Estate Planning

ESTATE PLANNING
Every adult should have an estate plan, yet 75% fail to do so. At a minimum, everyone needs a Will package consisting of (1) an attorney-drafted Will, (2) a durable power of attorney (financial) and (3) a health care power of attorney (with combined living will for end of life considerations and HIPAA release allowing access to medical records). People lacking these essential and affordable powers of attorney (“POAs”) risk incurring an expensive, time consuming, court-ordered guardianship action if they become incapacitated. In a POA, the principal appoints an agent to make decisions for them if they cannot make them for themself, thereby avoiding guardianship.

Estate Planning: Hagen Law assists in achieving estate planning objectives, including drafting trusts, wills, powers of attorney, updating existing documents, reviewing out-of-state estate plans for new residents, transferring assets, and conveying real estate. Most people have NO estate plan whatsoever. Attorneys Hagen and George create customized, affordable estate plans to meet clients’ needs.
Probate: When a family member dies owning assets in their sole name, those assets become part of their estate. A Florida probate case is required in order to release FL assets from the estate into the beneficiaries’ hands. In a probate case either a formal or summary (“simple”) administration is filed, and the court oversees paying creditors and distributing assets according to the Will or, if there is no Will (“intestate), then according to FL law. Attorneys Hagen and George work with the personal representative to expedite and streamline this important, often emotional, crucial process on a fair flat fee basis.

Simple

Hagen Law Firm provides proven real estate and estate planning / probate strategies and legal services to its Southwest Florida clients since 1985.

Streamlined

Drawing upon Michael Hagen’s 38 years of practice and our dedicated staff’s expertise, the firm employs a team approach to every client’s case.

Affordable

For quality legal services and solid, cost-conscious problem solving strategies, we maintain a reputation for excellence, honesty, integrity.

If a person dies without a Will, FL law determines who gets their assets. The law (732.101-102, Fla. Statutes) prioritizes these heirs, starting with surviving spouse, then children, grandchildren, parents, siblings and on down the line. Note that this state law makes no provisions for boyfriends, significant others, friends, charities, or unequal shares being given. Unless one is satisfied with the state-ordered schedule of priority a Will is essential.

While Wills are perfectly acceptable (and better than nothing), they must be probated (see probate explanation below) when one dies. Probate may often be avoided by forming a Trust and placing all of one’s assets in that Trust or employing other probate-avoiding techniques. More and more people are forming Trusts for these reasons.
Hagen Law makes formulating an estate plan simple, streamlined and affordable.

Attorney Hagen is frequently quoted on property tax matters. Listen to an informative radio interview on Florida property tax appeals with Hagen & Lee Co. Property Appraiser Ken Wilkinson:

➔ Click Here for WGCU Interview

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Hagen Law Firm

Every adult should have one! If you do not have a Will then state law dictates who your estate goes to upon your death. If you do not have a valid power of attorney an expensive court guardianship will be required if you become incapacitated. DON’T DELAY AGAIN – call Hagen Law TODAY to arrange an informative consultation. We simplify this crucial process!