Estate Planning Attorneys serving Lakewood Ranch
Planning ahead is one of the most practical things you can do for your family. A well-built estate plan helps you stay in control during your lifetime, and it makes things easier for the people you love if something happens. It can also reduce confusion, conflict, and unnecessary court involvement.
At McNary Law, we help individuals and families in Lakewood Ranch 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 adding stress to your schedule.
Estate planning in Lakewood Ranch, what it usually includes
Estate planning is not just a will. Most people need a set of documents that work together based on their goals, family structure, and how assets are titled.
Here are the core tools we see most often:
Wills
A will directs who inherits, names the person responsible for handling the estate, and can include other instructions that matter to your family. 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, to reduce the need for 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 for you for financial and legal matters during your lifetime. This is a core part of incapacity planning.
Advance directives
Advance directives address health care decision-making and your wishes regarding medical care. Florida law recognizes and regulates advance directives.
Probate planning
Even when probate is expected, good planning can reduce delays and confusion. Florida’s probate statutes set the framework for administration.
Digital assets planning
Email accounts, cloud storage, subscriptions, and online financial access can turn into major headaches for families. Florida has a statute addressing fiduciary access to digital assets.
Lakewood Ranch planning issues we see all the time
Lakewood Ranch families come to estate planning with a wide range of goals, but a few concerns come up again and again:
- Keeping things simple for the family later. Clear documents reduce confusion and disputes.
- Planning for incapacity. If something happened tomorrow, who could legally handle finances and make medical decisions?
- Blended families and second marriages. Default inheritance rules are not tailored to modern families, so planning matters.
- Protecting children and dependents. Many families want guardrails, responsible decision-makers, and a plan that matches real life.
- Privacy and efficiency. Some families want to reduce court involvement where possible and keep personal details more private, depending on the assets and goals.
- Coordination across accounts. Beneficiary designations, jointly held property, and trust funding decisions all matter.
Wills vs. trusts, and why many plans use both
A will and a trust can both play important roles, but they serve different purposes.
When a will is the right fit
A will is often appropriate when your goals are straightforward, and you want clear instructions for what happens at death. A will can also nominate a personal representative and, when applicable, appoint guardians for minor children.
When a trust may be a better fit
A trust can be helpful when you want more control over distributions, want to plan for beneficiaries who need structure, or want to reduce the time and administrative friction of probate in many situations. Florida’s trust statutes govern the administration of trusts.
The practical reality for many Lakewood Ranch families
Many plans use both, along with incapacity documents, because no single document covers everything well. A coordinated plan usually includes a will or trust strategy, plus powers of attorney and advance directives, so your plan works during your lifetime and after.
Incapacity planning is the part most people overlook
Most people think estate planning is only about death. A good plan also covers what happens if you are alive but cannot make decisions.
Two areas matter most:
Financial decision-making
A durable power of attorney can allow someone you trust to manage bills, banking, property transactions, and other legal and financial tasks if you cannot.
Health care decisions
Advance directives can appoint a health care surrogate and communicate your wishes about medical treatment. Florida’s health care advance directive statutes provide definitions and structure for these documents.
For many clients, this is the part of the plan that creates the most immediate peace of mind.
Digital assets, because your life is online now
Your estate plan should not ignore your digital life. Email accounts, photo libraries, cloud storage, subscriptions, and password-protected financial access can become serious problems if no one has the authority to manage them.
Florida’s Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act provides a framework for fiduciaries seeking access. Still, good planning starts with making sure your documents and instructions line up with what your family will actually need.
Our estate planning process
We keep the process straightforward and client-friendly.
- Consultation and goals
We learn what matters to you, who you want to protect, and what concerns you wish to address. - Information gathering
We review what you own, how it is titled, and any existing planning documents. - Recommendations
We walk you through your options in plain language and recommend a plan that fits. - Drafting and review
You review drafts, ask questions, and we refine until it is right. - Signing and implementation
We execute documents properly and provide practical guidance on 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 backstop for assets that were never transferred into the trust.
What happens if I die without a will in Florida?
Florida intestate succession rules determine who inherits. That outcome can be very different from what you would choose.
Can I handle estate planning remotely if I live in Lakewood Ranch?
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 and advance directives for health care decision-making.
Does probate always happen?
Not always. It depends on what you own, how assets are titled, and whether tools like trusts or beneficiary designations apply. The Florida Probate Code governs probate administration in Florida.
Talk to a Lakewood Ranch estate planning attorney.
If you are ready to put your plan in place, we can help. Whether you need a will, a trust, powers of attorney, advance directives, or a coordinated strategy that ties it all together, McNary Law will walk you through the documents that align with your goals.