Florida Trust Attorney
A well-designed trust can protect your assets, simplify inheritance, and help your family avoid Florida probate entirely. At De Paz Law, we create and administer trusts for families across Clearwater, Largo, St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County - giving you control, privacy, and peace of mind. Whether you're establishing a new trust or managing one as a trustee, we provide clear, experienced guidance every step of the way.
What Is a Trust and Why It Matters
A trust is a legal tool that allows you to manage and transfer assets privately and efficiently. Unlike a will, a properly funded trust can help your family avoid probate, maintain privacy, and ensure assets pass to loved ones without court delays or added expenses.
Trusts are especially useful for:
- Avoiding the time and cost of probate
- Protecting minor children or vulnerable beneficiaries
- Managing assets during incapacity
- Keeping family matters private
- Ensuring wealth is transferred exactly as intended
At De Paz Law, we focus on practical, goal-oriented trust planning that gives families long-term security.
Types of Trusts We Create
Revocable Living Trusts
The most common tool for probate avoidance, a revocable living trust lets you maintain full control of your assets while you're alive and pass them seamlessly to beneficiaries after death.
Irrevocable Trusts
Used for advanced planning, irrevocable trusts can provide asset protection, tax benefits, and long-term structure for complex family or financial situations.
Special Needs Trusts
Designed to support beneficiaries with disabilities without impacting their eligibility for essential benefits.
Testamentary Trusts
Created within a will, these trusts provide long-term oversight for minor children or specific inheritance goals.
Each trust is customized to your needs - no templates or generic documents.
How We Help You Create the Right Trust
Many families aren't sure whether they need a will, a trust, or both. During your consultation, we evaluate your assets, goals, family dynamics, and long-term plans to determine the best structure.
Our trust creation process includes:
Funding Support
Ensuring assets are correctly transferred into the trust - the step most DIY trusts miss.
Execution & Signing
Completing the trust through an efficient signing process, with in-person or virtual options.
A trust only works if it's built and funded correctly - we guide you through every step.
Trust Administration Services
If you're a trustee or beneficiary, you may need help understanding your responsibilities after a trust creator passes away. We assist with all aspects of Florida trust administration, including:
- Interpreting trust terms and responsibilities
- Managing and transferring trust assets
- Communicating with beneficiaries
- Handling required filings and notices
- Meeting legal obligations and avoiding liability
Trustees often feel overwhelmed - our steady, experienced guidance makes the process clear and manageable.
Florida-Specific Expertise
Trust law varies widely from state to state. Our firm ensures your trust complies with Florida-specific requirements, including:
- Florida's limits on long-term trust duration
- Rules for homestead property inside a trust
- Proper execution and witnessing requirements
- Navigating Florida probate avoidance strategies
- Ensuring smooth management for Clearwater, Largo & St. Petersburg families
Because our practice is dedicated to estate and trust law, your plan benefits from accurate, local, up-to-date guidance.
Benefits of Working with De Paz Law
Families trust us for clear, practical, and experienced trust counsel backed by:
- 10+ years of Florida trust and estate experience
- Recognition in Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2020-2023)
- Exclusive focus on estate planning, trusts, and probate
- Secure client portal and modern e-signature workflow
- Bilingual support (hablamos español)
- A compassionate, patient approach that makes complex planning simple
We've helped many families avoid lengthy probate timelines and create trust-based plans that truly work in real life.
Not sure if a trust is right for you?
We'll help you decide the best way to protect your assets and prepare for the future.