Wills, Probate

Trusts, Estate Planning

210 South Beach Street, Suite 202
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386) 257-3332

Personal Representative

In a time of sadness & grief, I searched the area for an attorney who would work with me and my budget. After the first call with Mrs. Heidi, I knew that I had found someone who truly cared, who was understanding and patient with my circumstances. She knew that I did not know much about the probate court (I felt so lost and defeated) and she went over and above to explain it all to me and what was going to be happening in the upcoming months. Probate court is not something that happens quickly, my family & I were out of our home for months on end and Mrs. Heidi did everything she could to expedite the process of us moving back in. She provided us with all the information, communicated everything with us as she found out and made the (tough) process so smooth. She is super knowledgeable in her scope and works thoroughly on the documents needed. I am very very grateful my family and I chose Heidi and I strongly recommend anyone who needs Estate Planning to inquire with her.
Not to mention, everyone who works in her office and beside of her is equally as amazing as she is. Her office staff was simply dedicated, always pleasant, compassionate, and kindhearted. They made me feel like we've been friends forever. They communicated with me & sympathized with me, they treated me like a person they loved, not just another customer, and they truly cared about how I was doing despite what I was going through at the time. I applaud them and Mrs. Heidi tremendously for everything they have done for us.
There are not enough words that could show my true appreciation and thankfulness for this group of people and this office.

~ Briana L

Ms. Webb was wonderful handling affairs for my husband and I. She was efficient, professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and we were highly pleased. Her staff could not have been nicer. She has our highest recommendation.

~ Joann C

Estate Planning Pitfalls

Estate Planning Pitfalls Part 2

 

Last month I started what I consider one of my most important posts –a series regarding the

Estate Planning Pitfalls

There are numerous pitfalls of which you need to be aware regarding your Estate Plan.

most common pitfalls I see in Estate Planning.

Part two of my multi-part blog series discusses the pitfall of failing to keep a current/updated Will. This is probably one of the easiest pitfalls to avoid and the most common blunder I see by other people’s clients.  I tell my clients to come see me to review everything EVERY three years whether they think they need it or not —to encourage this practice I personally do not charge for these “check-ins” but even if your attorney charges you, go –it’s money well spent.   

Case Study:  Estate Planning Pitfall #2– Failing to Maintain an Updated Will

I was hired by a young man whose father had recently passed after a lengthy battle with illness, he had two half-siblings

There are numerous pitfalls of which you need to be aware regarding your Estate Plan.

out of state, the decedent had some property here, some property out of state, an ex-girlfriend living in his home.  All a recipe for a convoluted case at best case.  This will be compounded because although Father had resided in Florida for quite some time his antiquated Will was drafted in another state nearly a decade before his death.

To add insult to injury, because the Will was self-prepared on a form purchased at an office supply store it provided for very specific bequests to each of his 3 children and a close friend.  It did not provide for his residuary Estate —what could be called the “everything else” clause.  And a decade later all but one of the properties left to his beneficiaries was long gone and his “everything else” is everything and now left to chance.  The Will also provided for a Personal Representative who lived 2000 miles away and who likely will not want to be in charge of the circus that is about to commence with a bunch of heirs who don’t have a relationship and no clear instructions.

This case hasn’t ended yet but it’s going to be a long haul and could have been very easily avoided if he had just updated his Will prior to passing.

And so, even with a seemingly simple estate—say, you “just” own a bank account and a house—it’s crucial to keep an updated will or a living trust or otherwise Probate Proof yourself.   These scenarios can be avoided with the advice of an Estate Planning Attorney –so have your Estate Planning reviewed every three years or when life changes happen [beneficiaries pass away, children are born, divorce occurs, assets are sold, to name a few] and failing to do so can have unintended consequences.

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