Many financial accounts and investment assets allow you to name a beneficiary who will automatically receive ownership upon your death. These accounts are commonly called “Transfer on Death” (TOD) or “Payable on Death” (POD)” accounts.

Similarly, Florida real estate can pass outside of probate through tools such as a life estate deed with a remainder interest (authorized under Chapter 689, Florida Statutes).

Because these arrangements typically avoid probate, they are often viewed as simple and cost-effective Florida estate planning solutions. In many cases, the beneficiary only needs to present a certified death certificate to the financial institution or county recorder’s office to complete the transfer.

Florida is taking an important step for business owners and real estate investors. Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida will allow the formation of Protected Series Limited Liability Companies (Series LLCs) under newly enacted legislation (SB 316).

This development gives entrepreneurs a new way to structure multiple ventures or properties under one parent LLC—while maintaining liability protection between them.

When thinking about estate planning, one of the most important — and often overlooked — issues is how your assets are owned. (Keep in mind that doing nothing is also a form of estate planning.) The way assets are titled determines what happens if you are healthy, incapacitated, or deceased, and whether your family will face guardianship or probate proceedings.

Understanding asset ownership is a foundational step in creating an effective estate plan.

Planning for the future is about more than deciding what happens to your assets after you pass away. It also means preparing for the possibility that you may become unable to manage your own affairs due to illness, injury, or age-related decline. In Florida, incapacity planning is a core part of a well-rounded estate planning strategy—and trusts often play a much bigger role than many people realize.