Wills & Trusts

Florida health care surrogate designation explained by attorney Samantha Fitzgerald

What Is a Health Care Surrogate in Florida? (And Why Your Will Can’t Do This Job)

What Is a Health Care Surrogate in Florida? A Florida health care surrogate designation is a written document naming the person who makes medical decisions for you when you can’t…

Historic New York City brownstone townhouse, representing high-value NYC properties affected by the new pied-à-terre tax

Estate Planning Wills & Trusts

Own Property in New York City? A New Tax Could Affect Your Estate Plan

If you or someone in your family owns a home, condo, or co-op in New York City that isn’t your primary residence, a new tax may soon apply, and it…

Hands holding a house icon, percentage sign, and rising arrow representing step-up in basis and property value growth

Estate Planning Wills & Trusts

How the Step-Up in Basis Can Protect Your Family’s Inheritance from Taxes

You’ve spent a lifetime building something worth passing on: your home, your investments, the wealth you’ve carefully accumulated over the years. But one of the most common estate planning mistakes…

Person completing a beneficiary change form for a life insurance policy as part of Florida estate planning

Estate Planning Probate Wills & Trusts

Are Named Beneficiaries Enough to Avoid Probate? (Not Always — Here’s Why)

You did the responsible thing. You sat down, filled out the forms, and named your children as beneficiaries on your bank accounts, life insurance policy, and retirement accounts. You figured…

Mother and young daughter meeting with a Florida estate planning attorney to protect their child's inheritance

Estate Planning Wills & Trusts

How to Protect Your Child’s Inheritance and Avoid a Court Battle

You’ve named your child as the beneficiary on your life insurance policy. You’re thinking: “Great. I’ve protected her. Her future is secure.” Here’s the hard truth: you may have actually…

Florida estate planning attorney consulting with a couple about will and trust options

Estate Planning Wills & Trusts

Do I Need a Trust or Just a Will in Florida?

It’s the question at the center of nearly every first estate planning conversation: “Do I really need a trust, or is a will enough?” The honest answer is: it depends.…

Person using a calculator to estimate estate planning costs in Florida

Estate Planning Wills & Trusts

How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in Florida?

It’s one of the first questions people ask when they finally sit down to think about estate planning: “What is this going to cost me?” It’s a fair question, and…

Estate Planning Wills & Trusts

Can You Legally Disinherit Your Family in Florida?

What the Law Really Allows (and What It Doesn’t) Many people assume that a will is the final word and that you can leave your assets to anyone you choose…

A family sitting together with a picture of a trust document

Estate Planning Wills & Trusts

What Is the Best Trust for Blended Families?

How to Protect Your Spouse and Guarantee Your Children’s Inheritance Blended families face one of the most difficult challenges in estate planning: How do you take care of your spouse…

Estate Planning Wills & Trusts

What Happens If a Trust Is Not Properly Funded?

The Costly Mistake That Can Send Your Family Straight to Probate You created a living trust. You signed the documents. You felt relief knowing your family would avoid probate and…

About The Firm

Since 2011, SJF Law Group has been helping clients protect their families with estate planning, probate & trust administration. We pride ourselves on combining the personalized service and attention of a boutique firm, with the talent and legal acumen of a large firm.

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GOLD – Estate Law

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Wills & Trusts

What Is a Health Care Surrogate in Florida? (And Why Your Will Can’t Do This Job)

Own Property in New York City? A New Tax Could Affect Your Estate Plan

How the Step-Up in Basis Can Protect Your Family’s Inheritance from Taxes

Are Named Beneficiaries Enough to Avoid Probate? (Not Always — Here’s Why)

How to Protect Your Child’s Inheritance and Avoid a Court Battle

Do I Need a Trust or Just a Will in Florida?

How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in Florida?

Can You Legally Disinherit Your Family in Florida?

What Is the Best Trust for Blended Families?

What Happens If a Trust Is Not Properly Funded?

Voted GOLD for Estate Law by South Florida Families – Sun Sentinel 2026

About The Firm

Our Awards

About the Firm

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