Estate Planning Attorney Fort Lauderdale | Wills, Trusts & More | Kristen Weiss Legal
A Personalized Approach

"Estate planning isn't about death — it's about making sure the people you love are taken care of, no matter what."

Most people put off estate planning because it feels overwhelming or morbid. But the absence of a plan doesn't protect your family — it leaves them with difficult decisions during an already difficult time.

At Kristen Weiss Legal, we make the process clear, approachable, and tailored to your life. Whether you need a simple will or a comprehensive trust-based plan, we're here to guide you every step of the way — serving clients throughout South Florida in person and virtually.

What We Do

Estate planning services
built for your life.

Every plan is tailored to your unique family, assets, and goals — not a one-size-fits-all template.

I.

Wills

A legally sound last will and testament is the foundation of any estate plan. We draft wills that clearly express your wishes for your property, name guardians for your minor children, and designate an executor to carry out your instructions under Florida law.

II.

Revocable Living Trusts

A revocable living trust allows your estate to pass to your loved ones privately and without the cost and delay of probate. You remain in full control during your lifetime, with the flexibility to amend or revoke the trust at any time as your circumstances change.

III.

Irrevocable Trusts

For clients seeking asset protection or tax planning, irrevocable trusts offer powerful advantages. We advise on and draft irrevocable trust structures tailored to your long-term goals, including Medicaid planning and generational wealth strategies.

IV.

Special Needs Planning

Providing for a loved one with a disability requires careful planning to preserve their eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid and SSI. A properly structured special needs trust protects your loved one's future without disqualifying them from essential programs.

V.

Guardianship Planning

If you have minor children, designating a guardian is one of the most important decisions in your estate plan. We help you think through the right choice for your family and ensure your wishes are documented in a legally enforceable way under Florida law.

VI.

Durable Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney authorizes a trusted person to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become unable to do so yourself. Without one, your family may face a costly and time-consuming court process to gain authority to act on your behalf.

VII.

Healthcare Surrogate & Advance Directives

Your healthcare surrogate designation and living will ensure your medical wishes are known and respected — even when you can't speak for yourself. These documents give your loved ones clarity and relieve them of impossible decisions during a crisis.

VIII.

Deed Preparation

Real property must be properly titled to align with your estate plan. We prepare deeds to transfer real estate into a trust, add or remove co-owners, or update title after a life event — ensuring your property passes exactly as intended.

IX.

Trust Funding

A trust that isn't funded is just a piece of paper. We guide you through the process of retitling assets — bank accounts, investments, real estate — into your trust's name, so your plan actually works when it matters most.

How It Works

A process as thoughtful as your plan.

We believe estate planning should feel empowering, not overwhelming. That's why we begin every engagement by listening — to your goals, your concerns, and the people who matter most to you.

From your first consultation to signing day, we handle every detail with precision and care. Our clients across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County know they can reach us when questions arise — before and after their plan is complete.

1
Consultation

We begin with a confidential consultation to understand your family, your assets, and your goals.

2
Plan Design

We design a customized estate plan and walk you through each document — explaining your options clearly so you can make informed decisions.

3
Document Drafting

We draft all documents with precision, then review them with you before signing to ensure everything reflects your wishes exactly.

4
Funding & Follow-Through

We guide you through funding your trust and coordinating beneficiary designations so your plan is complete — not just signed. For clients who prefer a fully hands-off experience, we offer full-service trust funding and handle the asset retitling directly on your behalf.

Common Questions

Estate planning FAQs.

Answers to the questions we hear most from South Florida families and individuals.

Yes. Estate planning is about more than money. A basic plan ensures your medical wishes are respected, designates who cares for your minor children, and prevents the state of Florida from deciding what happens to your property. Without a plan, Florida's intestacy laws control the outcome — regardless of your actual wishes.
A will takes effect at death and must go through the Florida probate process — a public, court-supervised proceeding that takes time and costs money. A revocable living trust avoids probate entirely, keeps your affairs private, and allows for a much faster, smoother transfer of assets to your loved ones. Both can be appropriate depending on your situation.
Leaving assets directly to a person receiving Medicaid or SSI can disqualify them from those programs. A properly drafted special needs trust holds assets for your loved one's benefit without counting against benefit eligibility limits, ensuring they continue to receive government support while still having funds available for additional quality-of-life expenses.
A trust that isn't funded is just a piece of paper. Trust funding means retitling your assets — real estate, bank accounts, investments — into the name of the trust. Without this step, those assets may still have to go through probate even if you have a trust. We guide clients through the funding process to make sure their plan actually works.
We recommend reviewing your estate plan after any major life event — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a named beneficiary or agent, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state. At minimum, a review every three to five years is a good practice to ensure your plan still reflects your wishes and Florida law.
Your Next Step

Your plan starts with
one conversation.

Schedule a confidential estate planning consultation with Kristen Weiss, Esq. Serving families and individuals throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County — in person and virtually.

Book a Consultation