Protect Your Family’s Future With Estate Planning in Sunrise, FL
Making decisions about your family’s future brings stress and uncertainty. You want to protect your loved ones and work to ensure your wishes are honored, but the legal process can feel overwhelming. At The Law Office of Michael R. Vines, P.A., we put your needs first. Our attorney provides caring and knowledgeable legal guidance to clients throughout Sunrise, Florida, helping you create solid plans that protect what matters most.
Michael Vines, our founding attorney, brings over 25 years of experience serving South Florida families. He focuses on estate planning, probate and real estate matters while delivering the personalized attention each client deserves. We serve clients in Sunrise, Plantation, Davie and Weston with the experienced legal support they need. Whether you need help creating a will, establishing a trust or navigating probate, we guide you through each step with clarity and compassion.
Common Questions About Estate Planning In Sunrise
Our clients often have similar concerns when they first contact us. Here are answers to the questions we hear most frequently.
What happens to my property if I pass away without a will in Sunrise?
Florida law dictates how the Broward County probate court distributes your assets when you die without a valid will. Under Florida law, if you die without a valid will and leave behind a surviving spouse as well as children from a previous relationship, your property is divided by law. Your spouse receives exactly one-half of the intestate estate, and your children receive the remaining half. This legal process follows a strict family hierarchy that may not match your personal wishes.
Do all estates in Broward County have to go through the public probate process?
No. The probate court only handles assets you own solely in your name at death. Life insurance policies, 401(k)s and IRAs with designated beneficiaries bypass probate entirely. Property you own jointly with right of survivorship transfers directly to the surviving owner. Assets titled under a living trust also avoid the probate court and pass directly to your heirs.
How does a revocable living trust help my family avoid the probate court?
A revocable living trust transfers ownership of your assets, your house, bank accounts and investments into the trust while you’re still alive. The trust owns these assets instead of you personally. When you pass away, your hand-picked successor trustee distributes the assets to your beneficiaries privately. This process avoids the time delays and public records of the Broward County court system.
Start Planning For Your Family’s Future Today
Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. Contact The Law Office of Michael R. Vines, P.A., at 954-902-4841 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation with a Sunrise estate planning attorney who puts your needs first.