Estate Planning Attorneys serving Bradenton
Planning is one of the most practical things you can do for the people you love. A solid estate plan helps you stay in control during your lifetime, and it makes life easier for your family if something happens. It can also prevent confusion, conflict, and unnecessary court involvement.
At McNary Law, we help individuals and families in Bradenton and across Manatee County create estate plans that fit real life. Clear documents. Thoughtful options. No fluff. Many services can be handled remotely, so you can move forward without rearranging your schedule.
Estate planning in Bradenton, what it usually includes
Estate planning is not just a will. Most people need a set of documents that work together. Your plan should reflect your goals, your family structure, and how your assets are actually titled.
Common estate planning documents include:
Wills
A will directs who will receive your assets and who will be responsible for managing the process. It can also nominate a guardian for minor children. Florida’s probate code governs wills and estate administration.
Trusts
A trust can be used to control how and when assets are distributed, and in many situations, it can reduce the amount of court-supervised probate administration. Florida’s trust code governs the creation and administration of trusts.
Powers of attorney
A power of attorney gives someone legal authority to act on your behalf for financial and legal matters while you are alive. This is a core part of incapacity planning.
Advance directives
Advance directives address health care decisions and end-of-life preferences. These documents are governed by Florida’s health care advance directive statutes.
Probate planning
Even when probate is expected, good planning can reduce delays and confusion. Florida’s probate code lays out the procedures and requirements.
Digital assets planning
If you have email, cloud storage, photo libraries, or online financial accounts, your estate plan should consider digital access. Florida has a statute addressing fiduciary access to digital assets.
Bradenton and Manatee County concerns we see all the time
People come to estate planning for different reasons, but a few themes show up repeatedly for Bradenton families:
- Avoiding a mess later. Clear documents reduce confusion and disputes.
- Blended families and second marriages. Planning matters because default rules are not designed for modern family structures.
- Planning for incapacity. If something happens tomorrow, who can manage finances and make medical decisions today?
- Protecting children and dependents. Many families want guardrails and responsible decision-makers.
- Privacy and efficiency. Trust planning can help families keep details more private and reduce court involvement, depending on the situation.
- Keeping things organized. A good plan includes practical guidance, not just legal paperwork.
Wills vs. trusts, and why many plans use both
A will and a trust can each be valid, but they solve different problems.
When a will is the right fit
A will is often appropriate when your assets and goals are straightforward, and you want clear instructions for how property should pass at death. It also allows you to nominate a personal representative and, when applicable, nominate guardians for children.
When a trust may be a better fit
A trust may be helpful when you want more control over distributions, want to plan for a beneficiary who needs structure, or want to reduce the time and cost of probate administration. The Florida Trust Code governs trust administration in Florida.
The practical reality
Many families use a combination of documents because life is complicated. Even a trust-focused plan often includes a will, plus powers of attorney and health care documents, so your plan works during your lifetime and after.
Incapacity planning is the part most people overlook
Most people think about estate planning as “what happens when I die.” A good plan also covers “what happens if I am alive but cannot make decisions.”
Two significant areas matter:
Financial authority
A durable power of attorney can allow someone you trust to handle banking, bills, property, and other financial matters if you are unable to do so.
Health care authority and wishes
Advance directives can appoint a health care surrogate and communicate your preferences about medical treatment. Florida law addresses advance directives and related definitions.
This is often the part of planning that creates the most immediate peace of mind, because it protects you and reduces the risk of family conflict in a crisis.
Digital assets, your life is online now.
Your estate plan should not ignore your digital life. Email accounts, online subscriptions, cloud photo storage, social media, and password-protected financial access can become serious problems for families if no one has the authority to manage them.
Florida’s Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act provides a framework for how fiduciaries may request access, but good planning starts with making sure the right people have the proper authority and guidance.
Our Bradenton estate planning process
We keep the process straightforward and client-friendly.
- Consultation and goals
We learn what matters to you: family, assets, concerns, and priorities. - Information gathering
We review what you own, how it is titled, and any existing documents. - Recommendations
We walk you through options, then propose a plan that fits your goals. - Drafting and review
You review drafts, ask questions, and we refine the plan until it is right. - Signing and implementation
We execute documents properly and guide next steps, such as beneficiary updates or trust funding, when applicable.
Many services can be handled remotely depending on the documents and your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a will if I have a trust?
Sometimes, yes. Many trust-based plans still include a will for specific legal purposes and as a backup for assets that were not properly transferred.
What happens if I die without a will in Florida?
Florida intestate succession rules determine who inherits, which can be very different from what you would choose.
Can I handle estate planning remotely if I live in Bradenton or Manatee County?
Often, yes. Many steps can be completed remotely, depending on the documents and signing requirements.
What documents help if I become incapacitated?
Most people consider a power of attorney for financial matters and advance directions.
How does probate work in Manatee County?
Florida’s probate code governs probate administration and is typically filed through the county clerk’s probate department.
Talk to a Bradenton estate planning attorney.
If you are ready to get your plan in place, we can help. Whether you need a will, a trust, powers of attorney, advance directives, or a coordinated strategy that covers all of it, McNary Law will walk you through it clearly and build documents that can be handled remotely.