Sarasota Will Lawyer

What Happens When You Die Without a Will in Florida

In Florida, if you pass away without a valid will, your estate enters a process called intestacy, meaning the state determines how your assets are distributed. While the rules are well-defined, they don’t always reflect your wishes or the unique relationships in your life.

Under intestate succession laws, property typically goes to a surviving spouse and children first. But this can create complications. 

For example, blended families may find that stepchildren or unmarried partners are excluded. If you have no spouse or children, the law looks to parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and increasingly distant relatives. 

Close friends, longtime companions, and charitable causes that meant something to you receive nothing. These default rules can leave significant gaps, especially for those who want to provide for nontraditional family members or specific community interests. 

By contrast, a well-drafted will, much like an advance directive, keeps you in control. You can designate guardians for minor children, choose who receives cherished heirlooms, and coordinate how your will interacts with other estate planning tools, such as living trusts or powers of attorney, to create a cohesive plan.

At The Matechik Law Firm, we make these difficult decisions feel approachable. We take the time to explain how each document fits together and how it can prevent stress for your loved ones later. Sarasota’s mix of retirees, professionals, and multigenerational families means every estate plan is unique, and our role is to help design yours to fit your personal story.

How a Sarasota Will Fits Into Your Overall Estate Plan

Many people think of a will as a single document, but in practice it is one piece of a broader estate plan that may include trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Working with a will lawyer in Sarasota allows you to coordinate these pieces so they support each other rather than conflict. We discuss how your will interacts with Florida probate procedures, beneficiary designations, and jointly owned property, and we help you decide who should serve in key roles, such as personal representative or guardian for minor children. This holistic view can make the difference between a plan that looks good on paper and one that works smoothly when your family needs it.

A thoughtful estate plan also considers practical questions about timing, communication, and family dynamics. We encourage clients to think about which loved ones are best suited to handle financial tasks, who has the right temperament to make medical choices, and how to document personal wishes in a way that reduces confusion. Because we are familiar with local institutions like the Sarasota County Probate Court and nearby financial institutions, we can talk through what the process may look like for your family from the first filing to the final distribution. Our goal is to help you feel confident that your will and related documents form a clear roadmap, tailored to your life, for the people you care about most.

People who meet with a will lawyer in Sarasota often have questions about how intestacy will affect specific assets such as homestead property, retirement accounts, or a small business interest. We discuss how Florida probate courts, including those in Sarasota County, apply the statutes in real-life situations and what that may mean for your spouse, children, or other beneficiaries. By walking you through different scenarios, we help you see how a customized will can reduce confusion, minimize family conflict, and provide clearer instructions for the person who will handle your affairs.

Schedule a free phone consultation with our lawyer by calling (941) 770-2243 today.