Asset Protection & Beneficiary Planning

Protecting what you’ve built and who you love

A strong estate plan begins with protecting your assets and making sure they pass to the right people when it matters most. We help Destin families create practical strategies that reduce risk, simplify transfers, and safeguard their financial future.

Building a Strong Foundation for Your Future

Smart planning starts with understanding your options

Asset protection isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s for anyone who wants to make sure their savings, home, and personal property are handled properly during their lifetime and after they pass. We help clients across the Emerald Coast evaluate how their assets are titled, clarify beneficiary designations, and create plans that reduce the burden on loved ones. Many families don’t realize that simple changes, such as retitling a bank account or naming a backup beneficiary, can prevent unnecessary delays or disputes.


Our goal is to give you peace of mind by ensuring your assets are protected from avoidable risks and positioned to transfer smoothly under Florida law. This kind of planning is especially important during major life events like marriage, retirement, or divorce—points in life when beneficiary designations and ownership structures should be updated.

Common Beneficiary and Asset Planning Strategies

Simple steps that make a big difference

Every family has unique financial circumstances, so we help you select strategies that align with your goals and protect the people who depend on you. These tools can strengthen your estate plan and reduce the likelihood of probate delays or disputes.


  • Beneficiary Designations: Ensuring accounts like life insurance, IRAs, and retirement plans pass directly to the people you choose.
  • Payable-on-Death (POD) or Transfer-on-Death (TOD) Accounts: Allowing assets to transfer outside probate with minimal paperwork.
  • Joint Ownership Options: Reviewing whether co-ownership is helpful or risky based on your situation.
  • Homestead Protections: Understanding Florida’s unique rules that protect your primary home.
  • Trust Planning: Using revocable or irrevocable trusts to protect assets and simplify distributions.


These strategies, implemented correctly, can support your larger estate plan and reduce complications for the next generation.

Why Beneficiary Designations Matter

Ensuring the right people receive the right assets

Many families assume that a will controls everything, but beneficiary designations often override what the will says. That means a simple oversight—like an ex-spouse still listed on a retirement account—can lead to unintended results. We help clients review and update their designations to make sure they reflect their current relationships and long-term goals.


Beneficiary planning becomes even more important after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, or deaths. By reviewing these documents regularly, you ensure your assets go where you want them to go and avoid conflicts among family members.

Asset Protection for Military Families

Planning with experience and understanding

Military families often face unique challenges when planning their estates. Frequent moves, deployments, and blended family structures can make asset protection and beneficiary decisions more complex. With a background in military service, we understand the intricacies of SGLI designations, survivor benefits, and the financial realities that come with military life.


We help military families build plans that protect their assets no matter where orders take them, ensuring peace of mind during deployments and transitions. Whether you’re active duty, a veteran, or a military spouse, we’ll create a plan that supports your financial stability and long-term goals.

Protecting Your Legacy Today

Planning that grows with your family

Asset protection and beneficiary planning are not one-time tasks—they should evolve as your family grows and your circumstances change. We encourage clients to review their documents every few years or after major life events so their plan stays current and effective. These updates help reduce confusion, preserve family harmony, and keep your estate from getting tied up in costly legal issues.


We’re here to help you build a plan that fits your life today and continues to serve your family in the years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions – Asset Protection & Beneficiary Planning

Understanding how to secure your assets under Florida law

  • Why do beneficiary designations matter if I already have a will?

    Beneficiary designations usually override what your will says, meaning the person listed on the account receives the funds regardless of your other documents. This makes it essential to keep designations up to date, especially after major life changes. Reviewing these regularly helps avoid conflicts or unintended inheritance outcomes. Keeping your will and designations aligned ensures your wishes are clearly honored.

  • How often should I review my beneficiary designations?

    We recommend reviewing them every couple of years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the death of a loved one. These changes can dramatically shift your priorities and affect how your assets should be distributed. Reviewing regularly helps catch outdated information or missing beneficiaries. Even small updates can prevent future disputes.

  • What assets can be protected through beneficiary planning?

    If someone dies without a will, their estate is distributed according to Florida’s intestacy laws, which outline who inherits based on marital status and family relationships. The probate process remains similar to cases with a will, but the court follows the statutory distribution plan rather than personal wishes. A Personal Representative will still need to be appointed, and creditors must still be handled appropriately. We guide families through intestate estates with clarity and care.

  • What’s the difference between POD/TOD accounts and joint ownership?

    POD and TOD accounts name a specific person to receive the funds upon your passing, while joint ownership gives another person immediate access during your lifetime. Joint ownership can create risks—creditor exposure, tax issues, or loss of control—if not used carefully. POD and TOD accounts are often a safer, more intentional way to pass assets outside probate. We help you determine which option best fits your goals.

  • Can these tools help me avoid probate?

    Yes. Proper beneficiary designations and POD/TOD accounts allow assets to transfer directly to beneficiaries without going through probate. While not every asset can avoid probate, thoughtful planning can significantly reduce the size of the probate estate. This makes the process faster, less expensive, and easier for your family. We can help design a balanced plan tailored to your needs.