FLORIDA'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE ESTATE PLANNING SITE

 Register here for your Legacy Protection Record Keeper

Welcome to Estate Planning in Florida, a service of the Law Offices of Dean Hanewinckel, P.A., an Englewood, Florida estate planning attorney.

Estate planning is more than just drawing up a Will or Trust.  It's a well-planned and organized process to pass valuable assets you have acquired during your lifetime to your loved ones in the most efficient way possible.

These valuable assets include your home, other real estate, businesses, investments, personal property and even your experiences, life lessons and values.  

SCROLL DOWN

Scroll down to find helpful articles that walk you through the steps of planning your estate and address specific issues and concerns. As we are continually adding new information, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter.  Just fill in your name and e-mail address in the upper left hand corner and we'll send you regular updates about changes in the law and developments in estate planning.

Continue Scrolling down to learn about our estate planning process, THE LEGACY EXPERIENCE, a 4 step process to create your unique estate plan and fulfill your ultimate objective:  Peace of Mind.

Click to get Dean's new book!

Click to get Dean's new book!

Understandable

This site is designed to help you understand the estate planning process and to guide you through the steps necessary to efficiently plan your estate.  No legalese and stuffy lawyer language. 

Comprehensive

You will learn about the many tools available to you -- Wills, Trusts (Revocable and Irrevocable), Gifting Strategies, Transfer on Death Arrangements -- just to name a few.  We will explore the benefits and shortcomings of each tool and how it may fit into your estate planning.  We will also look at Florida law and the effect some of its unique laws, such as homestead and the elective share, have on your planning.

The process of estate planning starts with organizing your assets and important personal information.  Our Legacy Protection Record Keeper is a comprehensive resource to help you organize your estate and begin the estate planning process.  It's free, so fill in the box in the upper left hand corner and download it today.

Peace of Mind

One of the biggest benefits of estate planning is peace of mind.  You will have the confidence of knowing that your wishes will be carried out and your family and loved ones won't have to deal with the expense and aggravation of probate.

THE LEGACY EXPERIENCE

- The 4 Step Process to Create Your Estate Plan

Your estate plan in more than a briefcase full of documents.  It is a process that can very well define your legacy.

Estate and legacy planning leads to the last meaningful interaction you will have with your loved ones.  You won't be around for that last interaction, so it is important that you plan carefully.  Will you leave your family and friends with a process that is long, drawn out, aggravating and expensive?  Or will the experience be smooth, efficient and heartfelt?

THE LEGACY EXPERIENCE is a four step process to help you plan your estate so you will be confident that your unique objectives will be carried out in an efficient and compassionate manner.

1. Introduction and Preparation.

After setting up your appointment for our initial meeting, our office will send you a memo welcoming you to the Legacy Experience.  We will also give you an idea of what to expect at our initial meeting as well as a list of information we will need to create your unique estate plan.

2. Initial Meeting.

At the Initial Meeting we will get to know each other and you will learn about the estate planning process.  You will have all the time you desire to ask me any questions.  It is important to me that you are comfortable will all of the aspects of your estate plan.

We will also discuss your goals for your estate plan.  We'll talk about your unique family situation and how we can tailor a plan that meets your goals and addresses those issues.  I will also obtain information from you that I will use to prepare drafts of your estate planning documents.

3. Document Drafts and Refinement.

In most cases, our clients receive drafts of their estate planning documents within 7 to 10 days after the initial meeting.  We encourage you to review the drafts and ask any questions or advise us of any changes.  If you wish, we can set up a second meeting and review the documents together.

If changes to the documents are necessary, we will send you a second draft for your review.  It is important to me that you are comfortable with your estate plan and that it meets your goals and expectations.  At any time during this experience we encourage you to telephone, e-mail or meet with me to get answers to any questions you may have about the documents, or to make changes to them.

4. Execution and Funding.

When the documents meet your approval and all of your questions are answered, we will set up an appointment for you to execute your documents and transfer your assets into the trust.   We will have witnesses and a notary and will make sure that the documents are executed with the requirements and formalities of Florida law.  At that time we will also help you transfer your assets into the trust.  We will prepare deeds to transfer your Florida real estate into the trust and will assist you in working with your bankers and financial advisors as well as preparing the forms and providing the information necessary to transfer your financial accounts or beneficiary designations to the trust.

Also, we won't push you out the door and forget about you after you've signed your documents.  We will be here to answer additional questions, assist you in transferring new properties and accounts into the trust, and advise you regarding the amendment of your trust and documents.  Circumstances may change in your life, or the laws may be modified.  In those cases, it may be necessary for you to amend your documents to meet the new situation.  We will be available to help you.  We will also keep in touch with you through our website, social media, e-mail newsletter and mail to keep you up to date with the latest laws and trends in estate planning.  And when the day comes to use your documents to administer your estate, we will be here to assist your family and successor trustee.

Please give us a call at (941) 473-2828 to find out about the LEGACY EXPERIENCE.

Plan your estate now

with an Online Revocable Trust Package.