Frequently Asked Questions

Estate planning is the process of arranging how your assets will be managed and distributed after your death. It includes creating legal documents like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to ensure your wishes are followed and your loved ones are protected.

You need estate planning to:

• Ensure your assets go to the people you choose, not decided by the state
• Avoid probate court, which can be expensive and time-consuming
• Appoint guardians for your minor children
• Make healthcare decisions clear if you're incapacitated
• Minimize estate taxes and legal fees

No, you don't legally need an attorney to create a will or trust in Florida. Many people successfully create their own estate planning documents using trusted services like Family Blueprint.

Our documents are built on legal frameworks used by attorneys, with clear instructions for execution. However, you may want attorney review if you have:

• Complex family situations (blended families, special needs children)
• High net worth or complicated assets
• Business ownership or intellectual property
• Specific tax planning needs

Family Blueprint offers optional attorney review for peace of mind at a fraction of traditional legal fees.

Most people complete our questionnaire in about 15-20 minutes. Once you finish, your documents are generated instantly and shipped to your door within 3-5 business days.

You can save your progress and return anytime if you need to gather information. After receiving your documents, you'll need to sign them in front of witnesses and a notary (we provide complete instructions).

A will is a legal document that says who gets your assets after you die. It goes through probate court, which is a public process that can take 6-12 months.

A trust holds your assets during your lifetime and transfers them to your beneficiaries after death without going through probate. It's private, faster, and gives you more control.

Key differences:

• Probate: Wills go through court; trusts avoid it
• Privacy: Wills are public records; trusts are private
• Speed: Wills take months; trusts transfer immediately
• Cost: Wills are simpler and less expensive to set up
• Control: Trusts offer more control over how and when assets are distributed

If you die without a will (called "intestate"), Florida law decides who gets your assets. The state follows a strict formula that may not match your wishes:

• If married with no children: Your spouse inherits everything
• If married with children (all from that marriage): Spouse inherits everything
• If married with children from previous relationships: Spouse gets 50%, children split 50%
• If unmarried with children: Children split everything equally
• If no spouse or children: Parents inherit, then siblings, then other relatives

The court also appoints a guardian for minor children, which may not be your preferred choice. Having a will ensures your wishes are followed.

Yes! Naming guardians is one of the most important reasons to have a will if you have minor children. Your will lets you specify:

• Who will raise your children if both parents die
• A backup guardian in case your first choice can't serve
• Your preferences for how they're raised

Without a will, the court decides who raises your children, which may not align with your wishes. All Family Blueprint plans include guardian designation documents.

Probate is the court process of validating your will, paying debts, and distributing assets. In Florida, probate typically takes 6-12 months but can take longer for complex estates.

The process involves:

• Filing the will with the court
• Appointing a personal representative (executor)
• Inventorying and appraising assets
• Notifying creditors and paying debts
• Distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries

Probate costs 3-5% of the estate value in attorney and court fees. If you want to avoid probate, consider a trust instead of just a will.

Yes! You should review and update your will whenever major life events occur, such as:

• Marriage or divorce
• Birth or adoption of children
• Death of a beneficiary or executor
• Significant changes in assets
• Moving to a new state

Family Blueprint includes 30 days of free updates. After that, you can purchase updated documents anytime. Never mark on or alter your original will – this can invalidate it.

A revocable living trust is a legal document that holds your assets during your lifetime and automatically transfers them to your beneficiaries when you die – without going through probate court.

Key features:

• Revocable: You can change or cancel it anytime
• Living: Created while you're alive (not in a will)
• You stay in control: You manage all assets as the trustee
• Avoids probate: Saves time and money
• Privacy: Doesn't become public record

Consider a trust if you:

• Own real estate (especially in multiple states)
• Have assets over $100,000
• Want to avoid probate delays and costs
• Value privacy (probate is public)
• Have a blended family with complex distribution needs
• Want to control when beneficiaries receive assets (age restrictions, etc.)
• Own a business

For simpler estates or those on a tight budget, a will may be sufficient. Our quiz helps you determine the best option.

"Funding" a trust means transferring ownership of your assets from your name into the trust's name. This is a critical step – an unfunded trust doesn't avoid probate.

You'll need to transfer:

• Real estate: Record a new deed with the county
• Bank accounts: Change account ownership to the trust
• Investments: Re-title brokerage accounts and stocks
• Vehicles: Transfer title to the trust (optional)
• Business interests: Update ownership documents

Family Blueprint Trust Plans include complete funding instructions and templates. Most people complete funding within 2-4 weeks.

Revocable Trust: You can change or cancel it anytime. You maintain complete control. Assets are still part of your estate for tax purposes. This is what most people need.

Irrevocable Trust: Once created, you generally cannot change it. Assets are removed from your estate, which can reduce estate taxes. Used for specific tax planning, asset protection, or Medicaid planning.

Family Blueprint focuses on revocable living trusts, which provide the flexibility most families need. Consult an attorney for irrevocable trust needs.

Yes! All Family Blueprint documents are designed to meet Florida legal requirements. We include Florida-specific provisions for:

• Homestead property protection
• Spousal rights and elective share
• Witness and notary requirements
• Self-proving will affidavits
• Florida trust code compliance

Your documents include complete execution instructions specific to Florida law.

Florida requires:

• You must sign your will in the presence of TWO witnesses
• Both witnesses must also sign in your presence and each other's presence
• Witnesses should be at least 18 years old
• Witnesses shouldn't be beneficiaries in your will

We strongly recommend making your will "self-proving" by having signatures notarized. This saves time in probate. All our documents include self-proving affidavit forms and complete signing instructions.

No. Florida has no state estate tax or inheritance tax. However, federal estate tax may apply if your estate exceeds $13.61 million (2024) or $27.22 million for married couples.

For most Florida families, estate taxes are not a concern. If you have a high net worth, consider consulting with an estate tax attorney.

Our pricing is transparent with no hidden fees:

• Will Plan: $149 (single) / $249 (couples)
• Trust Plan: $449 (single) / $549 (couples)
• Legacy Blueprint: $1,499 (includes attorney review)
• Attorney Review Add-On: $249 (optional)

All plans include professional printing, shipping, and 30 days of free updates. One-time payment – no subscriptions or recurring fees.

Will Plan includes:

• Last Will & Testament
• Living Will (healthcare directive)
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Healthcare Power of Attorney
• HIPAA Authorization
• Guardian Designation

Trust Plan includes everything in Will Plan, plus:

• Revocable Living Trust
• Pour-Over Will
• Certificate of Trust
• Trust funding instructions and templates

Legacy Blueprint includes everything in Trust Plan, plus:

• Full attorney review by licensed Florida attorney
• 30-minute consultation call
• Custom edits based on attorney feedback

Yes! We offer a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with your documents, contact us for a full refund – no questions asked.

We're confident you'll find our documents comprehensive, clear, and professionally prepared.

Your documents are professionally printed and shipped to your address within 3-5 business days via USPS Priority Mail. You'll receive:

• All legal documents printed on high-quality paper
• Step-by-step signing instructions
• Guidance on witness and notary requirements
• Document storage recommendations

Shipping is included in all plans at no extra cost.