wills Attorney
At the Madonna Law Group, our Dade City & Zephyrhills wills attorneys understand the importance of planning ahead. Our estate planning attorneys will take you step-by-step through the thoughtful process of establishing your Last Will and Testament.
We know that planning for you and your family’s future is important to you. Our attorneys will listen to your concerns and wishes and will draft documents that will ensure that your carefully considered directives will be honored.
Call Us Today for Peace of Mind Now and Comfort Tomorrow
Call today to protect the interests of you and your loved ones in the event that something should happen to you. Call 352-567-0411.
Let us help provide you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you have made the right decisions to benefit your family in the days ahead. Your directives will be clear and legally documented to assist and comfort your family at a very difficult and emotional time.
These decisions are yours to make. Do not let a judge make these decisions for you. Don’t delay in making essential estate-planning decisions. Contact our law firm today to take action.
What is a Valid Last Will and Testament?
A valid Will in the State of Florida is a legal document, properly executed, that directs how your estate is distributed after your death. The validity of a Last Will and Testament may come into question when the Will is changed or revoked.
The maker of the Will can change it as often as he or she desires by executing a new Will or by adding a Codicil. A Codicil is an addition or amendment to an existing Will and must be executed with the same strict formalities as the Will itself.
Caution should be taken to ensure that the Codicil does not invalidate the Will. A Will changed by writing something on it or crossing something out may invalidate the document in whole or in part.
Contact our estate planning attorneys to review your current Last Will and Testament and all Codicils to ensure that the documents were properly executed and still valid.
Be Sure Your Will Is Valid In Florida
Our law firm is contacted on a regular basis by people who purchased forms online only to find out later that the forms are not valid in Florida, or that they are not properly signed, witnessed and notarized.
The Last Will and Testament lawyers at the Madonna Law Group will ensure that the documents we draft and create for you are valid and conform to our State laws.
Our estate planning attorneys are well versed in the requirements of preparation and execution of Wills. The effect of having a Will that is not valid is essentially the same as not having a Will. Do not take that chance.
If you have concerns that your current Will is not valid, contact our law firm today to speak with one of our estate planning attorneys. Our law office is conveniently located directly across the street from the Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City, Florida.
The Consequences of not Having a Valid Will
There can be severe negative consequences to your estate if you fail to have a valid Last Will and Testament in place at the time of your death. Creating a Will is usually the simplest method of having your wishes carried out after your passing.
If you die without a valid Will in place, you are said to have died “Intestate” and the laws in the State of Florida will be used to determine how your estate is divided. This means that an heir that you may prefer to disinherit and want to receive nothing may in fact be awarded everything by Florida law.
What Assets/Directives Can be Included in a Will?
The experienced Last Will and Testament lawyers at the Madonna Law Group offer advice to our clients regarding the directives that are necessary, and the property and assets which should be included in the Will, while always keeping our clients’ objectives in mind.
Below is a list of some of the assets that can be included in directives in your Last Will and Testament:
- Home, land, or other real estate
- Jewelry and artwork
- Motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats, ATV’s
- Furniture and other household items of value
- Investment portfolio/Shares of stock
- Firearms or other collectibles
- Appointment of a personal representative
- Guardianship of minor children
- Guardianship of mentally or physically incapacitated dependants
- Care of pets
Disputing the Validity of a Last Will and Testament
Regardless of how well the Last Will and Testament is drafted, a family member or affected person may contest its validity.
Everyone has heard of horror stories. A loved one passes away and believes he or she has a valid Will in place. Soon after the passing, an estranged family member enters the picture who is excluded from the Will and wishes to contest its validity. This scenario leaves family members at odds with each other well after the assets of the estate are probated.
Following is a partial list of some of the reasons a Will may be contested:
- The Will was not properly executed
- The Will was forged
- The Will was signed under undue influence
- The Will was signed by a person in a questionable state of mind
The Last Will and Testament lawyers at the Madonna Law Group — primarily Daniel Dwyer — will draft your Last Will and Testament and ensure that it is properly executed so that your intent concerning the distribution of your assets is what takes place.
Call To Speak with an Estate Planning Attorney
Complete this simple form to request a meeting with an experienced Dade City & Zephyrhills wills/living wills attorney.
Or call (352) 567-0411 to schedule an appointment. We are located directly across the street from the Pasco County Courthouse.
The Madonna Law Group also represents clients involving Estate Planning matters in Hernando County, Sumter County, Citrus County and surrounding counties.
Regardless of your current age or health, ask yourself these two questions:
- Do I want a judge to determine how my estate is distributed after my death? (If no, then you have made the decision that you need to execute a valid Florida Last Will and Testament.
- Is there a family member that I wish to exclude from receiving benefits from my estate? (If yes, then you have made the correct decision in having a Florida Last Will and Testament to prevent this type of unwanted distribution.)