Fort Lauderdale Estate Planning Attorney
Wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and probate guidance for Fort Lauderdale and Broward County families — with particular attention to waterfront homes, condominiums, and higher-value estates, handled conveniently by phone, video, or appointment.
Fort Lauderdale families often hold more of their wealth in real estate than almost anywhere else in Florida — waterfront homes along the canals, oceanfront condominiums, and second properties that may sit in another county or another state. That makes thoughtful estate planning especially important here: the goal is not just to decide who inherits, but to make sure valuable, illiquid property passes smoothly, privately, and without an expensive Broward County probate. Cornerstone Wealth & Legacy Law helps Fort Lauderdale-area clients put that plan in place without the time and cost of a downtown law office.
Estate Planning for Fort Lauderdale Residents
A complete Florida estate plan usually rests on a few core documents: a will, often a revocable living trust, a durable power of attorney, a health care surrogate designation, and a living will. Together they decide who manages your affairs if you cannot, who inherits, and whether your family must go through probate. For Fort Lauderdale homeowners with significant property values, a funded revocable trust is frequently the most direct way to keep the home and accounts out of the Broward County probate court.
- Wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts tailored to your goals
- Durable power of attorney and health care directives
- Homestead planning to protect your primary residence
- Elder law and Medicaid planning for long-term care
Waterfront Homes, Condos & Higher-Value Estates
When most of an estate's value is tied up in real property, an individually titled home or condominium can force the family into a full probate just to transfer the deed. Retitling the property into a properly funded revocable living trust generally lets it pass directly to your beneficiaries — keeping the transfer out of the public probate record and preserving Florida's homestead protections on a primary residence. For families with business interests, investment accounts, or holdings in more than one state, coordinated trust planning can also avoid a separate "ancillary" probate in each state where property is located.
Probate in Broward County
When a Fort Lauderdale resident passes away with assets that do not transfer automatically, the estate is administered in Broward County, part of Florida's Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, at the Broward County Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Because Florida probate is handled largely through electronic court filing, a personal representative usually does not need to travel to the courthouse — but the process still follows strict statutory deadlines, including the creditor notice period. We guide families through formal and summary administration and, where possible, help them avoid probate entirely with proper planning.
How We Work With Fort Lauderdale Clients
You do not need to navigate downtown Fort Lauderdale to get your plan done. Cornerstone serves clients primarily by phone and video: we talk through your situation, prepare your documents, and walk you through signing them correctly under Florida's witness and notary rules. In-person meetings are available by appointment when you would rather sit down face to face. Every plan is offered as a self-guided option or an Attorney-Guided plan personally reviewed by Arthur Simpson, Esq.
Start Your Fort Lauderdale Estate Plan Online — the Easy Way
You don't have to take weeks off or sit through multiple office visits to protect your family. Cornerstone's guided online process lets Fort Lauderdale residents put a Florida-valid will, revocable living trust, durable power of attorney, and health care directives in place from home, in three simple steps:
- Answer a few questions. Tell us about your family and assets in our secure online intake — most people finish in about 20 minutes.
- We prepare your documents. Your plan is drafted under current Florida law, with an Attorney-Guided option personally reviewed by Arthur Simpson, Esq.
- Sign correctly. We walk you through Florida's witness and notary requirements — by video or in person — so your documents are valid.
Not sure where to start? Take the free 2-minute Estate Plan Score quiz to see what your Fort Lauderdale family needs, or book a free 20-minute call.
Fort Lauderdale Estate Planning FAQs
Where is probate handled for Fort Lauderdale residents?
Probate is filed in Broward County, part of Florida's Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, at the Broward County Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Most probate is handled through electronic filing, so personal representatives rarely need to appear in person.
How should I plan for a waterfront home or condo in Fort Lauderdale?
Higher-value waterfront homes and condominiums are often the largest asset in an estate and can trigger a full probate if held individually. Titling the property into a properly funded revocable living trust generally lets it pass without probate, while preserving Florida's homestead protections on a primary residence.
Can I set up my Fort Lauderdale estate plan without going to an office?
Yes. We serve Fort Lauderdale clients by phone and video, prepare documents remotely, and guide you through signing under Florida's witnessing and notarization requirements. In-person appointments are available when preferred.
Do high-net-worth families need more than a basic will?
Families with significant or complex assets — waterfront property, business interests, investment accounts, or out-of-state holdings — usually benefit from a revocable living trust and, in some cases, irrevocable planning. These tools coordinate how assets pass, reduce probate exposure across counties or states, and add privacy a public will cannot.
Related Reading
- Trust vs. Will in Florida — which is right for your family.
- Florida Homestead & Your Estate Plan — protecting your primary residence.
- Florida Probate Process & Timeline — what to expect, step by step.
Plan ahead for your family in Fort Lauderdale
Start with a free 20-minute conversation. We'll help you understand what — if anything — needs your attention, with no pressure and no obligation.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationCornerstone Wealth & Legacy Law, PLLC is licensed in the State of Florida and serves clients throughout the state. This page is attorney advertising and general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Estate planning outcomes depend on your individual facts and the proper execution of documents under Florida law.