Every four years, the world watches athletes pursue excellence on the Olympic stage.
We see strength. Discipline. Preparation. Teamwork. Endurance.
But what we don’t see are the years of training behind the scenes — the early mornings, the setbacks, the intentional preparation long before competition day ever arrives. Estate planning in Florida works the same way. It’s not about reacting to a crisis. It’s about preparing long before one happens.
No athlete qualifies for the Olympics by preparing at the last minute. Yet many families delay estate planning until:
By then, options may be limited.
Under Florida law, if you pass away without a will (called dying intestate), your assets are distributed according to Florida Statutes Chapter 732 — not according to your personal wishes. That means the state decides who inherits, and the outcome may not align with what you would have chosen.
Preparation changes everything. Having a properly executed estate plan in place — whether that includes a will, a revocable living trust, or both — ensures your family isn’t left navigating uncertainty during an already emotional time.
Olympic athletes don’t compete alone. They have coaches, trainers, and support systems guiding them. Estate planning also requires a team:
In Florida, your documents must meet specific statutory requirements to be valid. For example:
Technical mistakes can invalidate documents — which is why thoughtful planning matters. Gold medal preparation isn’t DIY.
The Olympics celebrate endurance — and so should your estate plan. Creating documents once and never revisiting them is like training for one season and expecting to compete for a lifetime. In Florida, you should review your estate plan:
Florida’s homestead laws alone make estate planning uniquely complex. The Florida Constitution provides powerful creditor protections for homestead property, but it also places restrictions on how you can devise (leave) your homestead if you are survived by a spouse or minor child.
Without proper planning, unintended consequences can arise. Endurance planning means staying proactive.
In a relay race, the baton exchange must be precise. Trust is everything. Estate planning is your baton pass. You are choosing:
Under Florida law, if you become incapacitated without proper documents in place, your loved ones may have to seek a court-appointed guardianship under Chapter 744 — a public, costly, and time-consuming process.
Thoughtful planning helps your family avoid that.
Olympians prepare physically and mentally. One of the greatest gifts estate planning provides is clarity. When your documents are current:
That peace of mind is powerful.
Gold medal planning means:
✔️ A properly executed will or trust
✔️ Updated beneficiary designations
✔️ A compliant Florida durable power of attorney
✔️ A designation of healthcare surrogate and living will
✔️ Thoughtful homestead planning
✔️ Regular plan reviews
It’s not about having the most complex plan. It’s about having the right plan — tailored to your family, your assets, and Florida law.
As we celebrate the Olympic spirit — the discipline, the preparation, the teamwork — it’s worth asking:
Are you preparing your family’s future with the same intentionality? Greatness doesn’t happen by accident. Neither does a strong estate plan.
If you’re ready to go for gold when it comes to protecting your legacy in Florida, preparation starts now — not at the finish line. Ready to plan? Book a call today.
