A Florida will form is no substitution for the professional legal advice of a probate attorney.  Although many find the convenience and affordability of downloading a Florida living will form to save time and money, these do-it-yourself (diy) ‘legal” documents don’t  account for the minor and major details involved in passing property to heirs and dependents.

That’s why legal counsel is critical to avoiding some of the Florida wills probate issues that create obstacles for heirs, such as taxation, paying debts and providing care for guardians..

For those Floridians who prefer to diy, with a Florida living form remember to appoint a representative to manage the estate. A representative does not have to be a relative. Some Floridians appoint a trust company or a banker to oversee the estate. Also, remember that it’s acceptable to give the representative limited authority.

As a Florida living will form is a template, it cannot account for every specific detail regarding taxes, guardianship, distribution of assets, donations and other financial details. With legislation in perpetual flux, a Florida living will form does not account for any tax law amendments.

• Some Florida law firms provide services, which entail the evaluation of a Florida living will form — for a nominal fee. An attorney can provide the best advice for minimizing a tax burden on heirs.

Don’t forget to name a guardian for any children under 18 years old.  It’s another reason that some Florida will probates become long arduous legal battles.

Without a proper Florida will, decedents lose the right to assign property as they see fit. By writing a Florida legal will, a testator has the ability to administer all belongings, such as antiques, real estate to vehicles according to his or her orders.

Even though Florida living will forms expedite a contingency plan, it’s prudent to have a lawyer who specializes in probate to review the final draft.