What are the benefits of making a will?

In Florida, a will gives you the ability to make sure that your money and property go to your loved ones or charities of your choosing.

When you write a will, you can choose:

• A personal representative (executor) of your estate to handle your debts and assets
• To also begin a trust for long-term asset management
• Name someone as the legal guardian of your children

A will can make distributing your assets easier. Your personal representative should file the will with the Clerk of Court's Probate Division within 10 days of your death.

The will must be proven to be valid in the Probate court. The court supervises the process of distributing your assets. The court grants your personal representative the authority to collect your assets, pay your debts, and distribute your assets.

For additional information, see our Advance Planning common questions and resources.