Wills and Trusts Attorney in Pembroke Pines

Protect Your Family With a Clear Estate Plan

If you are thinking about how to protect your family, your home, and your savings, you are already ahead of many people. A thoughtful will or trust can spare your loved ones from confusion, delay, and unnecessary conflict. As a wills and trusts attorney, my role is to turn your concerns into a clear, written plan.

My name is Steven Friedman, and I have practiced law since 1980. For more than 40 years, I have helped individuals and families in South Florida understand their options and put practical estate plans in place. When you contact Law Office of Steven Friedman, you work directly with me, not an associate or paralegal.

I focus my practice on estate planning, probate, and probate litigation, so our conversations stay centered on what matters to you and your family. I offer a free initial consultation so you can learn where you stand and what a customized plan might look like before you decide how to move forward.

Take the first step toward peace of mind—call (954) 228-6126 or schedule a consultation online with a wills & trusts lawyer in Pembroke Pines today.

How I Help With Wills and Trusts

When you are planning for the future, you deserve more than a set of forms. You deserve a plan that reflects your family, your assets, and your wishes. My work as a wills and trusts lawyer is to listen carefully, explain your choices in plain English, and then create documents that fit your real life, not a template.

Estate planning and probate are at the core of my practice. Over the years, I have helped thousands of clients work through questions about who should receive property, who should serve as guardian for minor children, and how to prepare for potential incapacity. I draw on that experience to help you see both the legal and practical sides of your decisions.

In many cases, a complete plan includes a will, a revocable living trust, financial powers of attorney, and health care directives. I walk you through how each of these pieces works in Florida and how they can work together for your situation. Throughout the process, you speak directly with me, from our first conversation to the final signing of your documents.

My goal is to make the process as comfortable and straightforward as possible. We move at a pace that works for you, and I take time to answer your questions, whether you are planning for yourself, your spouse, or for aging parents here in South Florida. By the end, you should feel that your plan is understood, not just signed.

Do You Need a Will or a Trust

One of the most common questions I hear is whether someone needs a will, a trust, or both. The honest answer is that it depends on your goals, your assets, and your family structure. My job is to help you understand how each option works in Florida so you can make informed decisions.

A will allows you to state who should receive your property at death and who should oversee the process as personal representative. It also lets you nominate guardians for minor children. In Florida, many estates pass through the probate system, which is generally handled in the Broward County Probate Division when a Pembroke Pines resident passes away.

A revocable living trust can help you manage assets during your lifetime and can provide a structure for what happens if you become incapacitated. It can also be used to guide how and when your beneficiaries receive property. For some families, this can make the administration of the estate more orderly and can reduce the burden on loved ones.

Whether you own a homestead in Pembroke Pines, a condominium, retirement accounts, or a small business interest, the right combination of a will and trust can differ. I bring decades of experience in South Florida to help you evaluate which tools are appropriate. During your consultation, we will review your situation in detail so you are not guessing about the most appropriate approach.

What to Expect From Your First Meeting

Meeting with an attorney about wills and trusts can feel intimidating if you do not know what to expect. I structure our first consultation to make the conversation clear, comfortable, and useful, whether you ultimately decide to move forward or not. The consultation itself is free.

During that meeting, I ask you about your family, your goals, and the assets you want to protect. I also review any existing documents you may have, such as an older will or a trust from another state, and explain how they interact with Florida law. Together, we discuss different planning paths and what each would involve.

By the end of the appointment, I work to provide you with a straightforward outline of your options and an overview of fees so there are no surprises. If you choose to proceed, we set out the next steps and a realistic timeline to prepare and review your documents. If you need time to think, you are welcome to take the information and contact me when you are ready.

If you are preparing for our meeting, it can help to gather:

• Any current wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations you already have
• A general list of assets, such as real estate, bank accounts, and retirement plans
• Names of the people you might want as decision makers or beneficiaries
• Questions or concerns you would like to be sure we discuss

From the moment you contact my office, you deal directly with me. I answer your questions personally and stay involved at every stage, which many clients find reassuring when dealing with such important matters.

Local Estate Planning Guidance in Pembroke Pines

Planning your estate in Florida involves more than just filling in names on a form. State statutes, local court procedures, and how you own your home can affect what happens when a will or trust is put to the test. As a wills & trusts attorney who has practiced in South Florida for many years, I understand how those pieces work together.

When someone who lives in Pembroke Pines passes away, their estate is generally handled in the Broward County Probate Division of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. The requirements and procedures in that court influence how long administration can take and what your personal representative must do. I keep these practical realities in mind when I design your plan.

Many of my clients have moved to this part of Broward County from other states and bring wills or trusts that were drafted elsewhere. Florida homestead rules, options for surviving spouses, and other state-specific provisions can affect how those documents operate here. During our meetings, I explain how Florida law applies and when updating documents may be appropriate.

Whether you are a long-time resident or recently relocated, my goal is to make sure your plan fits your life in Pembroke Pines. I use my experience with local procedures to help reduce surprises for your family later and to create documents that can be administered effectively when the time comes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a will, a trust, or both in Florida

The right choice depends on your assets, family, and goals. Some people are well served with a carefully drafted will, while others benefit from adding a revocable living trust. During a consultation, I review your situation and explain how each option would work for you.

How much does it cost to set up a will or trust

Cost depends on the complexity of your plan and the documents you need. I discuss fees openly during our first meeting, before you decide to proceed. The initial consultation is free, and my goal is to give you clear information about costs and the scope of work.

Will I work directly with you on my estate plan

Yes. When you contact my office, you work directly with me, Steven Friedman. I meet with you, design your plan, and review your documents with you. I do not pass your matter off to an associate or paralegal, and I remain your point of contact.

How long does it take to put a plan in place

Many clients can complete a basic will or trust plan within several weeks, depending on how quickly decisions are made and documents are reviewed. During our first meeting, I outline a realistic timeline based on your needs, and I work to keep the process moving efficiently.

Can you update an old will or trust from another state

In many cases, I can review your existing documents and advise whether they should be updated for Florida law. This is especially common for clients who have moved to South Florida. We will look at how your current documents operate here and decide what changes, if any, make sense.

Talk With a Wills & Trusts Lawyer Today

Taking the first step toward a clear estate plan can feel difficult, but it often brings real peace of mind. When you sit down with me, we focus on what you want for your family and how to put that into writing in a way that works under Florida law.

With more than 40 years in the legal field and a practice centered on estate planning and probate, I work to provide thoughtful guidance and personal attention to every client. Your initial consultation is free, and you will speak directly with me about your questions and concerns as a wills and trusts attorney Pembroke Pines residents can turn to for guidance.

Call (954) 228-6126 or schedule a consultation online today to speak directly with a wills & trusts lawyer in Pembroke Pines about your estate plan.