There’s a visible sense of relief my clients feel once their estate plan is signed and safely tucked away,
knowing they’ve taken an important step to protect their family’s future. Yet, before they leave my office, I
remind them that an outdated plan can create significant challenges.
REGULAR REVIEWS RECOMMENDED
I advise my clients to review their estate planning documents every three to five years, or sooner if there is a
life-changing event. Here’s why:
•Family changes. Marriage, divorce, the birth of grandchildren or the loss of a loved one can all impact how
you want your assets distributed.
•Financial changes. If you have sold a business, purchased real estate, inherited assets or experienced
other changes with your finances, your plan should reflect your current circumstances.
•Law changes. This important factor is often overlooked. Changes to federal tax laws and Florida law can
affect your estate plan in significant ways without you realizing it.
UPDATE OLD STRATEGIES
When I review some older trust-based plans, I often identify what were once essential planning techniques
but which now may be detrimental to the family if left in place.
One example is the inclusion of “credit shelter trusts,” originally used to minimize federal estate taxes. Today, with
much higher estate tax exemptions, these trusts can create unnecessary complications, limit flexibility and even
increase taxes significantly for heirs when appreciated property is sold.
CHECK ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS
Estate planning is about more than just wills and trusts. It is also important to ensure that ancillary
documents, such as health care surrogate designations, living wills and durable powers of attorney, are
updated over time since these documents indicate who is authorized to make your medical and financial
decisions for you in the event of your incapacity. In addition to your wishes possibly changing
as to desired decision makers, Florida has, over the years, revised laws governing these documents that
impact how they must be drafted in order to be valid.
If your documents are outdated, they may be incomplete or ineffective, leaving your family facing delays or
court involvement when timely decisions are critical.
MY ADVICE
A periodic review of your estate plan is not just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about creating opportunities.
Beyond preparing documents, a knowledgeable estate planning attorney can provide guidance to protect
assets for future generations, minimize taxes and ensure wealth is preserved and passed on according to your
wishes.
Thoughtful planning also addresses practical concerns such as incapacity planning, business succession,
charitable giving and creditor protection. If it has been more than a few years since your last review, now is the
time to update your plan and gain the peace of mind that comes from
Jeffrey R. Hudson, Esq. Partner
DIRECT PHONE:407-246 6587
EMAIL: jhudson@whww.com
Jeffrey Hudson is a firm partner practicing in the areas of estate planning and elder law, with a special focus on probate avoidance, asset preservation planning, planned giving strategies, business succession planning, long-term care planning, planning for disability, and estate settlement, including probate and trust administration. His legal career has been dedicated to helping clients in the field of trusts and estates, where he feels called to provide families with peace of mind through planning. He is a Central Florida native and attended Stetson University in DeLand and American University in Washington, D.C., during an internship at the U. S. Senate. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Barry University. Hudson maintains memberships with local chambers of commerce, serves on community boards, and lectures on various estate-planning topics as a guest speaker
ABOUT THE FIRM
Founded in 1931, Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, P.A. is the oldest law firm in Central Florida, as named by the Orlando Business Journal. The firm offers a full range of services, including legal representation in business law, litigation and appeals, bankruptcy, banking, insurance law, estates and trusts, government, property rights, and real estate, as well as other areas.