The Best Holiday Gift You May Have Never Considered

As you prepare for the holidays, what is foremost in your mind? Accommodations for all your visiting family, decorating the house with all things holiday, food preparations for family of all ages and gifts, gifts, gifts!!!  What gifts are you thinking about giving to all your loved ones?  We have an idea of the best holiday gift you have never considered that we would like to share with you.

What would be the best holiday gift you have never considered? It would be a comprehensive and completed Florida estate plan. Are you aware that less than half of all Americans have an estate plan?  In fact, Americans of all ages are included over the age of 18.  A Florida estate plan is a reflection of what you want most for yourself and your family, as well as your legacy. Now, we admit that our gift suggestion may be a bit unusual, however, we encourage you to read more about completing or updating your comprehensive Florida estate plan. We believe that it may be the best gift you will ever give to those you love and hold most dear.

As you think about your comprehensive Florida estate plan, is it up-to-date?  Or is your estate plan not a Florida estate plan but from another state? Now, as the year draws to a close and you think about the best holiday gift for your family, it would be a good opportunity to update your out-of-state will and make it a comprehensive Florida estate plan. As you prepare to accomplish this goal, have you ever considered these questions? If you were suddenly incapacitated due to a serious accident, diagnosis of a serious disease or surgery, who would make your healthcare decisions?   Who would have the legal authority to pay your bills?  Who would handle your business affairs?  Should your spouse or your adult children or someone else be in charge of your finances?  Someday will your retirement plans be able to support you as you age?

As you read the above questions and contemplate your answers, we can assure you that we hear those same questions and more from our clients and their family members every day. Most importantly, when it comes to Florida estate planning, you need to know your estate plan will work when you need it to, and we understand that.

No matter your age, another holiday gift to consider giving along with your Florida estate plan is the creation of a long-term care plan. Your Florida estate plan is a critical part of your health and well-being, the care of your family and the goal of your legacy.  However, we want you to know that there is a second planning component that needs to be addressed and completed as well. It is your elder law planning, which includes long-term care.  Most Americans will need some form of long-term care as they age. Many adults may not be old enough for any government benefits for this care. For senior adults most of this care is not covered by Medicare and, instead, will fall on the Florida senior to pay for out of pocket. We can assure you that with prior planning it does not have to be this way.  We can work with you to not only create your Florida estate plan but also a Florida long-term care plan that can protect the estate plan you are putting in place and allow you to be able to leave a legacy for your family, no matter your age or what the future holds. Now, if you already have an estate plan in place, a long-term care plan can be the best holiday gift you have never considered to give your loved ones.

Our estate planning law firm takes a very different approach from what you might have come to expect. Our goal is to create lifelong relationships with each of our clients, to guide and manage your legacy for the rest of your life. Please contact our offices in Stuart and in Palm City to learn more.