The top-rated estate planning attorneie in DeLand, Florida is Morgan & Morgan, rated 4.7 stars across 1,447 reviews. Other highly rated options include Bauer & Associates Attorneys at Law, P.A., Law Office of Genine Ann Mejia, P.A., Coastal Legacy Law. This directory lists 18 estate planning attorneies serving DeLand.
Comparison
| # | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morgan & Morgan | 302 W New York Ave | (386) 281-6800 |
| 2 | Bauer & Associates Attorneys at Law, P.A. | 505 E New York Ave Suite 7 | (386) 734-3313 |
| 3 | Law Office of Genine Ann Mejia, P.A. | 226 E New York Ave | (386) 463-0849 |
| 4 | Coastal Legacy Law | 500 E New York Ave Suite 101 | (833) 358-7878 |
| 5 | Munizzi Law Firm | 101 N Woodland Blvd Suite 601 | (407) 501-5500 |
| 6 | The Law Office of Christine Aung PLLC | 101 N Woodland Blvd #200 | (386) 951-6135 |
| 7 | Akin Law P.A. | 600 W New York Ave | (386) 518-2215 |
| 8 | Landis Graham French PA | 145 E Rich Ave # C | (386) 734-3451 |
| 9 | Finley Law LLC | 203 E Rich Ave | (386) 734-5959 |
| 10 | Meeks and Ceely, P.L. | 311 E Rich Ave | (386) 734-0199 |
Morgan & Morgan serves clients in Hudson and throughout Pasco County, offering estate planning legal services. The firm assists individuals and families with preparing for the management of their assets during life and their transfer after death. This work includes drafting essential documents such as wills and living trusts. The attorneys also guide clients through asset protection strategies and the creation of powers of attorney. Services further extend to handling Florida probate proceedings and establishing medical directives for long-term care.
Bauer & Associates Attorneys at Law, P.A. serves the greater DeLand, Florida area with legal guidance in estate planning. The firm works with individuals and families to prepare documents that address property management and future medical care decisions. Common planning tools include wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. The practice also handles beneficiary designations and the structuring of irrevocable trusts to manage assets according to client instructions.
The Law Office of Genine Ann Mejia, P.A. provides a range of estate planning services in DeLand, FL, including will preparation and trust administration. The firm assists clients with establishing advance directives and creating plans for asset distribution. Ongoing services help review and update these legal documents as life circumstances change. The office works with owners of residential properties, such as single-family homes, as well as commercial real estate including apartments, retail spaces, and restaurants.
Coastal Legacy Law in DeLand, FL, distinguishes between one-time document preparation work, such as authoring a simple last will, and ongoing services like establishing a revocable living trust that requires periodic review. The firm serves clients throughout Volusia County and the surrounding region who seek to organize their estate plans. Legal consultations address asset protection, beneficiary designations, probate avoidance strategies, and end-of-life healthcare directives. Service availability for new clients typically runs on a scheduled appointment basis following an initial free consultation.
Serving DeLand and the surrounding communities of Volusia County, Munizzi Law Firm focuses on estate planning. The firm handles wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to help clients manage their assets and outline their healthcare wishes. It typically begins each matter by meeting with the individual to review their specific goals and financial situation, then drafts the necessary documents to reflect those decisions with careful attention to legal formalities.
The Law Office of Christine Aung PLLC serves homeowners and individuals in DeLand, Florida, who are establishing their estate plans or navigating probate matters. The firm provides services such as will drafting, trust administration, and power of attorney preparation. These legal documents help clients manage their personal affairs and property transfer upon incapacity or death. The firm also offers guidance on Florida probate court procedures for local families. Its practice additionally covers clients in the neighboring community of Orange City.
Akin Law P.A. in DeLand, FL, specializes in will drafting and trust administration, while also providing general services such as power of attorney preparation and probate guidance. The firm assists local residents with creating plans that outline asset distribution and healthcare directives. As the spring season approaches, it helps families update their documents to address potential changes in personal circumstances or tax laws.
Landis Graham French PA provides foundational legal guidance in estate planning for clients in DeLand, FL. The firm specializes in will drafting, trust administration, probate avoidance strategies, and advance healthcare directives. Estate plans are prepared with attention to detailed asset distribution and tax implications. The attorneys serve individual homeowners, local business proprietors, office tenants, warehouse operators, and food service establishments requiring formal succession frameworks.
As winter approaches, many DeLand residents begin reviewing their end-of-life documents to ensure wishes are current. Finley Law LLC focuses on these critical transitions, helping clients establish clear directives and protect their property interests with local expertise. The firm assists with powers of attorney, wills, and trusts that comply fully with Florida probate rules. An initial consultation at their DeLand office covers a review of existing paperwork and identification of any gaps that may need attention.
Serving residential clients in DeLand for estate planning needs, Meeks and Ceely, P.L. also offers counsel for commercial estate matters throughout the surrounding area. A typical engagement begins with a review of assets and family goals to draft wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Annual or biennial reviews allow clients to update documents after major life events between their regular visits.
What Does an a Estate Planning Attorney in DeLand Cost?
Typical costs for estate planning in Florida vary widely based on complexity. A basic will package, including a will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directives, generally costs $300 to $1,000. Revocable living trust packages range from $1,500 to $5,000 and include the trust, pour-over will, and all supporting documents. For estates with business interests, multiple properties, or tax planning needs, fees can reach $3,000 to $10,000 or more, with hourly rates of $250 to $500.
Many Florida attorneys offer flat fees for standard packages, allowing you to know the cost upfront. Payment plans are sometimes available for larger projects. Some firms charge a flat fee for the initial consultation, while others offer it free. Always ask about additional costs such as filing fees, notary fees, or charges for amendments. This information is general and does not constitute legal advice; consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation.
About estate planning attorneies in DeLand
Estate planning in DeLand, Florida involves creating a comprehensive strategy to manage your assets during your lifetime and distribute them after your death. The core components include wills, which direct how your property is distributed and name guardians for minor children; revocable living trusts, which allow you to manage assets during your life and avoid probate upon death; irrevocable trusts, which remove assets from your taxable estate and offer creditor protection; powers of attorney, which authorize someone to handle your financial affairs; healthcare directives, including living wills that state your end-of-life wishes; and beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death accounts, which override your will if not coordinated properly.
Florida probate law has specific requirements that affect estate planning in DeLand. The probate process typically takes six to twelve months for formal administration, though summary administration is available for estates valued under $75,000 or where the decedent has been dead for more than two years. Florida imposes no state estate tax, but the federal estate tax exemption for 2025 is $13.99 million per individual, indexed for inflation. If you die without a will in Florida, intestate succession rules apply: your spouse receives all assets if there are no descendants, or half if there are descendants from both you and your spouse. Florida is not a community property state, meaning assets acquired during marriage are not automatically owned equally. However, Florida does allow transfer on death deeds for real estate, which lets you name a beneficiary to inherit property without probate.
You should consider estate planning at several life milestones. When you marry, you may want to update beneficiary designations and create a will to protect your spouse. Having children makes a will essential for naming guardians and establishing trusts for their inheritance. Purchasing a home in DeLand triggers the need to consider how the property will transfer, whether through joint ownership, a trust, or a transfer on death deed. Business owners should plan for succession and buy-sell agreements. As you approach retirement, estate planning helps coordinate Social Security, pensions, and IRA distributions. If you accumulate significant assets, including investment accounts, real estate, or valuable personal property, estate planning becomes crucial for tax efficiency and asset protection. Blended families require careful planning to ensure both your current spouse and children from previous relationships are provided for.
The key documents in a comprehensive estate plan serve distinct purposes. A last will and testament directs the distribution of probate assets, names an executor to manage your estate, and appoints guardians for minor children. A durable power of attorney authorizes someone to handle your financial affairs if you become incapacitated, covering tasks like paying bills, managing investments, and filing taxes. A medical power of attorney designates someone to make healthcare decisions for you if you cannot communicate. A living will states your wishes regarding life-prolonging medical treatment, such as artificial nutrition and hydration, when you have a terminal condition or are in a persistent vegetative state. Trust documents, including revocable living trusts, specify how assets are managed during your life and distributed after death, often avoiding probate entirely.
Costs for estate planning in DeLand vary based on complexity. A basic will package, including a will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directives, typically ranges from $300 to $1,000. A revocable living trust package, which includes the trust document, a pour-over will, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, generally costs between $1,500 and $5,000. For complex estates involving business interests, multiple properties, or special needs trusts, attorneys may charge hourly rates of $250 to $500 per hour. Factors affecting pricing include the number of assets, whether you have minor children, the need for tax planning, and whether you are married. Some attorneys offer flat fees for standard packages, while others bill by the hour for customized work.
Common mistakes in estate planning can have serious consequences. Dying intestate, or without a will, means Florida law determines who inherits your assets, which may not align with your wishes. Outdated beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies can cause assets to go to an ex-spouse or a deceased relative, overriding your will. Not funding a trust, meaning you fail to transfer assets into the trust name, renders the trust ineffective and forces those assets through probate. DIY wills often fail because they do not meet Florida formalities, such as requiring two witnesses who sign in the testators presence, leading to will contests or invalidation. Not planning for incapacity leaves you vulnerable to court-appointed guardianship, which is expensive and public, whereas a durable power of attorney and healthcare proxy keep control in your chosen hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Florida-specific probate rules affect estate planning in DeLand?
Florida probate requires formal administration for estates exceeding $75,000 in value, which takes six to twelve months and includes creditor claims deadlines of three months from publication. DeLand residents can use summary administration for estates under $75,000 or if the decedent has been dead over two years, which is faster and less expensive. Florida also allows transfer on death deeds for real estate, letting you avoid probate for your home without creating a trust.
How much does an estate planning attorney in DeLand typically charge?
A basic will package in DeLand costs $300 to $1,000, while a revocable living trust package ranges from $1,500 to $5,000. Complex estates involving business interests or special needs planning may cost $3,000 to $10,000 or more, with hourly rates of $250 to $500. Many attorneys offer flat fees for standard documents and free initial consultations to discuss your needs.
What is the process for creating an estate plan with a DeLand attorney?
The process begins with an initial consultation where you discuss your assets, family situation, and goals. The attorney then drafts your documents, which you review and approve before signing in the presence of a notary and two witnesses, as required by Florida law. The entire process typically takes two to four weeks, though complex plans may require additional meetings and revisions.
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