Most people know they need an estate plan. They just keep putting it off. The paperwork feels complicated, the decisions feel heavy, and it is easy to assume that what you have in place is probably fine. The problem is that “probably fine” is not the same as “will actually work when your family needs it.”

A Florida estate plan typically includes four core documents: a last will and testament, a durable power of attorney, a healthcare directive, and in many cases a revocable living trust. What you actually need depends on your specific situation, your family structure, the nature and value of your assets, and how your property is currently titled. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and an attorney who tells you otherwise before asking about your situation is not doing their job.

Florida law adds layers of complexity that catch people off guard. The state’s homestead rules are among the most specific in the country. If you are married and own your home as homestead property, you cannot simply leave it to your children or to anyone other than your spouse without triggering forced-share claims under Florida law, even if your will says otherwise. A trust drafted in another state may not preserve your Florida homestead exemption unless its language specifically addresses Florida’s constitutional requirements. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies operate completely outside your will, which means an outdated designation can override your carefully drafted estate plan entirely.

These are not edge cases. They are the failure points Matt Weidner sees when families come to him after a plan has already broken down. Having spent decades litigating contested wills, trusts, and estates in Florida courts, Matt drafts estate planning documents with a specific awareness of where they fail and why. That is a different kind of planning than what most attorneys offer, and for families with real assets, real property, and real relationships at stake, it is the kind that holds up.

If you have been meaning to get your plan in place, the free planning session with Matt Weidner is the right starting point. You will come away with a clear picture of what your situation actually requires, and what you can skip.