Tampa Wills & Trusts Lawyer
Estate law is the practice of law that deals with all aspects of estate planning, including preparing legal instruments, administering an estate, and probate litigation. Whether a person chooses to draft a will or create a trust depends largely on his or her specific circumstances, which makes it especially important for those considering estate planning to speak with an experienced Tampa wills & trusts lawyer who can explain the merits and drawbacks of each type of instrument.
Our Tampa wills & trusts lawyers have the experience and knowledge necessary to fulfill all of your estate planning needs. You have worked hard to build your life and you deserve to be able to relax and know that when you are gone your wishes will be honored regarding your property. Whether it is making sure that a family business is passed along to your children or that your property is divided up amongst charities of your choice, we can be of help.
Tampa Wills & Trusts
The Tampa estate planning lawyers at Bubley & Bubley, P.A. have built a practice around helping people just like you. Our firm focuses its work on estate planning, business law, and family law. This three pronged approach allows us to provide a full suite of services to meet all of our Tampa wills and trusts clients’ needs. Attorney Martin A. Bubley focuses his practice specifically on business transactions, estate planning, and probate law. He and his brother Daniel have been serving the Tampa community for over 20 years. Martin is a member of the Florida Bar Real Property, Probate & Trust Law section.
Drafting a Will
The person disposing of his or her assets through a will is known as a testator. However, testators can use wills for much more than leaving property to others. For instance, testators can name a personal guardian to care for his or her minor children, name someone to manage property left to minor children, and identify a personal representative who will ensure that the terms of a will are carried out. To create a valid will in Florida, a testator must comply with specific laws, including:
- Signing the document in the presence of two witnesses; and
- Obtaining the signatures of both witnesses.
Although testators are not required to have their will notarized, doing so can speed up the execution process. Once a person passes away, the person named as his or her executor must file the will in probate court, after which the assets will be transferred through the court-supervised probate process.
In Florida, if a person passes away without creating a will or a trust, his or her property will be distributed according to the state’s intestacy laws. Under these laws, a person’s property is distributed to the deceased’s closest relatives, beginning with his or her spouse and children. If it is discovered that a deceased had no living relatives by blood or marriage, the property will be given to the state. Creating a will ensures that even if a person has no relatives to whom he or she wishes to bequeath any assets, he or she can still give those assets to friends, loved ones, or charity. To ensure that your will fulfills all legal requirements, please contact an experienced Tampa wills and trusts attorney today.
