Estate Planning & Probate Lawyers in Jacksonville

Your family’s financial future deserves a plan that holds up. At Lansing Roy, P.A., we’ve helped Jacksonville residents protect their assets, document their wishes, and navigate the probate process since 1996. Whether you’re drafting your first will or helping settle a loved one’s estate, we can walk you through every step.

Without a valid estate plan in place, Florida’s intestate succession laws determine how your assets are distributed after you pass, regardless of what you intended. That outcome can surprise families and create disputes that take months or years to resolve. A properly drafted estate plan puts you in control.

For assistance with drafting an estate plan or the probate process, call (904) 574-5499 or contact us online.

Estate Planning Services in Jacksonville

Estate planning isn’t only for large estates or older adults. Anyone with assets, minor children, or strong preferences about their medical care benefits from having the right documents in place. We work with each client to build a plan that fits their specific circumstances and update it as life changes.

The core documents in a Florida estate plan include:

• Last Will & Testament: Names your beneficiaries, designates an executor to manage your estate, and can name a guardian for minor children.
• Revocable Living Trust: Allows assets to pass to your beneficiaries outside of probate, keeping the process faster and more private.
• Durable Power of Attorney: Designates a trusted person to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may need to pursue a court-ordered guardianship in Florida.
• Healthcare Surrogate Designation & Advance Directive: Tells your medical providers and family what care you want if you can’t communicate your wishes yourself.
• Lady Bird Deed (Enhanced Life Estate Deed): Lets you retain control of your property during your lifetime while automatically transferring it to a named beneficiary at death, bypassing probate on that asset.

These documents need to be drafted carefully to hold up under Florida law and should be revisited whenever your circumstances change, such as after a marriage, divorce, new child, or significant shift in your assets.

Navigating the Probate Process in Florida

Probate is the judicial process of administering a person’s estate after they pass. As your probate counsel, our job is to guide the personal representative and beneficiaries through this process as efficiently as possible and get assets to the right parties without unnecessary delay.

Florida recognizes two types of probate administration:

• Summary Administration: A streamlined option available when the total estate value subject to administration is $75,000 or less (excluding exempt property), or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years.
• Formal Administration: Required for larger or more complex estates. It involves appointing a personal representative, notifying creditors, and distributing assets under court supervision.

The right path depends on the size and complexity of the estate. A well-structured estate plan can reduce or eliminate the need for formal probate, which benefits your heirs considerably. Our team also handles probate litigation when disputes arise and provides dedicated probate and estate administration support throughout the process.

Why Jacksonville Families Choose Lansing Roy, P.A.

We’ve been serving Jacksonville clients since 1996, and estate planning has been central to our work throughout. Our background in financial law means we understand how estate documents interact with asset protection, creditor concerns, and broader financial planning in ways that matter for real families. We offer a free initial consultation to review your situation and explain your options clearly before any commitment.

Call us at (904) 574-5499 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an estate plan if I don’t have a large estate?

Yes. Estate planning isn’t about the size of your estate; it’s about making sure your wishes are legally documented. If you have any assets, minor children, or preferences about your medical care, a plan protects you and spares your family difficult decisions at an already difficult time.

What happens if I die without a will in Florida?

Your estate is distributed according to Florida’s intestate succession laws, which follow a statutory formula based on surviving relatives. This may not reflect your actual wishes. Assets intended for a close friend or a specific family member may go elsewhere under the default rules. A valid will ensures your intentions are honored.

How long does probate take in Florida?

It depends on the type of administration. Summary administration can often be completed in a matter of weeks for qualifying estates. Formal administration typically takes several months and can extend longer for complex estates with creditor claims or disputes. Proper estate planning can position your heirs to use the simpler process or avoid probate on key assets altogether.