I have a lot of clients retiring this year, and many are asking about estate Planning Basics. Everyone should have at least these four items: a Will, a Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney, and Florida Medical Surrogate. What are these things? I will tell you.

A Will is basic. It states who gets what of your belongings. A will also invites Probate, which is the public record of your Estate. If you have a successor owner named on all of your financial assets, they will pass without going through Probate, I strongly recommend that everyone does that.

A Living Will is what I refer to as the “feed me – don’t fed me” document. This gives power to whomever you name to decide how much medical help you would receive such as CPR or a ventilator.

Durable Power of Attorney: This document allows you to appoint someone who will speak on your behalf if you cannot speak for yourself.

Florida Medical Surrogate: This will allow someone to approve medical procedures, surgical, or diagnostic procedures for you. Hopefully, you will discuss the level of care you are willing to go to with this person.

A qualified Estate Planning Attorney can put all of this together. I suggest doing this while you are happy and healthy so there is no emergency in making these decisions.

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