The legal practice of Richard Rosa Law maintains an understanding of why asset protection, together with family security, remains essential. With our Trusts & Estates Planning Law Firm specialty we tailor strategic plans to accomplish your wishes alongside meeting the financial requirements of your loved ones. With years of experience in estate planning, we guide you through the complex process of creating trusts, wills, and other essential documents with clarity and precision.
You didn’t build your assets by accident. Don’t let them end up in the wrong hands, tied up in probate, or reduced by taxes and legal fees that could have been avoided.
We design estate plans that protect your wealth, transfer it efficiently, and keep it in your family — not in the courts. Serving individuals, families, and business owners throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.
Practice Areas
A revocable living trust is the cornerstone of a modern Florida estate plan. Assets held in trust pass directly to your beneficiaries at death — no probate, no court, no public record. You retain full control during your lifetime and can amend or revoke at any time. For homeowners, investors, and business owners, a trust is essential: Florida’s probate process is expensive, time-consuming, and entirely public. A trust keeps your estate private and out of the courts.
When asset protection or Medicaid planning is a priority, an irrevocable trust may be the right tool. Once assets are transferred in, they are generally no longer considered your personal assets — which may shield them from creditors, lawsuits, and Medicaid spend-down requirements. We structure asset protection trusts, Medicaid planning trusts, special needs trusts, and charitable trusts tailored to your goals.
Every estate plan needs a will — even if you have a living trust. A pour-over will serves as a safety net, capturing assets not transferred to your trust during your lifetime. Standalone wills are appropriate for simpler estates. We draft clear, enforceable wills that reflect your intentions and hold up to challenge.
A durable power of attorney designates a trusted person to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may be forced to seek court-appointed guardianship — expensive, invasive, and slow. Florida’s POA statute was significantly updated in 2011; many older documents are no longer enforceable. If you haven’t updated yours recently, now is the time.
A healthcare surrogate authorizes someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot. A living will expresses your wishes regarding end-of-life care. These documents give your family clarity, remove the burden of guessing your wishes in a crisis, and can prevent painful conflicts during an already difficult time.
When a loved one passes, our attorneys guide personal representatives through every step — from identifying and inventorying assets to resolving debts, filing court documents, and distributing assets. Whether the estate qualifies for a simplified process or requires full formal probate, we move efficiently so families can close the chapter and move forward.
Florida homestead law, the absence of state estate tax, and the state’s popularity with high-net-worth relocators create estate planning opportunities — and traps — that require local expertise. If you’ve moved to Florida recently, your existing plan may need a full update to take advantage of Florida-specific protections and remove references to another state’s laws.
Common Questions
For most Floridians with real property, significant assets, or a desire for privacy, a revocable living trust combined with a pour-over will is the preferred approach. A will alone subjects your estate to probate — a public court process that takes months and costs your estate in fees. A trust avoids probate for assets held in it. The right approach depends on your specific situation.
Estate planning fees depend on the complexity of your estate. A basic plan — revocable trust, pour-over will, durable POA, and healthcare directive — is typically available at a flat fee. We provide clear quotes before you commit. Complex estates involving business interests or tax planning are priced accordingly. Contact us for a consultation and estimate.
After any major life event: marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a named beneficiary or trustee, significant change in assets, or relocation to Florida. Even without a triggering event, reviewing your plan every 3–5 years is good practice as laws change and your wishes evolve.
Your assets are distributed according to Florida’s intestacy statute — not your wishes. For married individuals with children from a prior relationship, the distribution can become complex and contested. Intestacy forces your estate through probate, delays distribution to your family, and can produce outcomes that bear no resemblance to what you would have chosen.
A revocable living trust does not provide creditor protection during your lifetime because you maintain control. Irrevocable trusts, however, can provide meaningful protection when structured properly and funded well in advance of any creditor claim. Florida also provides strong homestead protection and unlimited exemption for certain retirement accounts.
Your estate plan is one of the most important legal documents you will ever create. Don’t leave it to chance or put it off another year. Contact Richard Rosa Law in Fort Lauderdale today.
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