Illustrative Cases
A Few of the Situations We've Helped Solve
The Blended Family with Competing Interests
A couple came to us with a common but delicate situation: each had children from previous marriages, and they wanted to ensure both their current spouse and all their children were provided for fairly. The challenge was balancing the surviving spouse's financial security against the children's inheritance expectations — while preventing potential conflicts after they were gone. We designed a trust structure that guaranteed lifetime income and housing for the surviving spouse, with the remaining assets then passing to all the children in equal shares. Both spouses gained peace of mind knowing their wishes would be honored and family harmony preserved.
The Client Who Didn't Need a Trust
A client arrived convinced — based on advice from a television personality — that a revocable living trust was essential for their situation. After carefully reviewing their assets, family circumstances and goals, we discovered a much simpler and less costly solution would serve them better. Their home could be protected with a Lady Bird deed, their accounts already had proper beneficiary designations, and a straightforward will addressed everything else. We saved them thousands of dollars and the ongoing administrative burden of maintaining a trust they simply didn't need. Sometimes the best advice is knowing when less is more.
The Professional Who Needed Real Protection
A client in a high-liability profession came seeking a revocable living trust, believing it would shield their assets from potential lawsuits. After explaining that revocable trusts provide no creditor protection whatsoever — a common misconception — we designed a comprehensive asset protection strategy tailored to their actual needs. This included strategic use of Florida's generous exemptions, properly structured business entities, and an irrevocable trust that genuinely removed assets from their reachable estate. The client gained the protection they originally sought, built on a foundation of accurate legal understanding rather than misinformation.
Every case has its quirks. The key is calm, consistent problem-solving — and that's what the highly experienced attorneys at Florida Wills & Trusts℠ bring to every matter.