Choosing a will or trust can determine more than who inherits; it can shape a family’s privacy, costs, and experience after a loss. Host and Florida estate-planning attorney Stephen Lacy explains why there is no universal answer: the right approach depends on goals, assets, and family circumstances.
Stephen walks through probate, and he discusses how a trust must be funded, often by retitling assets. The episode considers when trusts may suit blended families, special-needs planning, privacy concerns, or out-of-state property.
Listeners learn how Florida homestead rules and creditor claims factor into decisions, which assets typically belong in a trust, and why retirement accounts and vehicles are handled differently. He also emphasizes updating documents as circumstances change and weighing upfront planning costs against future probate expense and delay.
In this episode, you will hear:
- How to choose between a will and a trust
- Florida probate costs, timelines, and creditor claims
- Why trusts must be properly funded
- The role of pour-over wills and guardianship designations
- Privacy, blended families, and special-needs planning
- Florida homestead rules and out-of-state property
- The importance of updating estate plans as life changes
Resources from this Episode
Get Your Free Guide – Most plans are not missing documents. They are missing the titling and the funding of assets that decide what a creditor, or a probate court, can actually reach: https://go.llr.law/optin
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