So, everyone’s familiar with Kristen Stewart’s new popular movie Snow White and the Huntsman. Like the bloodthirsty queen in her hunt for eternal power, proper estate planning documents can provide you with the best asset protection so you can have power and control from the grave or… glass coffin . Like the queen who seeks Snow White’s heart in order to remain the fairest of them all, there are four key documents that lie at the heart of estate planning.

1. Last Will and Testament– this legal document sets forth how and to whom your assets will be distributed. It sets forth who the appointed personal representative of your estate is, and if you have minor children, who will be their guardians. Without a properly executed Will, your assets may pass through Florida’s laws of intestacy.

2. Durable Power of Attorney– this critical document allows you to nominate a person who will have power to make all non-medical decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated. For example, they can pay your bills, manage your bank accounts, and run your business.

3. Designation of Health Care Surrogate– this document allows you to designate someone to make medical decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated. If you do not designate someone, the court might appoint someone to make the decisions for you. The courts’ choice might be against your wishes and extremely costly.

4. Living Will– This relates to “end of life” decisions. In the event you are in an “end stage condition” or a permanent vegetative state, you can include instructions that let your loved ones and caregivers know whether or not you wish to be kept artificially alive by machines.

Create your fairytale estate plan today by including all these critical documents. It’s a good feeling to know that with a solid estate plan in place you will have your family members well protected. Then, when it is your time to look into the magic mirror of death, you can be sure that you are the fairest of them all.

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and probate techniques, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Partners, P.A. at 954-944-2855 or via email at info@wfplaw.com to schedule your free consultation.

It’s a Wild world.  Are you protected?