Wills, Probate

Trusts, Estate Planning

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

Personal Representative

We recently completed a new will and trust with Heidi Webb, attorney in Daytona Beach. Even though we had these documents from another state, they needed to be replaced to comply with Florida laws. When we met with Heidi, she reviewed our documents, explained what needed to be done and why, and answered all our questions and concerns. Where other lawyers said what we should do, Heidi asked us what we wanted to do and then explained pros and cons. We never felt rushed and she gave us all the time we needed to make our final decisions. Her professionalism, interest in her clients, friendly personality and care went a long way to making the whole process easy and very pleasant. We highly recommend Heidi Webb for your estate planning needs.

~ Daniel R

I recently had a difficult legal matter dealing with Trusts and Power of Attorney concerning my elderly parents. Heidi immediately took on the task with calmness and reassurance – and I felt things would work out – and they did. It was her priority to get everything in order and quickly. Heidi is a great person and cares deeply for her clients. I would highly recommend her. Thank you for a job well done.

 

~ Ron O

Red Flags to Look for When Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney

Estate Planning is not black and white or an easy area of law to navigate by yourself without legal counsel. Estate Planning is an area of the law that can have everlasting (and devastating) effects on you and your loved one’s future. As with any legal matter, it is essential to remember to choose a lawyer that specializes in the field that you need assistance. As you would not ask your electrician to fix your broken toilet, selecting a specific attorney in their area of expertise is incredibly important.

Here are some other red flags and things to avoid when you are hiring an estate planning attorney:

Non-Licensed Attorneys

It may seem obvious that when you are making an estate plan, it is essential to seek proper legal advice. Only a licensed attorney can legally give you advice on how to best protect your assets from taxes, probate, and the costs of long-term care. The results of the unauthorized practice of law can be disastrous.

One-Size-Fits-All Planning

There are many general practitioners or legal document websites that can provide you with a basic and non-customized Last Will & Testament for a minimal cost. Be aware that these documents are usually entirely composed of general language and fail to address any individual or state law issues. You are putting yourself in the position to plug in your name and general information and hope for the best. Every family and situation is unique and each estate plan must be customized to account for the differences. Attorneys who truly focus on estate planning can provide an adequately customized plan which specifically addresses your needs and goals based on where you are in life.  

Big Picture Attorney

An extra bonus is an attorney who also does some Probate and/or Trust Administration —now there’s an attorney who actually sees how their [and others] Estate Plans play out.  MOST of the Formal Probates I do are the result of a flawed Estate Plan generated by either a website, a DIYer or what I refer to as a “Will Mill” —a practice that doesn’t give any thought to their client’s individual circumstances or what the practical result of putting a client’s request into their Will will be.

Carefully selecting the right attorney for the job has a monetary and potentially poignant impact down the road. Take the time to research your options and be sure to consult with a professional who is experienced and proficient in the field of Estate Planning. 

 

 

 

 

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