The Role of an Estate Planning Attorney

Planning for end of life is a difficult but necessary process.  Part of this planning is the creation of a legally binding estate plan that dictates your wishes and appoints certain people with the responsibility of carrying out those wishes.

Using an experienced estate planning attorney is advised. The attorney can walk you through the process from start to finish, prepare the documents, and make sure that the documents are properly executed.

Another advantage of using a professional estate planning attorney is to ensure that your real estate and other assets are properly titled to be certain that legal title is clear and assets can be transferred to your selected beneficiaries. This process can include advising on deeds, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and marital settlement agreements after divorce.

An experienced estate planning attorney can also advise you on other end-of-life choices, such as financial and medical directives, organ donation, disposition of remains, and similarly important decisions. Without an estate planning attorney’s assistance, you may find yourself setting your family up for more hardship as the result of poor planning.

An attorney can also advise clients about how to best provide for beneficiaries with special needs, educational requirements, or other considerations. The attorney can also create a plan for meeting philanthropic goals and include charities or other organizations in your estate plan.

Planning ahead is important for everyone, no matter how large or small the estate. Using an experienced estate planning attorney will ensure that your plans can be carried out.

Call the Law Offices of Debra G. Simms at 386.256.4882 to learn more.

This blog post is not case-specific and is provided only for educational purposes and is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Blog topics may or may not be updated and entries may be out-of-date at the time you view them.

Estate Planning for Singles


Single people with no children are usually able to save more money than others and yet it may be likely that they have not put much effort into their estate plans.

Here are 4 simple tips for single clients:

  • Execute a durable power of attorney and a healthcare advance directive.
    • Even those without children do not live forever, even though mortality may not be showing in their faces like those with children! Establishing a durable power of attorney and a healthcare advance directive will allow another person to make important financial and medical decisions for a single client, if it becomes necessary to do so.
  • Make a will.
    • With no direct descendants nor a spouse, a will is necessary in disposing of assets. The client can name the executor/personal representative to handle the affairs, and the will can name the beneficiaries. 
  • Create a revocable trust.
    • A trust can be used to avoid the costs and delays of probate.
  • Consider estate taxes.
    • Singles have no direct descendants, so any beneficiaries will be receiving a windfall. If giving these beneficiaries more and the government less is important, the single individual should consider charitable giving as a means to lower taxes.

Call the Law Offices of Debra G. Simms at 386.256.4882 to learn more.

This blog post is not case-specific and is provided only for educational purposes and is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Blog topics may or may not be updated and entries may be out-of-date at the time you view them.

Contact Us

Port Orange Office:
Prestige Executive Center
823 Dunlawton Ave. Unit C
Port Orange, FL 32129
Local: 386.256.4882
Toll Free: 877.447.4667
New Smyrna Beach Office:
817 E. 7th Ave
New Smyrna Beach FL, 32169
Local: 386.256.4882
Toll Free: 877.447.4667