Boca Raton Trusts Lawyers
Strategic Planning Tools for Clients Across South Florida
For many individuals and families, a trust is one of the most powerful and flexible estate planning tools available. While not everyone needs a trust, many Florida residents benefit from the control, efficiency, and protection trusts can provide.
At LEEP LAW GROUP, we help clients throughout South Florida determine whether a trust aligns with their goals and, if so, design customized structures that support long-term plans.
Our firm’s legal team has 24+ years of combined experience delivering effective estate plans, including those for high-net-worth individuals, to Floridians in all walks of life and across diverse backgrounds.
Book a complimentary virtual consultation with a Boca Raton trust attorney by phone at (561) 760-9685 or contact us online.
Types of Trusts We Create for Our Clients
In Florida, trusts are governed by Chapter 736 of the Florida Statutes (the Florida Trust Code). Because our state is a popular destination for retirees and has robust asset protection laws, Florida offers a wide variety of specialized trusts to meet different financial and family needs.
We review your assets, beneficiary considerations, tax implications, and potential risk exposure. For high-net-worth clients, this may involve coordination with financial advisors or accountants.
We can then determine whether a trust is appropriate and, if so, which type best serves your goals. We explain the advantages, limitations, and ongoing responsibilities associated with each structure.
After drafting the trust agreement, we guide you through the critical step of funding the trust, properly transferring assets into it. Without funding, even a well-drafted trust may fail to achieve its purpose.
Trusts should evolve as your life changes. We remain available to review and modify your plan as needed.
The Core Categories of Trusts
Almost every trust starts as one of these two foundational types:
- Revocable living trust. The most common Florida estate planning tool. You can change or cancel it at any time while you have capacity. It is primarily used to avoid probate and manage assets if you become incapacitated.
- Irrevocable trust. Once created, it generally cannot be modified or terminated by the grantor. It is used for asset protection, qualifying for government benefits (like Medicaid), and reducing estate taxes.
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Focused Practice That Protects Your Legacy
By dedicating our practice exclusively to estate planning, elder law, and probate, we deliver the depth of knowledge your family deserves.
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Clarity You Can Rely On
We simplify complex legal processes into clear, straightforward steps so you always know your options and feel confident moving forward.
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Trusted by Hundreds of Florida Families
Our reputation is built on real relationships, proven results, and the confidence families place in us during life’s most important moments.
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Compassionate Guidance Through Life’s Transitions
From planning ahead to navigating loss, we walk beside you with empathy, patience, and clear guidance at every stage.
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Personalized Strategies That Honor Your WishesWe take the time to understand your goals, your family, and your future so every plan is thoughtfully tailored to reflect what matters most to you.
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Free Consultations Available
We believe in helping families take the next step with confidence, which is why we offer free virtual consultations for select case types to discuss your options without obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
LEt US Help You understand your options before taking the next step
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A Boca Raton trust attorney helps you and your spouse create, review, and manage trusts that protect your assets, reduce probate delays, and keep your estate private. At LEEP LAW GROUP, we guide clients through trust administration in Palm Beach County, ensuring compliance with Florida Statute Chapter 736, which governs trusts. We explain how to fund and maintain your trust correctly so that it functions exactly as intended and gives your family lasting protection and peace of mind.
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A will takes effect after death and directs how assets are distributed, while a trust can manage and protect property during your lifetime and after death. In Florida, trusts often help families avoid probate, minimize estate taxes, and maintain privacy since they are not filed with the court. Many Boca Raton individuals have both documents because together, they form a complete estate plan that simplifies management for the surviving spouse and heirs.
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A trust allows you to plan for your family’s financial security by outlining how money, property, or investments should be used after your passing. It can protect your spouse from unnecessary legal delays, like probate, and provide continued support for children or grandchildren. Many families in Boca Raton use marital or family trusts to balance the needs of a surviving spouse with long-term inheritance goals. Our Boca Raton trust attorneys help you design a structure that fits your specific circumstances under Florida law.
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Florida recognizes several types of trusts under Florida Statute Chapter 736, each serving different purposes. These include revocable living trusts for flexibility, irrevocable trusts for long-term protection, special needs trusts for loved ones with disabilities, and charitable trusts for families who wish to give back. Our Boca Raton trust lawyers explain which options best fit your goals, how to properly fund each trust, and what ongoing responsibilities you’ll have as the grantor or trustee.
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Yes, many Boca Raton families benefit from having both a will and a trust. A will only directs how assets are distributed, while a trust manages those assets efficiently, often without court involvement. This allows your spouse faster access to funds and reduces the stress of probate. Our Boca Raton trust attorneys can review your current plan and recommend whether adding a trust could strengthen your estate and better protect your family’s future.
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You should review your trust every few years, or immediately after life changes such as marriage, divorce, the death of a beneficiary, relocation, or a significant asset purchase. Florida’s estate and tax laws evolve, and outdated terms can cause issues for beneficiaries later. At LEEP LAW GROUP, our Boca Raton trust attorneys regularly review and update documents to reflect current Florida regulations, ensuring your plan remains clear, enforceable, and in line with your wishes as your family’s needs change.
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If your trust is revocable, you can change or cancel it at any time while you’re alive. Irrevocable trusts, however, are generally permanent, though limited changes may be made with court approval under Florida Statute 736.04113. Our Boca Raton trust lawyers help clients evaluate which type of trust fits their goals and explain how to make updates legally and efficiently. Having professional guidance ensures your trust continues to serve its purpose without risking compliance issues.
Specialized Florida Trusts We Can Provide
- Special needs trust. Allows a person with a disability to receive financial support without losing eligibility for government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid.
- Spendthrift trust. Includes specific "spendthrift provisions" that prevent a beneficiary from squandering their inheritance or from creditors seizing the assets before they are distributed.
- Medicaid asset protection trust. An irrevocable trust designed to shield assets so they don't count toward the strict asset limits for Florida Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care. (Note: Must be established five or more years before applying to avoid the "look-back" penalty).
- Qualified income trust. A mandatory tool in Florida for Medicaid applicants whose monthly income exceeds the state's "income cap" but is not enough to pay for nursing home care.
- Land trust. Used to hold title to real estate. These are often used for privacy, as the names of the actual owners do not appear in the public records.
- Pet trust. Florida law specifically allows you to create a trust to provide for the care of your animals after you pass away. It remains valid until the last animal covered by the trust dies.
- Charitable remainder trust. Provides you with income for a set period, with the remaining assets going to a designated charity. It offers significant tax breaks on capital gains.
- Irrevocable life insurance trust. Owns your life insurance policy, so the death benefit is not counted as part of your taxable estate.
- Qualified terminable interest property trust. Often used in second marriages. It provides a surviving spouse with a lifetime income while ensuring that the remaining assets eventually go to the grantor’s children from a prior marriage.
- Generation-skipping trust. Transfers assets to your grandchildren (skipping your children) to avoid being taxed twice at each generation's death.
Client Experiences That Speak for Themselves
Real stories. Real peace of mind.
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“Their firm operates with the highest level of integrity and ethics, and I felt completely confident trusting them with such important matters.”- Elyce A.
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“Tara guided me through the challenges of my parent's probate with grace. I cannot thank her enough for all her guidance.”- Marc S.
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“Not only is Ms. Wood a highly capable professional, but she also possesses special personal qualities that make her so well suited to handle our needs. She is extremely compassionate, understanding and kind.”- M.S.
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“Ms. Wood is knowledgeable, helpful, explained matters in order to make sure we understood all necessary papers, and has always been available for us whenever we called.”- L.K.
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“Christine and her team are amazing! They helped me with my Estate plan and the process was easy and Christine explained it in its entirety during a one on one meeting!”- Danielle
Steps to Set Up and Maintain Your Trust Successfully
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1Meet with a Boca Raton Trust Attorney
Professional guidance helps you choose the right type of trust for your goals and family structure.
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2Identify What You Want to Protect
List properties, accounts, and valuables that should pass through your trust.
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3Select a Reliable Trustee
Pick someone who can manage the trust with honesty and care for your beneficiaries.
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4Fund the Trust Properly
Transfer ownership of assets into the trust to make it legally effective.
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5Update Your Trust as Life Changes
Revisit your trust after major life events to keep it current and aligned with your estate plan.