Will and Trust Attorney in St. Petersburg and Venice, FL
Will & Trust Lawyer Serving St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Venice, North Port, Englewood, Sarasota/Bradenton, and throughout Manatee, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Charlotte, and Sarasota Counties.
Robert Cemovich understands the confusion you are facing when contemplating how to go about putting your affairs in order. There are many estate planning documents to consider. Robert will guide you through the options, help you choose which documents are right for your particular situation, and expertly prepare them to the best advantage of yourself and your beneficiaries.
With over 25 years of experience as an attorney, Robert can prepare a wide range of legal documents for both U.S. and non-U.S. clients’ estate planning needs. These documents include:
- Wills
- Revocable Trusts
- Durable Powers of Attorney
- Advance Healthcare Directives (Living Wills and Health Care Surrogate Designations)
Rates & Fees
Robert prides himself in providing high quality legal services for a very reasonable and competitive fee. All fees are discussed and agreed upon upfront. We provide a free phone consultation to answer all your questions. Consultations are always confidential.
Speak with a Florida Will and Trust Attorney
Call Robert Cemovich at 727.490.7779 or fill out this form to schedule a free legal consultation.
Will Preparation
A will is a written document signed by an individual (a “testator”) before witnesses that meets the requirements of Florida law. In his or her will, the testator can name the beneficiaries who are to receive his probate assets when he or she dies. The testator can also designate a personal representative (an “executor”) of his or her choosing to administer the probate estate.
Hiring an experienced attorney to prepare your last will and testament will ensure that the document is prepared properly and in a manner that best articulates your wishes.
Revocable Living Trusts
A trust is created and signed by a “grantor”. Created during a grantor’s lifetime, a revocable living trust allows the grantor to transfer his or her assets to the trust, which is a separate legal entity. A revocable living trust allows the grantor to set up a more flexible estate plan to fit his or her unique needs and wishes. A living trust controls the grantor’s assets and property and provides for his family after the grantor’s death.
One common benefit of a living trust is that it helps prevent the estate from going through the probate process in the courts. This can save a considerable amount of time and burden for the grantor’s family members. Use of a revocable living trust instead of a will to transfer assets is popular because, unlike estate administration, trust administration and distributions usually can be done without involving the court. During the grantor’s lifetime, he or she can change the trust document, add or remove assets or even revoke it.
Durable Powers of Attorney
A Durable Power of Attorney is signed by a principal who gives an agent the right to act on the principal’s behalf. The power of attorney may be very broad or it may be limited to certain specific acts, such as selling a particular property.
Power of Attorney vs. Durable Power of Attorney
A power of attorney usually terminates if the principal becomes incapacitated, unless it is a “Durable Power of Attorney.” A Durable Power of Attorney remains effective even if a person becomes incapacitated, subject to certain exceptions. A durable power of attorney must contain language that specifically states the power survives the incapacity of the principal. Most Powers of Attorney granted today are durable.
Advance Healthcare Directives
For his estate planning clients, Robert also prepares a living will and a healthcare surrogate designation, both of which are commonly referred to as “advance healthcare directives” because they are made in advance of incapacity or need.
Living Wills
When you sign a living will, you express your wishes as to the administration or termination of medical procedures in the event you are diagnosed with a terminal condition, have an end-stage condition, or are in a persistent vegetative state. A living will is a legally enforceable document that helps make sure your wishes are honored if you are unable to communicate with a doctor.
Health Care Surrogate Designations
Similarly, a Health Care Surrogate Designation is a document in which you designate someone else to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make those decisions.
Do you have questions or concerns regarding wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney or other estate planning documents?
Schedule a free case evaluation online
Or call Robert at:
727.490.7779 (St. Petersburg)
941.485.9797 (Venice)
As a Will and Trust Attorney in St. Petersburg and Venice, Robert has prepared estate planning documents for many clients in Southwest Florida and internationally.
About Cemovich Law Firm, P.A.
The Cemovich Law Firm, P.A. is a boutique law firm in St. Petersburg and Venice, Florida, assisting clients in Manatee, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Charlotte, and Sarasota Counties and worldwide with their will and trust, and estate planning needs.