Winter Haven Estate Planning Attorneys - Wills & Trusts
Plan Ahead With A Winter Haven Estate Planning Attorney
A thoughtful estate plan lets you decide what happens to your property and your care instead of leaving those decisions to the state. Our Winter Haven estate planning attorney team works with individuals and families across Polk County to create clear wills, trusts, and other documents that reflect their values. At Floyd, Sammons & Spanjers, we take time to listen, explain your options, and build a plan that fits your real life and budget.
Why Thoughtful Estate Planning Matters
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or retired. If you own a home, have children, share accounts, or simply care about who makes decisions for you, you have something worth planning. A good plan can help your family avoid confusion, reduce the chance of conflict, and move more smoothly through legal processes in Polk County and beyond.
Wills That Reflect Your Wishes
A will is the foundation of most estate plans. Our attorneys draft wills that name who should receive your property, who should manage your estate, and who should care for minor children if something happens to you. We also review older wills written years ago to see if they still match your life today and update them as needed so they stay valid under Florida law.
Living Trusts For Florida Families
For some clients, a revocable living trust is a useful way to keep more control and privacy while making it easier for loved ones to manage things later. By placing your Winter Haven home or other assets into a trust, a trusted person can step in to handle them if you become ill or after you pass away without going through a long court process. Floyd, Sammons & Spanjers explains when a trust makes sense and helps you decide whether a will alone or a will plus trust is the better fit.
Powers Of Attorney And Health Care Documents
Estate planning also covers what happens if you are alive but cannot manage your own affairs. We prepare durable
financial powers of attorney so a person you trust can pay bills, manage accounts, and handle everyday business if you are unable to do so. We also draft health care surrogates and living wills so your loved ones and doctors know who can speak for you and what kind of treatment you want.
Protecting Your Family And Assets
Our estate plans look at the whole picture, including life insurance, retirement accounts, and jointly owned property. We help you line up beneficiary designations with your will or trust so everything points in the same direction. If you own a small business in Winter Haven or Lakeland, we can also work with you on business succession planning that ties your estate plan to your company's future.
Find us at 1556 6th Street SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880 with convenient parking. From Lakeland, take US-98 South toward Winter Haven and follow signs to 6th Street SE. From Bartow, head north on FL-17 into Winter Haven and continue to 6th Street SE; from Orlando, travel I-4 West to US-27 South, then west toward Winter Haven.
Directions & Service Area
Our Estate Planning Process
We start with a conversation about your family, property, and goals, usually in a relaxed meeting at our Winter Haven office or by phone. From there, Floyd, Sammons & Spanjers recommends the documents you need, drafts them, and reviews each part with you so you understand what you are signing. Once everything is signed correctly, we guide you on next steps like retitling property, updating beneficiaries, and deciding when to review your plan again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I die without a will in Florida?
If you die without a will, Florida law decides who receives your property based on family relationships. That may or may not match what you would have chosen. We can explain how the rules work and help you create a will so your wishes are clear instead of leaving everything up to a statute.
Will my family owe estate or inheritance taxes?
Most Florida families do not owe estate or inheritance taxes because Florida has no state estate tax and the federal exemption is very high. That said, tax rules can change and some larger estates need special planning. We can review your situation and tell you if tax focused planning is necessary or if a simple plan will work.
How often should I update my will?
You should review your will after major changes like marriage, divorce, a new child, or a significant change in assets. Many people also like to revisit their plan every few years even if nothing big has changed. We can look at your current documents and help you decide whether a full update or a small tweak is needed.
What is the difference between a will and a living will?
A will describes who receives your property after you die and who will manage the estate. A living will is a medical document that tells doctors and loved ones your wishes about life support and end of life care. Most Florida residents benefit from having both, along with a health care surrogate, so there is less uncertainty during a crisis.
Do I need a lawyer to make a will in Florida?
You can write a will on your own, but mistakes in wording or signing can make it hard to use when your family needs it. Working with a Winter Haven estate planning attorney adds clarity and reduces the chance of confusion or disputes later. We keep the process simple and explain each decision so you feel confident about the result.