What happens to your family if you die without an estate plan in Florida? The answer might surprise you, and it's more urgent than most people think.
In this webinar, Florida probate & estate planning attorney Samantha Fitzgerald breaks down everything Florida families need to know about protecting their assets, avoiding probate, and making sure the right people are in charge when it matters most.
Whether you have nothing in place, only a Will, or an outdated plan, this session will show you exactly where you stand and what to do next.
📌 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
✅ What estate planning actually covers — it's not just about death
✅ What happens to your family and assets when there's no plan (probate, guardianship, family conflict)
✅ The real cost of probate in Florida — including the dollar figures most attorneys won't tell you upfront
✅ Why a Will alone does NOT avoid probate — and what does
✅ The four documents every Florida adult should have in place
✅ Why a Revocable Living Trust is one of the most powerful tools for everyday Florida families
✅ The most common estate planning myths — busted
✅ What a beneficiary designation can and can't protect
⏱ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — Welcome & Introduction
1:45 — About Samantha Fitzgerald, Esq. | SJF Law Group
3:10 — What We'll Cover Today
3:45 — What Is Estate Planning? (It's not just about death)
6:00 — What Happens When There's No Plan in Place
8:00 — What Is Probate? (And what it actually costs Florida families)
11:30 — What Is Guardianship? (Including the minor children rule most parents don't know)
14:30 — Live Q&A: Beneficiary Designations, Lady Bird Deeds & Probate
16:00 — Documents Every Florida Adult Should Have
18:30 — Why You Need a Revocable Living Trust
22:00 — Live Q&A: Real Property, Beneficiary Designations & Inheritance
23:30 — True or False: Estate Planning Myths Busted
28:00 — Where Do You Stand? No Plan vs. Will Only vs. Comprehensive Plan
29:30 — Next Steps & Complimentary Consultation
31:00 — Live Q&A: Land Trusts, Primary Residence & LLCs
🔑 KEY TOPICS COVERED IN THIS VIDEO
Florida probate law — what triggers it, how long it takes, and what it costs (3–5% of the gross estate)
• The $150,000 threshold for formal probate administration in Florida
• Florida guardianship — what it means for incapacitated adults AND minor children who inherit
• The difference between a Will and a Revocable Living Trust
• Why a Will only controls assets that go through probate
• How beneficiary designations (POD, TOD) work — and when they're not enough
• Lady Bird Deeds (Enhanced Life Estate Deeds) — what they do and don't protect
• How to protect your beneficiaries from creditors, divorce, and financial mismanagement through a trust
• The $19,000 annual federal gift tax exclusion (2026)
• Florida homestead rights and why you should never put your primary residence in an LLC
👩⚖️ ABOUT SAMANTHA FITZGERALD, ESQ.
Samantha Fitzgerald is an estate planning attorney, licensed CPA, and LL.M. in Taxation with 27+ years of experience. She is the founder and owner of SJF Law Group, a boutique Florida law firm specializing in estate planning, probate administration, and trust administration.
SJF Law Group has helped over 2,000 Florida families since 2011 and holds 333+ five-star Google reviews. Recognized as Gold in Estate Law and Law Firm by Sun Sentinel's Favorites 2026.
📞 SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
Ready to get your estate plan in place? Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our team. You'll speak directly with an attorney about your specific situation and walk away with a clear picture of what you need.
👉 Book here: https://estateandprobatelawyer.com/contact/
📍 Serving Florida families statewide
📞 (954)-420-7735
📧 info@estateandprobatelawyer.com
