Planning for the future means making sure your wishes are honored—no matter what. At Burzynski Elder Law, we help individuals and families across Southwest Florida create legally valid Wills that offer peace of mind and ensure your loved ones are protected. Whether you’re updating an existing Will or starting the process for the first time, our experienced elder law team is here to guide you every step of the way.
A Will is one of the most important legal documents you can have. It outlines your wishes regarding the distribution of your property after death and appoints the person (Executor or Personal Representative) who will be responsible for carrying out those wishes. Without a Will, the State of Florida will decide who receives your assets—regardless of your intentions.
Creating a Will allows you to:
In Florida, dying without a Will is called dying “intestate.” When this happens, the court follows a strict order of succession based on state law. Typically, your closest relatives inherit your assets—spouse, children, parents, or siblings—even if those are not the individuals you would have chosen.
Unfortunately, intestate succession often leads to confusion, delays, unnecessary court involvement, and disputes among family members. It also means you lose the ability to:
Creating a Will is the only way to make your wishes legally enforceable after your passing.
At Burzynski Elder Law, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all estate plans. Every Will we draft is tailored to your unique family dynamics, assets, and goals. Our experienced attorneys and team members take the time to understand your needs and design a plan that truly reflects your wishes.
Here’s what to expect when working with us:
While a Will is essential, it’s not always the only tool needed for effective estate planning. Some clients benefit from creating a revocable living trust in addition to a Will. Trusts offer more privacy and can help avoid probate entirely, which is a time-consuming and public process.
We often recommend a Will-based plan when:
If you’re not sure whether a Will, a trust, or both are appropriate, our elder law team can help you weigh your options during your consultation.
Your Will should be clear, thorough, and legally valid under Florida law. At a minimum, your Will should include:
Modern estate plans often go beyond real estate and bank accounts. If you have social media accounts, email addresses, cryptocurrency, or digital subscriptions, we can help you plan for those as well. We can also include provisions for your pets, including designating a caregiver and leaving funds for their support.
Our goal is to make sure no important detail is left out—and that your plan covers both traditional and modern aspects of your life.
Many people are tempted to create a Will online using a generic template. While it may seem convenient, DIY Wills are frequently incomplete, invalid, or improperly executed. In fact, many probate issues in Florida stem from homemade Wills that don’t meet state legal requirements.
Some common pitfalls include:
Working with an experienced elder law attorney ensures your Will is legally sound, fully customized, and ready to stand up in court—if ever needed.
Life changes—and so should your estate plan. We recommend reviewing your Will every 3 to 5 years, or whenever you experience a significant change such as:
At Burzynski Elder Law, we can assist you in updating your Will so it continues to reflect your current wishes and circumstances.
We are proud to be Southwest Florida’s trusted legal resource for seniors and their families. Led by Board Certified Elder Law Attorney Jill Burzynski, our team brings decades of experience in estate planning, elder care, and Medicaid planning to every client we serve.
Clients choose us for:
We don’t just create documents—we help you protect your legacy.
Creating a Will is an act of love and responsibility. Let us help you take that step with confidence.
Call Burzynski Elder Law today at (239) 434-8557 to schedule a consultation. You can also contact us online to request more information or get started with the Will planning process.
We proudly serve Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Estero, and the surrounding communities of Southwest Florida.