Estate Planning Attorney
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Estate Planning Attorney in Tampa
Bonardi & Uzdavinis Attorneys-at-Law | (813) 540-2019
Above the fold for Estate Planning Attorney
Flat fee options with clear scopes
Fast consults by phone or video
Hundreds of plans drafted in Florida
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Call now: (813) 540-2019
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At Bonardi & Uzdavinis, LLP, we help families make smart decisions without turning paperwork into a second job. If you searched Estate Planning Attorney Tampa, you probably want clarity more than anything. What to sign and what to fund. What actually avoids probate in Florida. We slow the first ten minutes, then move at a pace that feels respectful of your calendar. A plan should fit your life, not the other way around.
I think the best starting point is simple. We listen, map your goals, and show a draft path on one page. When people choose Estate Planning Attorney Tampa services from our firm, they see the timeline in plain English and know what happens next. No mysteries. Just steady progress.
Wills Vs. Revocable Trusts: Which Fits Your Goals?
Common question: Do I really need a trust, or will a simple will work in Florida?
A will controls what happens through the court after death. A revocable trust can move many steps outside of the court, which often helps families who want privacy, speed, or multi-state assets handled smoothly. For some households a will with well drafted beneficiary designations is enough. For others the trust is the calmer path. Your Estate Planning Attorney Tampa team walks through both options, using your real numbers and beneficiaries, not generic examples.
We cover: guardians for minors, special bequests, successor trustees, and how funding works so the trust is not just a pretty binder.
Durable POA, Health Care Surrogate, and Living Will: the essential trio
Why it matters: If you become incapacitated, someone must act.
- Durable Power of Attorney: lets your chosen agent handle banking, titles, and tax matters.
- Health Care Surrogate: authorizes medical decisions and access to records.
- Living Will: documents end-of-life preferences so family does not have to guess.
These documents are the backbone of every plan we draft as an Estate Planning Attorney Tampa provider. We explain who to choose, how many alternates to list, and what to carry when you travel.
Probate Avoidance And Beneficiary Design That Actually Works
You can have a beautiful trust and still trip probate if assets are left unfunded. We align titles and beneficiary designations to your plan. Think accounts, homestead, vehicles, and life insurance. Your Estate Planning Attorney Tampa team gives you a funding checklist, then helps finish the steps so nothing drifts.
Quick guide topics: POD vs TOD designations, per stirpes versus per capita, contingent beneficiaries, and what to do with out-of-state property.
Special Needs Trusts And Guardianship Basics
When a loved one has a disability, planning changes. We draft special needs trusts that protect eligibility for benefits while giving real support. We also outline limited and plenary guardianship basics so you can see the path if capacity is in question. This is where a steady Estate Planning Attorney Tampa hand matters most. We move carefully and document choices in a way your family can carry forward.
Business Owner Estate Planning
Your company is not just an asset. It is a living system. We handle successor management provisions, buy-sell alignment, and coordinated beneficiary design with key person policies. Operating agreements, shareholder restrictions, and funding transfers get mapped so your heirs inherit an asset that runs, not a set of problems. Owners often tell us they wish they had seen this map five years earlier. As your Estate Planning Attorney Tampa partner, we make the legal neat and the steps doable.
Homestead And Florida-Specific Tax Notes
Florida homestead rules are generous, yet specific. We explain spousal protections, creditor considerations, and how homestead fits into a trust or enhanced life estate. On taxes, Florida has no state estate tax, but federal thresholds still matter. We provide educational tax notes and coordinate with your CPA. You leave with a plan that respects Florida law and the federal picture without turning your living room into a classroom.
Pricing Models & Example Timeline (Every Case Is Different)
Flat fee ranges with clear written scopes for will packages, trust packages, and updates. Every matter moves at its own pace based on goals, asset mix, and availability. The outline below is an example timeline to show how the process can flow:
Week 1 (example)
intake, goal mapping, asset summary, first outline
Week 2 (example)
draft delivery, Q&A, edits
Week 3 (example)
signing meeting with witnesses and notary, funding checklist issued
Week 4 (example)
funding follow-up, beneficiary confirmations, secure digital copies
We’ll confirm your specific milestones at the consult and keep you posted as we move forward.
Funding Follow-Through
We help track funding items with you so loose ends don’t become new chores, and we’ll adjust the pace if your situation calls for it.
Tampa Local Signals: Where We Work And Whom We Serve
We help families across Hyde Park, South Tampa, Westchase, Carrollwood, New Tampa, Brandon, and Riverview. We appear in the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse when needed, and we coordinate remote signings when appropriate. Map embeds and parking notes are in your confirmation email so arrival is easy. If coming downtown is hard, we can meet by video and schedule an in-office signing later.
What To Bring To Your Consult
- List of assets and approximate values
- Full names and addresses of proposed fiduciaries and beneficiaries
- Prior documents if any, including deeds and beneficiary forms
- Questions or concerns that keep you up at night
Bring what you have. We meet you where you are. The Estate Planning Attorney Tampa process works best when we start with real details instead of guesses.
Testimonials
“Clear steps and no surprises. Our trust was signed in two weeks and funded the week after.”
“They explained guardianship in a way my siblings and I could all follow.”
Short comments like these remind us why we keep the process calm and practical.
FAQs
How often should I update my plan?
Every three to five years or after major life events. We offer review sessions that are short and focused.
Do I need a trust if I have a simple estate?
Not always. A well drafted will with correct beneficiaries can be enough. Your Estate Planning Attorney Tampa team will show both paths and the tradeoffs.
Can you help retitle accounts and update beneficiaries?
Yes. We provide letters and forms and can coordinate with your institutions.
What if I move out of Florida later?
Core documents still help, yet we recommend a review in your new state to confirm local compliance.
How fast can we finish?
Many clients sign in two to three weeks. Urgent timelines can be discussed.
What if my beneficiaries disagree later?
Clarity and good drafting reduce conflict. We document intent in plain language.
Will my trust protect from all creditors?
Revocable trusts are not a shield while you are alive. We explain real protections and what is marketing myth.
Can I name co-trustees or co-agents?
You can. We recommend a structure that works in real life, not just on paper.
Do you handle deeds for homestead transfers to the trust?
Yes. We prepare and record the deed as part of your package when appropriate.
Can you coordinate with my financial advisor and CPA?
Happily. Good plans work best when everyone rows the same direction.
Client Testimonials
