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Browse our 1 legal article about Private Client in United States written by expert lawyers.
Private client law covers planning, protection and administration of personal wealth and family matters. It includes wills, trusts, probate, guardianship, elder law, and related fiduciary duties. In Palm Beach Gardens, residents often work with Florida-licensed attorneys to tailor plans around beachfront property, family trusts, and Florida homestead considerations.
Most private client matters are handled in Florida courts within the 15th Judicial Circuit, which serves Palm Beach County. An experienced attorney helps ensure your documents reflect your goals, comply with Florida law, and reduce potential disputes after death or incapacity. Proper planning also helps manage digital assets, business ownership, and charitable goals over the long term.
In Florida, probate and trust matters are typically filed in the Circuit Court with jurisdiction over Palm Beach County, including Palm Beach Gardens.
Source guidance and official information can be found through the Florida Courts and Florida Legislature websites, which outline Probate, Trusts and Guardianship frameworks.
Estate planning for Palm Beach Gardens residents often requires precise coordination between real property, trusts, and tax considerations. An attorney helps tailor a plan to protect a primary residence and other Florida assets from unnecessary probate exposure.
1) You own a Palm Beach Gardens home and a mix of brokerage accounts and a family trust. You need a lawyer to align your will, revocable living trust, and retirement assets to minimize probate and maximize asset transfer efficiency.
2) You anticipate a complex guardianship or incapacity issue for an elderly relative in Palm Beach Gardens. A private client attorney can initiate guardianship proceedings, appoint a fiduciary, and coordinate with health care providers.
3) You want to protect a family business with a succession plan. A lawyer can draft buy-sell agreements, establish a living trust for business assets, and address continuity after death or disability.
4) You are concerned about Medicaid planning and long-term care in Florida. An attorney can structure assets and income in a compliant way to preserve eligibility while protecting family wealth.
5) You aim to minimize probate exposure for a sizeable Florida estate. A private client lawyer can create irrevocable or revocable trusts, designate beneficiaries, and handle necessary court filings if required.
6) You wish to make charitable gifts through specialized vehicles such as charitable remainder trusts. A lawyer can design the structure to meet tax and philanthropic goals while retaining control over assets during your lifetime.
Florida private client matters are governed by state statutes and constitutional provisions that impact wills, trusts, estates, guardianships, and related instruments. The framework is codified in the Florida Statutes and interpreted by Florida courts in Palm Beach Gardens.
Florida Statutes Title XLVI - Probate, Estates and Trusts provides the core rules for will validity, intestate succession, probate administration, and trust oversight. These provisions shape how estates are opened, managed, and closed in Florida courts.
Florida Trust Code (part of Title XLVI) governs creation, management, modification, distribution, and fiduciary duties within trusts. It covers issues such as trustee powers, decanting, modification, and termination under appropriate circumstances.
Florida Guardianship Law (often referred to as the Guardianship Act) addresses appointment of guardians, duties of guardians, and processes for court oversight when an individual cannot manage affairs.
Homestead and related protections are anchored in the Florida Constitution and Florida statutes. The Homestead exemption affects how real property is transferred and protected in estate plans and during probate proceedings.
The Florida Homestead exemption protects primary residences from forced sale under many circumstances, influencing estate planning and creditor considerations.
Recent trends in private client matters include emphasis on digital assets, clarity in fiduciary duties, and streamlined small-estate procedures. For updates, consult official sources on the Florida Legislature site and Florida Courts.
Key official sources include:
A will directs asset transfer after death, while a living trust holds assets both during life and after death. A trust can help avoid probate and provide ongoing management, especially for Florida real estate and multiple beneficiaries.
Begin by filing a petition for probate in the Palm Beach County Circuit Court. An attorney helps prepare affidavits, inventories, notices to heirs, and appraisals required by Florida law.
Yes, a will clarifies successor beneficiaries and can coordinate with trusts. It helps ensure your Florida property transfers according to your wishes and reduces the risk of intestate distribution.
Costs vary with estate size and complexity. Attorney fees, court costs, and appraisals are common components; many small estates qualify for simplified procedures with lower expenses.
Complex estates may take 6-12 months or more, while simpler cases can close in a few months. Timelines depend on creditor claims, asset inventories, and disputes among heirs.
A guardianship may be necessary if a person cannot manage personal or financial matters. An attorney guides court filings, selects a guardian, and sets up ongoing oversight.
The Homestead exemption protects a primary residence from certain creditors and can influence how you title your Florida property. It also affects how property passes on death if the homestead status changes.
A durable power of attorney allows someone you appoint to handle financial or health decisions if you become incapacitated. It avoids court guardianship and secures continuity of management.
Trusts can shield assets from probate, provide privacy, and control distribution. The Florida Trust Code governs how trusts are managed and when modifications are permitted.
Identify assets, name a trustee, designate beneficiaries, and execute a trust agreement. Fund the trust by transferring assets, and ensure coordination with an updated will and powers of attorney.
Collect wills, trusts, deeds, financial statements, life insurance policies, retirement account designations, and list of debts. Also bring a roster of heirs and trusted fiduciaries you may nominate.
Contestability depends on grounds such as lack of capacity, undue influence, or fraud. An attorney helps evaluate your case and pursue appropriate court actions within deadlines.
Not always. Some assets pass outside probate via jointly held property or trusts. If a will governs assets subject to probate, the process is usually required for transfer of those assets.
These sources provide official guidance, forms, and current statutes related to private client matters in Florida and Palm Beach Gardens.
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The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the content, legal information may change over time, and interpretations of the law can vary. You should always consult with a qualified legal professional for advice specific to your situation.
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