Estate Planning

Estate Planning is not about death. it is about love. it is a declaration of how much you value the people in your life, and a commitment to protecting them even when you can no longer speak for your self.

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at bechert & associates, we believe everyone, from young families to retired professionals, deserve an estate plan that reflects their values, protects their assets, and prevents the unnecessary heartbreak of a contested estate or a lengthy probate process.

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our pompano beach estate planning attorneys bring over 30 years of florida law experience to every plan we create. aV-rated, personally attentive, and deeply familiar with florida's unique laws, we build a plan that works.

What is Estate Planning in Florida?

Estate planning in Florida is the legal process of arranging how your assets will be managed, protected, and distributed during your lifetime and after your death. A comprehensive Florida estate plan typically includes a Last Will and Testament, a Revocable Living Trust, a Durable Power of Attorney, a Healthcare Surrogate Designation, and a Living Will (Advance Directive).
Florida has specific laws governing homestead property, spousal rights, elective shares, and the probate process that make working with a Florida-licensed estate planning attorney essential. A generic online form cannot account for these nuances.

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Our Estate Planning Services

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Last Will and Testament
A properly drafted Florida will ensures your assets go to the people you choose, designates a personal
representative to manage your estate, and critically names a guardian for minor children. Without
a valid will, Florida's intestacy laws decide who receives your property. We ensure your wishes are honored.

Revocable Living Trust
A living trust allows your estate to transfer to your beneficiaries without going through probate the
often lengthy and costly court process of validating a will. For South Florida residents with real property,
investment accounts, or significant assets, a living trust frequently saves families tens of thousands of
dollars and months of delay. We assess your specific situation and recommend the right structure.

Durable Power of Attorney
Who will manage your finances if you become incapacitated? A durable power of attorney designates a
trusted person to pay your bills, manage investments, and handle banking without the need for costly
guardianship proceedings. This document is not optional it is essential.

Healthcare Surrogate & Living Will
If you cannot speak for yourself in a medical crisis, who will? A Healthcare Surrogate Designation
appoints the person you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf. A Living Will (Advance Directive) specifies your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment. Together, these documents spare your family an agonizing burden during an already devastating moment.

Asset Protection Planning
High-net-worth individuals and business owners face unique risks. We design asset protection strategies including irrevocable trusts, business entity structuring, and homestead optimization that shield your wealth from creditors, lawsuits, and predatory claims. Florida's robust homestead and exemption laws offer significant protection when properly leveraged.

Beneficiary Review & Plan Updates
An estate plan is not a one-time event. Major life changes marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the
death of a beneficiary, significant changes in assets require a plan review. We offer ongoing counsel
to ensure your plan always reflects your current wishes and circumstances.

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What Happens Without an Estate Plan in Florida?

Without a will or trust in place, Florida's intestacy statutes determine who receives your estate. This may not align with your wishes. Your assets could pass entirely to a spouse even if you intended to provide for children from a prior marriage. A business partner could lose access to company assets during a critical period. A family member you specifically intended to exclude could inherit. Additionally, without a proper estate plan, your estate will almost certainly go through probate a public, court-supervised process that typically takes 12 to 24 months in Broward County and costs
3–5% of your estate's gross value in attorney's fees and court costs. A living trust avoids this entirely. Our attorneys have guided hundreds of South Florida families through estate planning and cleaned up the expensive messes created when families waited too long. The best time to create your plan was yesterday. The second-best time is today.