Best Trusts lawyers in Milton, FL

1 Trusts Lawyers in Milton, FL

experienced lawyers

Christine R. O'Neil

5601 Shooting Star Court (Mailing Address Only), Milton, FL

Estate Planning Probate Trusts +3

5.0/5

5.0

20 Reviews

07 Aug, 2023 by Mary

If you are searching for a knowledgeable attorney who is versed in estate planning, elder law and probate, look no further. Christine O’Neil is a must to have in your corner if you need legal advice in dealing with any kind of estate issues. I live in Oklahoma and have a dear friend in Pensacola, FL that I was trying to help during a recent health crisis. My friend’s sister had recently passed away and she had no other family member to assist her. Living alone she reached out to me. Having known my friend for over 40 years it became my duty and responsibility to assist her with health and end of life decisions. I knew it would be a challenge living almost 1000 miles apart, so I began the search for a local attorney in Pensacola with experience, skills and above all, compassion to help manage this process. My first assignment was to review and get my friends affairs in order. That’s when Christine O’Neil stepped in with the legal knowledge to assist in preparing the legal documents required to designate myself her legal power of attorney to manage the day-to-day affairs plus make all the medical decisions required later on. My friend was mentally sharp however her body was failing, and she was in a rehab facility at the time. After our discussion Christine reached out to her and went over everything, answering her questions and making sure she understood. Once the documents were ready, Christine personally went to the rehab facility to execute the documents, left copies with the facility, and sent me the originals. Christine is professional and has a compassionate, caring way about her that is needed and appreciated during such stressful circumstances. She listens, explains thoroughly each document, and always asked if I had any questions. She responds in a timely manner to emails and always called me back if she wasn’t available when I called. Finding Christine was the BEST thing for me in helping my friend. I highly recommend her!

09 Feb, 2023 by Don

Putting an estate plan together is one of those things that we all tend to procrastinate. My late wife and I often talked about it, went to a few seminars attorneys put on, but never got around to actually doing it. When my wife died suddenly I realized very quickly that I needed an estate plan as the last thing you want is to die intestate and have the courts determine who gets what. Everyone's circumstances are different but having control over what you want is paramount. But where do you find a competent attorney to do this? Generally I prefer personal referrals but no one I knew was any help. Fortunately I was lucky. I did an internet search, if they had a website I checked what information was provided and checked out their credentials. This is how I found Christine O'Neil. Not only are her credentials impeccable but she is blessed with an abundance of patience and compassion. She offers a free consultation and answered questions I didn't even know I had, plus she swiftly answered lots and lots of e-mails as I would think of something else. Basically I was still in shock from my wife passing but she made everything easy for me. She put together a last will and testament, a living will, a durable power of attorney, a designation of health care surrogate and completed and filed an enhanced life estate deed that is a huge bonus of living in Florida. Some websites and software that will not be named will tell you that this is easy and you can do them yourself. One tiny mistake and your plan can go up in smoke. That's why you want a professional with the experience not to make mistakes that you wouldn't know about until it's too late. Especially if you're the surviving spouse you want everything air tight. [redacted] Don

03 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous

Christine O'Neil was a wonderful help with writing our estate planning. The experience could not have been better. She explained every detail and guided us through every step of the process. She is very professional and yet personable. I would highly recommend her to anyone needing this service.

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FAQs

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What a Trusts Lawyer Can Do for You

A trusts lawyer specializes in creating and managing trusts, which are legal entities that allow individuals to transfer assets to beneficiaries while maintaining control over how and when those assets are distributed. Trusts are used for estate planning, asset protection, tax planning, and ensuring the financial security of loved ones. Trusts lawyers help clients choose the right type of trust for their needs, draft trust documents, and advise on the administration and management of trusts.

Whether you're planning to pass on your assets to your heirs, protect your wealth from creditors, or provide for a disabled family member, a trusts lawyer can help you establish a trust that meets your financial and personal goals.

When Should I Hire a Trusts Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a trusts lawyer in various situations, particularly when you're planning for the future distribution of your assets or protecting your wealth. Common reasons to hire a trusts lawyer include:

Estate planning: If you want to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, a lawyer can help you create a revocable or irrevocable trust to avoid probate and provide for your heirs.
Asset protection: If you want to protect your assets from creditors, lawsuits, or potential future liabilities, a lawyer can help you establish a trust to shield your wealth.
Special needs planning: If you have a disabled family member, a lawyer can create a special needs trust to provide for their care without affecting their eligibility for government benefits.
Tax planning: If you're looking to minimize estate taxes or manage tax liabilities, a lawyer can help you create tax-advantageous trusts, such as a credit shelter trust or charitable remainder trust.
Charitable giving: If you want to leave a legacy through charitable donations, a lawyer can help you set up a charitable trust to ensure your donations are managed according to your wishes.
Business succession planning: If you own a business and want to ensure a smooth transition of ownership, a lawyer can help you establish a trust to pass the business on to your heirs or chosen successors.

Hiring a trusts lawyer early in the estate planning process ensures that your assets are protected and your wishes are clearly documented, reducing the chances of disputes after your death.

What Does a Trusts Lawyer Do?

A trusts lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help individuals create, manage, and administer trusts. Their responsibilities often include:

Drafting trust documents: Preparing the legal documents needed to create the trust, ensuring it is tailored to your specific goals and complies with state and federal laws.
Choosing the right type of trust: Assisting clients in selecting the most appropriate type of trust for their needs, whether it's a revocable trust, irrevocable trust, living trust, or special needs trust.
Trust administration: Guiding trustees through their legal responsibilities, including managing assets, making distributions to beneficiaries, and filing tax returns.
Modifying or terminating trusts: Helping modify or terminate trusts if circumstances change, such as changes in tax laws, family situations, or personal preferences.
Protecting beneficiaries' interests: Structuring trusts to protect the interests of beneficiaries, especially if there are concerns about financial management, disability, or dependency issues.
Minimizing estate taxes: Assisting clients in structuring their trusts to minimize or avoid estate taxes, ensuring more of the estate passes to beneficiaries.
Handling disputes: Mediating or representing clients in court if disputes arise among beneficiaries or between trustees and beneficiaries.

How Are Trusts Lawyers Paid?

Trusts lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the trust and the type of legal work involved. Common payment methods include:

Flat fee: For drafting basic trusts, such as revocable living trusts or special needs trusts, many lawyers charge a flat fee. This can range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the trust.
Hourly rate: For more complex trust planning, ongoing trust administration, or resolving disputes, some lawyers charge by the hour. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
Retainer: For long-term trust administration or complex estate planning cases, some lawyers may require a retainer, an upfront payment that covers ongoing services.
Contingency fee (rare): In rare cases, particularly in disputes involving the administration of a trust, lawyers may work on a contingency fee basis, getting paid only if they successfully recover funds or resolve a legal dispute in your favor.

Always discuss the fee structure with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand the total cost of services.

How Much Does a Trusts Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a trusts lawyer depends on the complexity of the trust, the lawyer’s experience, and the fee structure. General cost estimates include:

Basic trust creation: For simple trusts, such as revocable living trusts, fees may range from $1,000 to $3,000.
Complex trust creation: For sophisticated estate plans involving multiple trusts, tax planning strategies, or special needs considerations, legal fees may range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more.
Trust administration: If you are serving as a trustee and need ongoing legal advice, hourly rates for trust administration can range from $150 to $500 or more.
Dispute resolution: Costs for litigation or mediation in trust disputes may range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case.

Be sure to get a detailed cost estimate from your lawyer during the consultation to ensure the services fit within your budget.

How to Check the Credibility of a Trusts Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable trusts lawyer, take the following steps:

Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and has no disciplinary actions.
Look for trust law experience: Review their website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in estate planning and trusts.
Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for feedback on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google.
Ask for references: Request references from past clients who can speak to their experience with the lawyer.
Check for certifications: Look for certifications such as Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS) or memberships in organizations like the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA).

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your first consultation with a trusts lawyer, bring the following:

List of assets: Prepare a list of all your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and personal property.
List of beneficiaries: Provide names and contact information of individuals or organizations you want to name as beneficiaries.
Existing estate planning documents: Bring copies of any existing wills, trusts, or other estate planning documents.
Financial information: Bring financial statements, tax returns, and other relevant financial documentation.
Questions for the lawyer: Prepare a list of questions about the trust creation process, fees, and how the trust will protect your assets and beneficiaries.
Goals for the trust: Clearly outline your objectives, such as asset protection, tax minimization, or provisions for beneficiaries, so the lawyer can tailor the trust to your needs.

By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation effectively and receive the best possible legal advice for creating and managing your trust.