Florida Wills / Trusts / Estates

At My DUI Guy, P.A. we understand the how important proper stewardship is to you when it comes to managing your assets and what you have been blessed with. We also understand how important it is for you to have the peace of mind knowing your affairs are in order.

As a Former Circuit Court Judge who has presided over more than 48,000 cases, Attorney Scott DuPont has handled thousands of cases and hearings involving Wills, Trusts and Estate issues.

We represent clients on all types of Wills, Trust, and Probate issues including but not limited to:

  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Probate Administration
  • Power of Attorneys
  • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Living Wills
  • Revocable Trusts
  • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Life Insurance Trusts
  • Pour-Over Wills
  • Health Care Surrogates
  • Pre-Need Guardianships
  • Will/Trust Interpretation
  • Will/Trust Amendments
  • Estate Planning

You can learn more about Wills, Trusts, and Estates below. If you need legal advice or representation in a Will, Trust, or Estate issue, we invite you to contact My DUI Guy, P.A. in St. Augustine.

Florida Wills

A Will is a legal document setting out who will be beneficiaries of your estate, how and when they receive their inheritance. Any person who is 18 years of age or older and who is of sound mind may make a Will. If you do not have a Will, the state determines who, if anyone, is entitled to receive your estate after your death.

Why have a Will? There are many good reasons why you should have a Will, but some of the best reasons are because a Will makes your wishes known to your loved ones, it allows you to choose who you want to settle your affairs on your behalf, it allows you to decide who will receive your assets and when, and it allows you to appoint a Guardian for your children.

Florida Trusts

A Trust is a fiduciary arrangement that allows a third party, or trustee, to hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary or beneficiaries. Trusts can be arranged in many ways and can specify exactly how and when the assets pass to the beneficiaries.

Since Trusts usually avoid probate, your beneficiaries may gain access to these assets more quickly than they might to assets that are transferred using a Will. Additionally, if it is an irrevocable Trust, it may not be considered part of the taxable estate, so fewer taxes may be due upon your death.

Assets in a Trust may also be able to pass outside of probate, saving time, court fees, and potentially reducing estate taxes as well.

Why have a Trust? There are many good reasons why you should have a Trust, but some of the best reasons are because it allows you to control your wealth, gives you protection for your legacy, gives you privacy from the public, and gives you tax savings.

Florida Probate

Probate is defined as the legal process by which the assets of a deceased are properly distributed (if he or she made a Will) to the beneficiaries or heirs through an executor named in the Will, or (if he or she died without a Will) according to the local law by a court appointed administrator.

The court's objective is to ensure that the deceased's debts, taxes, and other valid claims are paid out of his or her estate (probate assets) before any distribution is made to the estate's beneficiaries, in accordance with the Will (if it exists) or on the orders of the court (if it doesn't).

Two of the downsides to Probate are that the proceedings are a public process and may take years if disputes about claims arise.

Let Us Give You The Peace of Mind of Knowing Your Family Affairs Are In Order

My DUI Guy, P.A., a St. Augustine law firm, proudly serves clients in St. Johns County and throughout Florida. If you need legal advice or representation in any Will, Trust, or Estate issue, contact My DUI Guy, P.A. and Let Us Give You the Peace of Mind Knowing Your Family Affairs Are In Order.