Estate Planning
Protect What Matters Most With Clarity and Confidence
Estate planning ensures your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected, no matter what the future brings. Saxey Law PLLC helps individuals and families throughout Okaloosa County and the Emerald Coast create thoughtful, legally sound estate plans with steady, compassionate guidance.
Plan Today for Peace of Mind Tomorrow
Why Estate Planning Matters
Estate planning allows you to take control of important decisions before they are needed. A well-crafted plan protects your assets, provides for your family, and ensures your wishes are clearly documented and legally enforceable. Saxey Law PLLC offers personalized estate planning services—from wills and trusts to advance directives—designed to reflect your goals, values, and family structure. Our approach is calm, thorough, and respectful of the sensitive nature of these decisions.
Our Estate Planning Services
Tailored Plans for Every Stage of Life
Your estate plan should be built around your unique circumstances—not a generic template. We work closely with clients to create clear, effective plans that evolve as life changes.
Wills & Trusts
We draft clear, legally sound wills and trusts that reflect your wishes and provide certainty for your loved ones. Whether your goals are simplicity, privacy, or long-term planning, we help you choose the right tools for your situation.
Advance Directives & Guardianship
Plan ahead for illness or incapacity by appointing trusted individuals to make healthcare and financial decisions on your behalf. We also help parents formally designate guardians to ensure children are cared for by the right people.
Asset Protection & Beneficiary Planning
Thoughtful planning helps preserve assets and ensures they pass smoothly to the people you choose. We assist with beneficiary designations, coordination across accounts, and strategies that reduce confusion and future disputes.
Estate Planning for Life’s Transitions
Keeping Your Plan Aligned as Circumstances Change
Estate planning is not a one-time task—it should evolve as your life does. Major milestones such as starting a family, changes in relationships, or planning for long-term care often require updates to your legal documents to ensure your wishes remain clear and effective.
Because Saxey Law also handles family law matters, we are well positioned to help clients adjust their estate plans during periods of transition. Our goal is to keep your planning coordinated, legally sound, and reflective of your current priorities, so you can move forward with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions – Estate Planning & Probate
Clear Answers to Common Concerns
What’s the difference between a will and a trust?
In both Florida and California, a will generally provides instructions for distributing assets after death and may require probate. A properly funded living trust can allow certain assets to pass to beneficiaries outside the probate process while also providing instructions for managing those assets.
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Do I really need a lawyer to draft a will?
Florida: While you can create a will without an attorney, Florida has specific requirements regarding signatures and witnesses. Working with an estate planning attorney can help ensure your will is properly prepared and reflects your wishes.
California: California also has specific requirements for a valid will, including signing and witnessing requirements. An attorney can help ensure your estate plan is properly structured and meets applicable state requirements.
Who pays the probate attorney fees in Florida?
Florida: Probate attorney fees are generally paid from the estate rather than directly by the beneficiaries. The amount may depend on the size and complexity of the estate and the services required.
California: Attorney fees for ordinary probate services are generally paid from the estate and are governed by a statutory fee schedule based on the value of the estate. Additional compensation may apply for extraordinary services.
How can I avoid probate for my family?
Florida: Depending on your circumstances, tools such as revocable living trusts, beneficiary designations, jointly owned property, and certain transfer-on-death arrangements may help keep some assets outside probate.
California: A properly structured estate plan may use tools such as living trusts, beneficiary designations, joint ownership, and other available transfer methods to help certain assets pass outside probate.
What happens if someone dies without a will in Florida?
Florida: When someone dies without a valid will, their assets are distributed according to Florida’s intestate succession laws. Who inherits depends on the surviving family members and other circumstances.
California: If someone dies without a valid will, California’s intestate succession laws determine who inherits the estate. Distribution generally depends on whether the person leaves a spouse, children, parents, siblings, or other relatives.