Sometimes life just slaps you straight in the face for no reason.  Just ask Justin Timberlake who was slapped in the face by a stranger while attending a golf tournament in Nevada this week.  JT didn’t press charges but the man was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.  The Grammy star didn’t let the slap stop him from enjoying the golf course although I’m sure he was startled by the unexpected hit.  That’s life, a series of expected and unexpected events.  This is just one of the many reasons why estate planning is so important.

Size doesn’t matter when talking about your estate.  Whether your estate is large or modest your priority should remain the same – to protect yourself and your family.  Estate Planning is the process of making arrangements during your life for either the disposal of property at your death or to ensure someone trusted is designated to care for you and your financial affairs should you be unable to do so yourself.  A properly executed estate plan can help save taxes, protect future generations from unsecured creditors, keep your wealth in the family for generations and guarantee that your assets are distributed to your children the same way they would have been if you were to remain alive.  The most popular tool for achieving these goals is the Revocable Living Trust.  The Revocable Living Trust will dictate how your assets will be distributed, allow for you to set restrictions on what age the beneficiaries must be to receive their share and even plan for those beneficiaries who may have special needs.  With your trust plan you will also receive the following documents to ensure ultimate protection:

Last Will and Testament: Nominate your Personal Representative, choose a Guardian for any minor child, and add any burial or cremation requests.

Living Will:  Advanced directive or “pull the plug” document.  Allows your healthcare surrogate to give the doctor the “ok” to pull the plug if you are being kept alive by artificial means.

Durable Power of Attorney:  Nominate an individual to make financial decisions on your behalf or qualify you for public benefits, should you not be in a position to do so yourself.

Healthcare Surrogate & HIPAA Release:  Nominate an individual to access your medical records and make informed decisions on your behalf, should you not be in a position to do so yourself.

Don’t wait until life smacks you in the face to react.  Be proactive today and call the South Florida Law Firm of Wild, Felice & Partners today for your free consultation at (954) 944-2855.  For more information on Estate Planning or Revocable Living Trusts, visit our website at www.wfplaw.com.

It’s A Wild World.  Are You Protected?  SM

Time to break out your red, white and blue gear and get your stomachs ready for some serious BBQ because July 4^th is right around the corner!  Most Americans will be celebrating Independence Day with good food, friends, family, flowing drinks and a fire work display.  Why not add an estate plan to the mix?

Unfortunately, it’s a common misconception that estate planning is just for the rich or elderly.  Estate planning is actually a necessary step for individuals of all ages, no matter what their economic status may be.  At a bare minimum, everyone should consider having a Will in place to designate guardians on behalf of minor children, spell out wishes for cremation or burial and include how you wish your assets to be distributed.  For business owners or individuals with a growing family, a Revocable Trust is always a great option since it details how, when and to whom the distributions will be made.  You can ensure your children finish college, have the funds for a first home or reach an age of maturity before inheriting a great deal of money.  Other important documents that everyone should have include the following:

Living Will:  This advanced directive is better known as the “pull the plug” document.  By signing a living will, your healthcare surrogate has the authority to tell the doctor to pull the plug and let you pass naturally.

Durable Power of Attorney:  Nominate who will continue to pay your bills, have access to your accounts and be able to make other important financial decisions on your behalf should you temporarily be unable to do so yourself.

Healthcare surrogate and HIPAA Release:  Decide in advance who will have access to your medical records and be responsible for making important healthcare decisions on your behalf should you be unable to do so yourself.

This 4^th of July, don’t just party because it’s Independence Day but celebrate because you know you, your family and future generations to come are fully protected.  Celebrate knowing you have achieved ultimate peace of mind through creating an estate plan.  Call the attorneys at Wild, Felice & Partners at (954) 944-2855 for your free consultation today.

For more information on Estate Planning, Asset Protection and Probate Administration, visit our website at www.wfplaw.com.

It’s A Wild World.  Are You Protected? SM