Estate Planning

Jacksonville, Florida, Estate Planning and Asset Protection Lawyer

A comprehensive estate plan can set forth how to deal with various issues upon your death. While few want to think of their passing, I encourage my clients to establish an estate plan. The Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A. in Jacksonville, Florida, can help you with your estate planning needs.

Estate Planning for All Walks of Life

One of the most common misconceptions about estate planning is that you have to be rich and famous to have an estate plan. Estate planning is for people from all walks of life. Having an estate plan in place will give you the peace of mind that your loved ones will not have to deal with how to organize your assets and finances, while also grieving for your death. Whether it is a simple will or a complex estate plan for a high net worth individual, the Law Office of Douglas A. Oberdorfer, P.A. can help you. I routinely work with a network of tax professionals who can consult on your estate plan to make sure your assets are protected, and everything is done within applicable federal and state tax laws.

Medical Power of Attorney and Living Will

An estate plan is not necessarily about money and possessions. You can also establish a plan that provides a health care surrogate or an advanced health care directive in the event of an unexpected illness or incapacity. These documents can set forth how to handle health care decisions if you are unable to make them, and explain your healthcare wishes if you are unable to explain them. If you have a wish to not be kept alive via life support or wish to refuse resuscitation efforts, you need to make that clear in writing. A living will, in which you can direct that your life not be artificially prolonged by extraordinary measures in certain situations, can prevent any unnecessary litigation related to your health care.

Determining Guardianship

If you have minor children, you may want to express your wishes as to who will care for the children in the event of your death in writing. While such a provision is not automatically binding, it does carry weight as the court determines the best interest of the child. I have helped clients draft estate plans that strictly adhere to Florida law.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment to establish your estate plan, please contact me.