Whether a cabinet, desk, bookshelf, or some other “do-it-yourself-assembly-required” project, I can guaranty allocating a good part of the day piecing it together. Though some may have a knack for quickly maneuvering the course of assembly, I personally must thoroughly read all the instructions, carefully lay out all the hardware and pieces, and slowly proceed step-by-step from start to completion.
Google “prepare a Last Will”, and any number of “do-it-yourself” sites pop up. Though a few individuals may be able to effectively maneuver this process, most of us will misassemble a Last Will without carefully studying, and understanding, the “instructions”: Florida law.
Let’s say Mr. Igotthis pulls up a Last Will do-it-yourself site online. Mr. Igotthis is divorced, has remained single, and has a 15-year-old son who has disowned his dad since the divorce. Mr. Igotthis owns and resides in a condo in Clearwater. The Last Will Mr. Igotthis puts together from the online do-it-yourself site looks like this:
(a) He names his best friend from college who lives in Ohio as his personal representative.
(b) He gives his condo to his sister.
(c) He gives to his sister his one-half interest in an Ocala ranch he owns with his brother as a joint tenant with rights of survivorship.
(d) As he no longer wants his ex-wife and son to be the designated beneficiaries under his IRA, he gives his IRA to his sister.
For purposes of this example, suppose Mr. Igotthis signed his Last Will exactly as Florida law requires and that none of the circumstances described above have changed. If Mr. Igotthis dies in a car accident on the way home from the bank where he signed his Last Will, how many of the items in (a) through (d) above will be enforced?
If you need assistance with drafting a Last Will you know complies with the “instructions” of Florida law, or with any of your other estate planning needs, at Bob Bible Law, we have the knowledge and over 30 years experience to help you navigate and structure a comprehensive and enforceable estate plan.
For more information, contact Robert W. Bible, Jr., Attorney At Law at 727/538-7739 (office), 727/710-5166 (cell) or by email at: b.bible@BobBibleLaw.com; www.BobBibleLaw.com