We know that organizing your will and estate may seem intimidating, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Fighter Law, our skilled estate planning lawyers will guide you through every step with clear, professional guidance tailored to your situation.
We’ll protect your family’s future while ensuring that your desires are respected with confidence and dignity. Schedule a free consultation with our skilled estate planning lawyers today.
Estate Planning Lawyer Orlando
Planning ahead protects your family, assets, and wishes. If you need an estate planning lawyer in Orlando, Fighter Law can help you create wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives—and guide your loved ones through probate when needed. With decades of combined experience, Thomas Fighter, Jessica Travis, and Clyde Lemon provide clear counsel and personalized plans.
Orlando Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Services
- Wills – simple wills, pour‑over wills, codicils
- Trusts – revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs & charitable trusts
- Comprehensive Estate Planning – asset protection, beneficiary designations, TOD/POD planning
- Guardianships – minor and adult/incapacity proceedings
- Probate – summary & formal administration, guidance for personal representatives
What Is Estate Planning?
Estate planning coordinates wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and lifetime directives so your property transfers efficiently—and with as little court involvement as possible. A thoughtful plan can help avoid probate, reduce delays, and protect loved ones.
Why Hire Fighter Law?
- Local experience. We regularly work with Central Florida courts and handle everything from drafting to probate.
- Tailored documents. Your will, living trust, and powers of attorney reflect your family, assets, and goals.
- Full-service support. We draft, help fund trusts, coordinate titles/beneficiaries, and update plans as life changes.
Wills in Florida
A will names beneficiaries, a personal representative, and—if applicable—a guardian for minor children. Florida law governs who may make a will and how to execute one properly (Fla. Stat. ch. 732).
Benefits of having a will
- Control. Decide who inherits and in what shares.
- Guardianship. Nominate a guardian for minor children.
- Clarity. Reduce family disputes and speed administration.
Trusts: Revocable & Irrevocable
A revocable living trust lets you manage property during life and transfer it privately at death—often without probate. Irrevocable trusts can add asset‑protection or tax features. Florida’s Trust Code (ch. 736) covers creation, modification, and trustee duties.
Common trust types
- Revocable living trust – avoid probate, maintain control.
- Irrevocable trust – potential asset protection and gifting strategies.
- Special needs trust – preserve eligibility for benefits.
- Charitable trust – support causes while providing planned‑giving advantages.
Advance Directives & Powers of Attorney
Good planning also covers incapacity. Florida recognizes durable powers of attorney (ch. 709) and health care advance directives—including a living will and designation of health care surrogate (ch. 765).
Avoiding Probate in Florida
Probate is the court‑supervised transfer of assets. Many families minimize or avoid it with the right tools: funded living trusts, TOD/POD designations, and joint ownership where appropriate. For an overview, see the Florida Courts probate resource here.
- Title assets to your trust and keep it updated.
- Use beneficiary designations on financial accounts.
- Consider TOD/POD for eligible assets.
- Coordinate deeds and ownership to match your plan.
FAQs: Orlando Estate Planning
How do I choose between a will and a living trust?
Most families benefit from both. A revocable living trust can avoid probate for properly funded assets, while a pour‑over will catches anything left outside the trust and names guardians for minors.
What does a durable power of attorney do in Florida?
It authorizes your agent to handle financial and legal matters if you can’t. Florida requires specific execution and powers (see ch. 709).
How long does probate take in Orlando?
It depends on the estate and whether formal or summary administration applies. Timelines range from a few months to a year or more. We can evaluate which process fits and whether assets can bypass probate.
Why Is It Important to Work With Estate Planning Lawyers Rather Than Trying to Do It Myself?
Estate planning attorneys provide substantial experience in both the law and the day-to-day administration of estates to safeguard your interests. An estate planning attorney makes certain that your documents are legally correct, specifically drafted to satisfy your needs, and takes into account complex issues such as tax savings, trusts, or guardianships. This prevents future conflict and expensive probate proceedings, giving you peace of mind.
How Do I Distinguish Between a Will and a Trust, and Do I Need Them Both?
A will mainly discusses the way your assets are divided and can designate guardians in case of minor children. A trust is an agreement that allows for the handling and maintenance of assets, typically providing greater privacy and avoiding the need for probate. Your Fighter Law wills and trusts attorney will review your situation and suggest the best approach to achieve your objectives.
How Do Probate and Estate Lawyers Help My Family When I Die?
Probate and estate attorneys guide your personal representative or executor through the probate court procedure, paying off debts, paying taxes, and dividing assets pursuant to your will or state law. This professional guidance prevents excessive stress and ensures legal requirements are correctly and effectively completed, protecting your family during a time of confusion.
How Do Guardianships Fit Into Estate Planning?
Guardianships are beneficial to parents or guardians who wish to appoint older adults to act as caregivers for minor children or dependents in case they are unable to do so themselves. Our estate law lawyers will assist in making arrangements in your will or estate plan to secure your children’s welfare and establish clarity for all concerned parties.
Can Estate Planning Lawyers Assist if My Situation Changes?
Yes. Marital status changes, divorce, the birth of children, and changes in your financial situation typically necessitate adjustments to your estate plan. Our estate planning lawyers review and update your documents periodically to ensure they are consistent with your wishes and current legislation, making your plan effective and up to date.
How Can I Ensure My Digital Assets and Online Accounts Are Handled Properly?
Most estate attorneys today include digital estate planning provisions, which stipulate the management of digital assets such as social media platforms, email, and internet banking accounts. Well-documented access and guidelines will enable your executor to dispose of these assets according to your wishes, while minimizing the chances of legal complications.
Secure Your Loved Ones’ Future With Confidence
Schedule a complimentary consultation with our skilled estate planning lawyers today. You can trust our experience and custom approach to develop a plan that meets your wishes and safeguards your loved ones.
Get Started With Estate Planning
Work With an Experienced Estate Planning Lawyer in Orlando
Whether you need a simple will, a living trust, or guidance from a probate attorney in Orlando, we’re ready to help. Call us or send a message—our team will listen, recommend the right strategy, and draft the documents to protect your family.
Related Fighter Law pages:
Estate Planning |
Probate |
Trusts |
Guardianships |
About Our Firm
