As you prepare for the New Year, it is the perfect time to review your estate plan—or finally put one in place. Outdated or incomplete documents can leave loved ones facing confusion, delays, and unnecessary stress. This practical Estate Planning Checklist walks you through the key areas to review, from assets and beneficiaries to documents, digital accounts, and communication, so you can move into the New Year with clarity and confidence.

A Florida Lady Bird Deed, also known as an enhanced life estate deed, can allow your home to pass to loved ones automatically at death while preserving your full control during life. When properly drafted, it may help avoid probate, preserve homestead protections, and support tax planning goals. Learn how Lady Bird Deeds work under Florida law and when consulting an estate planning attorney is essential.

Choosing who will care for your children is never easy, but the right guidance can make the process clearer. This article walks you through key factors, common mistakes, and how to legally document your wishes so your children are protected. With proper planning, you can safeguard your children’s future.

The holidays are more than gatherings and traditions—they are a chance to talk about what truly matters. This season, take a moment to check in on your family’s future. From updating wills and beneficiaries to sharing medical preferences and legacy wishes, these conversations can prevent stress, protect loved ones, and bring lasting peace of mind.

Heath Ledger’s outdated will highlights the importance of updating your estate plan. Failing to review wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations after major life events can lead to probate delays, family disputes, and unintended inheritance outcomes. Regular estate planning reviews protect your children, assets, and legacy, ensuring your wishes are honored and your family is safeguarded.

A life estate deed allows Alabama homeowners to keep their home in their family while avoiding probate. The life estate deed lets the owner retain the right to live in the property for life, then automatically transfers ownership to chosen heirs. While life estate deeds can save time and simplify inheritance, they also limit control and can expose the property to creditor or family complications. Learn how they work, their pros and cons, and when they make sense for your esta

A trust is one of the most effective ways to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are honored. Unlike a will, a trust can provide long-term guidance, privacy, and protection for your family—helping manage assets for children, support beneficiaries responsibly, and avoid probate. Learn how a trust can safeguard your legacy and provide clarity, stability, and peace of mind for future generations.

Fall invites reflection and preparation — making it an ideal time to review your beneficiary designations and organize your financial information. As life evolves, your designations should too, so take a moment to confirm they still align with your wishes. This season is also a great time to document your assets, offering clarity for your loved ones and ensuring your legacy is carried out smoothly. Our Asset Alignment Guide can help you record the key details of your estate.

Charitable giving is more than generosity—it is a way to create lasting impact and reflect your personal values. With the right estate planning strategies, you can support meaningful causes while reducing taxes and protecting your loved ones. Learn how tools like trusts, donor-advised funds, and charitable gifts can help you build a legacy that endures for generations.

Life moves fast—and your estate plan should keep up. Major life changes like marriage, divorce, a new job, or moving to a new state can affect how your plan works. At Provident Law, we recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3–5 years or sooner after a major event. Regular updates help protect your loved ones, honor your wishes, and keep your plan legally effective. Do not wait for change to catch you off guard—be proactive and keep your plan current.

When a loved one passes away, families often face the unfamiliar and emotional process of probate. From court deadlines to legal terms, it can feel overwhelming. This guide answers the most common questions about probate in Alabama and Florida—including when it is required, how long it takes, what it costs, and how proper planning can help you simplify or even avoid the process.

Learn how to prepare a personal representative or trustee in Alabama and Florida, including their duties and legal rights. This guide helps you set your chosen representative up for success, avoid delays or mismanagement, and ensure your estate plan is carried out smoothly for your loved ones.

Blended families face unique estate planning challenges. Without a clear plan, stepchildren may be left out, spouses and children may clash, and assets may not go where you intended. From updating wills and trusts to revising beneficiary designations, thoughtful planning helps protect both your spouse and children. Learn how estate planning can prevent conflict and ensure your loved ones are cared for in Alabama and Florida.

Owning property in both Alabama and Florida can complicate estate administration. When someone passes away with real estate outside their home state, the family may need to open an ancillary probate in the other state. This process adds cost, delay, and stress. Our guide explains how ancillary probate works in Alabama and Florida—and the planning tools, like trusts and special deeds, that can help families avoid it.

After American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s passing, a contested will and $6 million estate battle have raised major questions about capacity, guardianship, and inheritance. His case shows how illness and guardianship complicate estate planning—and how disputes can delay the administration of an estate. Families in Alabama and Florida can learn from his story: plan early, document capacity, and work with an estate planning attorney to avoid costly courtroom battles.

In 2025, Alabama raised the small estate threshold to about $47,000, allowing more families to use the simplified probate process. This update makes transferring assets faster, less costly, and less stressful. Our guide explains how the small estate process works, the rights of surviving spouses, and strategies to minimize probate. Learn how these changes may impact your family and why consulting an Alabama estate planning attorney can help you plan ahead.

Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and legacy—yet many people delay or make critical mistakes. From procrastination and outdated documents to neglecting beneficiary designations and improperly funded trusts, these errors can create conflict and unnecessary costs. Learn about the biggest estate planning mistakes we see and how to avoid them to ensure your wishes are honored.

A durable power of attorney gives an agent broad authority to manage finances if the principal becomes incapacitated. Serving as an agent is both an honor and a fiduciary duty with legal risks. Agents must act in the principal’s best interest, keep accurate records, manage property responsibly, and stay within the scope of authority. By following best practices and seeking legal guidance, agents can protect their loved one’s assets while avoiding costly mistakes.

Choosing the right people to manage your estate plan is just as important as the documents themselves. Your “A-Team” — agents, trustees, executors, and guardians — will carry out your wishes when you can’t. It is essential to select trustworthy, responsible individuals who understand your values. Naming backups and communicating with them ensures your plan works smoothly. At Provident Law, we help you build a confident, reliable estate planning team.

When Bob Marley died at 36, he left no will—sparking decades of legal battles over his music, image, and estate. Despite preaching peace and wisdom, Marley’s lack of planning left his loved ones in conflict. Learn what went wrong, and how to protect your own legacy with clear estate planning. Do not leave your future—and your family's peace of mind—to chance.