You do not need to be wealthy or retired to need an estate plan. Every adult in Boca Raton, from a college graduate to a grandparent in a 55-plus community, should have a core set of documents. Here are the questions newcomers ask.
What is the minimum set of documents I need?
For most adults, the foundation is four documents: a will, a durable power of attorney, a designation of health care surrogate, and a living will. Many Boca families add a revocable living trust. Together these cover what happens if you become incapacitated and what happens when you pass away.
Why do I need a will?
A Florida will, valid under section 732.502 when signed by you and two witnesses together, lets you decide who receives your property and who serves as your personal representative. If you have minor children, your will is also where you nominate a guardian. Without a will, Florida’s intestacy statute decides for you, which may not match your wishes and can complicate probate for your family.
Should I have a revocable living trust too?
Often, yes. A revocable trust under Chapter 736 holds your assets during life and passes them at death without probate, which saves time and keeps your affairs private. For Boca homeowners and anyone with accounts at several institutions, a properly funded trust can spare the family from formal administration. A will alone still goes through the probate court.
What does a durable power of attorney do?
A durable power of attorney under Chapter 709 lets someone you trust manage your finances, pay bills, and handle property if you cannot. Florida’s version must be signed before a notary and two witnesses, and the powers are read strictly, so the document needs to spell out specific authorities like banking and real estate. Without it, your family may have to ask a court to appoint a guardian of the property, an expensive and public process.
What is a designation of health care surrogate?
This document names the person who can make medical decisions for you if you are unable to communicate. For a young adult, this matters more than people realize, because once you turn 18 your parents no longer have automatic authority over your medical care. Naming a surrogate avoids that gap.
What is a living will, and is it the same thing?
No. A living will states your wishes about life-prolonging procedures if you have a terminal condition, end-stage condition, or persistent vegetative state. The health care surrogate names a person; the living will records your instructions. Having both gives your loved ones clear guidance during a hard moment.
Can I use a Lady Bird deed for my home?
Many Boca homeowners use an enhanced life estate, or Lady Bird, deed. It lets you keep full control of your homestead during life, including the right to sell, while the property passes automatically to named beneficiaries at death, avoiding probate. It pairs well with the other core documents.
Do I owe Florida estate tax on any of this?
No. Florida has no state estate or inheritance tax, so your plan focuses on control and probate avoidance rather than a state death tax.
Talk to a Florida attorney
These documents work best as a coordinated set. This article is general information, not legal advice. A licensed Florida estate planning attorney serving Boca Raton can build the right combination for your life and family.
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For more on our Florida practice, see our overview of Florida estate planning. Morgan Legal Group's affiliated New York office also handles .