Minor Trust Attorney in Pembroke Pines

Protecting Your Child’s Inheritance With A Clear Plan

If you are a parent or grandparent, you have probably wondered what would happen to a child’s inheritance if something happened to you. Under Florida law, a minor usually cannot manage money or property directly, and the court may need to appoint someone to do it. As a minor trust attorney Pembroke Pines families turn to for guidance, I help you put clear instructions in place before that ever becomes an issue.

At Law Office of Steven Friedman, you work directly with me, Steven Friedman. I have practiced law since 1980, and for many years, my work has focused on estate planning and probate in South Florida. I take the time to understand your family, your assets, and your concerns, then I design a plan that protects your child and reflects your wishes.

I offer a free initial consultation so you can ask questions, learn how Florida treats inheritances for minors, and see whether a minor trust is appropriate for your situation. During that meeting, we review your goals, discuss options, and outline a practical path forward that you can feel comfortable with.

Speak with a minor trust lawyer Pembroke Pines families trust to protect your child’s future — schedule your consultation online or call (954) 228-6126 today to get started.

How Minor Trusts Protect Children

When a minor receives an inheritance without a trust, Florida courts generally cannot hand that child a check and be done with it. The court may need to appoint someone to manage the funds; there can be extra reporting requirements, and the child may receive full control at 18, whether they are ready or not. A properly drafted minor trust can positively change that picture.

A minor trust is an arrangement where you select a trusted adult or institution to hold and manage assets for a child, according to rules that you set. The trustee follows those rules, uses the funds for the child’s benefit, and eventually turns control over at an age and under conditions that you choose. This can apply to life insurance proceeds, retirement accounts, real estate, or other assets that you want your child to receive.

In my practice, I often see that parents in Pembroke Pines want to protect a child’s inheritance from impulsive spending, outside pressure, or family conflict. A minor trust can slow down distributions, provide structure for education and healthcare costs, and reduce the likelihood that the Broward County probate court will need to oversee every detail of the child’s funds.

Some key ways a minor trust can help your family:

• Let you choose who manages the money for your child and how it is supervised.
• Allow you to set specific ages or milestones, such as graduation, for larger distributions.
• Guide acceptable uses of funds, such as tuition, medical care, or a first home.
• Coordinate with your will and beneficiary designations so assets flow into the trust in an orderly way.
• Help reduce the need for a court to appoint a guardian of property, which can save time, cost, and stress for your family.

Every family is different, so there is no single minor trust structure that is right for everyone. My role is to explain the options in clear terms and help you create a plan that fits your child’s needs and your own values.

My Approach To Florida Minor Trusts

When you work with me, you are not handed off to an associate or a paralegal. From the first conversation to the signing of your documents, you speak directly with the attorney who is designing your plan. Thoughtful planning for a child’s future requires careful listening and a detailed understanding of your goals.

I have practiced law for more than 40 years, beginning in New York and, for many years now, in South Florida. During that time, I have helped thousands of clients with estate planning and probate matters. That experience gives me a practical understanding of how Florida minor trusts operate in real families and in the Broward County probate system, not just on paper.

In a typical planning meeting, I ask about your children or grandchildren, their personalities, their strengths, and any concerns you may have about their ability to handle money at a young age. We also discuss your relationship with potential trustees and how to avoid placing too much burden on any one person. These conversations guide the structure of your minor trust more than any template or form ever could.

Cost is a real concern for most families, and I address it directly. During the free initial consultation, I explain the scope of the work and how fees are handled, so you can make an informed decision without surprises. My goal is to make the process clear and manageable, so that you feel comfortable moving forward at a pace that works for you.

Planning A Minor Trust In Practice

Many people put off planning because they picture a long, confusing process. In reality, creating a minor trust is often more straightforward than they expect, especially when we move step by step. I guide you through each stage so you know what is happening and why it matters.

Our work usually begins with a conversation about your overall estate plan. We look at your will, your beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance, and any existing trusts. Then we identify which assets should be directed into the minor trust and how that will happen if you become incapacitated or pass away.

Before we meet, it helps if you gather some basic information. This might include a list of your major assets, approximate values, and how they are currently titled, along with any documents you already have in place. If you do not have everything organized yet, that is common. We can still begin the discussion and fill in details as we go.

During the planning process, we work through several key decisions together:

• Choosing one or more trustees who can manage the child’s funds and follow your instructions.
• Deciding at what ages or milestones your child will receive partial or full control of the assets.
• Clarifying what expenses the trust should cover, such as schooling, medical care, or support for a particular goal.
• Determining how the trust should operate if you have more than one child or if new children or grandchildren are born later.
• Coordinating the trust with your will and powers of attorney so that all parts of your plan work together.

Once you are comfortable with these decisions, I draft the trust provisions and related documents in language that meets Florida requirements and reflects the choices you have made. We then review the drafts together, I answer your questions, and we make any refinements needed. After you sign the documents with proper formalities, we discuss the next steps, such as updating beneficiary designations so that certain assets will pass into the minor trust when the time comes.

Why Work With A Local Lawyer

Minor trust planning does not happen in a vacuum. It operates within the framework of Florida law and, in many cases, within the Broward County probate process. Working with a lawyer who practices in Pembroke Pines and the surrounding area means your plan is shaped with those realities in mind.

For example, if a parent dies while a child is still a minor, any probate case for a Broward County resident is typically handled in the Broward County Circuit Court probate division. A clear minor trust can make that process more predictable by stating who will manage the child’s inheritance and under what conditions. This can help reduce the need for the court to supervise every decision regarding the child’s funds.

Because I have practiced estate planning and probate in South Florida for many years, I am familiar with the types of assets many families in this area hold, such as local real estate, retirement accounts through Florida employers, and life insurance purchased to support children. I work to coordinate your minor trust with these assets so the plan functions smoothly under Florida law.

Being local also makes it easier for us to meet in person when that is helpful, whether at the outset of planning or later if your circumstances change. Many clients find that sitting down across the table to discuss their child’s future brings clarity and peace of mind that is difficult to achieve through impersonal online forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a minor trust in Florida?

A minor trust is not required in every situation, but it often provides more control and protection than relying only on a will or beneficiary forms. Without a trust, a court may need to appoint someone to manage a child’s funds, and the child may receive full control at 18.

How much does it cost to set up a minor trust?

The cost depends on the complexity of your overall plan and the number of documents involved. During a free initial consultation, I review your situation and explain the expected fees before you decide whether to move forward. My goal is to provide clear, upfront information about costs.

How long does it take to create a minor trust?

For many families, we can move from the first planning meeting to signed documents within several weeks. The pace depends on how quickly decisions are made and how much coordination is needed with existing documents. I work to keep the process efficient while giving you time to think through important choices.

How do I choose the right trustee for my child?

Choosing a trustee involves balancing financial skills, reliability, and your child’s relationship with that person. In our meetings, we discuss family dynamics, possible candidates, and whether a co-trustee or professional trustee might make sense. I help you weigh the options so you can make a thoughtful decision.

Can we change the minor trust if life changes?

Many estate plans are designed with flexibility in mind. In a consultation, I explain which parts of your minor trust and related documents can typically be updated and how that process works. When families experience major life events, such as births, deaths, or divorce, we can review and adjust the plan.

Talk With Me About Your Child

Planning for a child’s financial future can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to figure it out alone. A well-structured minor trust can give you confidence that, if something happens to you, your child’s inheritance will be managed with care and distributed according to your wishes under Florida law.

As a minor trust lawyer Pembroke Pines families consult for estate planning and probate matters, I bring decades of focused experience and a personal, hands-on approach. You speak directly with me, you receive clear explanations, and together we design a plan that reflects your family’s needs. Your first step is a conversation, not a commitment.

Schedule your consultation online or call (954) 228-6126 to speak directly with a minor trust attorney Pembroke Pines families trust and start planning with confidence.