Florida Trust Protection Plan
A revocable living trust gives you greater control, privacy, and flexibility than a will alone - helping you avoid probate, streamline inheritance, and protect your family from delays, costs, and court intrusion. At De Paz Law, we build trust-centered plans for homeowners, blended families, and multi-property owners across Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, and Tampa Bay. Our team guides you from initial design through funding and ongoing support, so your trust works as intended.
Why Choose a Living Trust in Florida?
- Avoids the public, expensive Florida probate process
- Keeps your affairs private and out of court
- Simplifies inheritance for multiple properties or blended families
- Allows for disability/incapacity planning with successor trustees
- Protects vulnerable beneficiaries and supports multi-generational planning
- Unlike a will, a trust is immediately effective and can manage assets during your lifetime and after.
Trust vs. Will - Quick Comparison
| Feature | Living Trust | Will (Only) |
|---|---|---|
| Avoids Probate | Yes | No |
| Controls assets during life | Yes | No |
| Privacy | Yes | No (public) |
| Ongoing Updates | Easy | Needs new will |
| Real Estate | Easily managed | Probate required |
A trust is ideal for those who want efficiency, privacy, and long-term flexibility. Wills still play a role (especially for guardianship and "catch-all" assets), but a trust plan puts you in control.
What You Need to Transfer into Your Trust (Funding Checklist)
To ensure your trust actually works, you must "fund" it - that means retitling and aligning assets, not just signing paperwork. We'll help you:
Prepare and record new real estate deeds
Assign bank, brokerage, and investment accounts
Update beneficiary designations
Include business interests and personal property
Provide a trust funding memorandum for your records
Funding support is included: Our team doesn't just draft your trust - we help implement it for full protection.
Trustee Basics & Next Steps
When you pass away or become incapacitated, your successor trustee takes over. We provide:
- Clear written instructions and checklists for trustees
- Guidance on accountings, distributions, and legal duties
- Ongoing support for trust administration
Why Work With De Paz Law
- 10+ years, thousands of Tampa Bay families helped
- Team-based approach (associate attorney support)
- Secure client portal & e-signing for convenience
- Ongoing reviews and client-first service
- Recognized by Super Lawyers and 5-star reviews