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Protect your legacy

probate and estate planning

Planning for Life and Beyond
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Our Practice Areas

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Estate Planning for Minors

Planning for Minors is an Absolute Must They…

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Summary Administration

Florida Summary Administration We Want to Be There…

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Formal Administration

Florida Formal Administration Experience You Can Trust Formal…

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Will and Testament

Last Will & Testament Estate Planning Benefits Everyone.…

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Florida Probate

Florida Estate Planning & Probate Law Coral Springs…

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Estate Planning

We Only Practice in Estate Planning & Probate…

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PROTECTING YOUR LEGACY IS WHAT WE DO BEST.

OUR STORY
Established in 2018, The Legacy Law Firm has developed a reputation of delivering high-quality legal solutions in a compassionate and streamlined manner. Founder, Attorney Christine Schafer, envisioned a law firm that would create a client experience where each individual felt heard, seen and important – because they are. We prioritize people, not cases. You and your family matter first at our firm.

ESTATE PLANNING

Embarking on the journey of estate planning might seem like gazing into the future, but it’s essentially about securing your legacy and ensuring that your loved ones are taken care of when you’re not around. Think of it as crafting a roadmap for your assets, wishes, and even your values. Estate planning provides you with the invaluable opportunity to make decisions on your terms and ensure your intentions are crystal clear.
 

Picture it as your personal blueprint for the “what-ifs” of life. From designating guardians for your kids to outlining how you’d like your assets distributed, estate planning empowers you to call the shots. Without a doubt, it’s a gift you give to your future self and your family, offering peace of mind knowing that your affairs are in order.

FLORIDA PROBATE ADMINISTRATION

Losing a loved one is an indescribable pain that often leaves us grappling with a mix of emotions, from sorrow to confusion. Amidst the grieving process, navigating probate court can only intensify the difficulty. The legal intricacies, paperwork, and uncertainties can be overwhelming, leaving individuals feeling lost and burdened during an already challenging time.

 

However, it’s crucial to recognize that the right probate attorney can be a beacon of support in this dark hour. A compassionate and knowledgeable lawyer can help lift the weight of legal complexities off your shoulders, offering guidance through the probate process. They understand the emotional toll of losing a loved one and aim to alleviate the stress associated with probate proceedings.

 

Having our team by your side can streamline the process, making it more manageable and less daunting. From navigating court requirements to managing estate assets and addressing potential conflicts, our team will act as a reliable guide, helping you make informed decisions and ensuring the legalities align with your loved one’s wishes.

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Our Simplified Approach to Your Case

We Listen

We will learn more about you and your goals to ensure your we are the right fit for your matter.

We Advise

We will provide information, answer questions and help you understand the best approach to take with respect to your estate plan or probate matter.

We Get to Work

We will get to work on either tailoring your estate plan to meet your goals or ensuring your probate matter is resolved both efficiently and effectively.

Our Commitment to You

Free initial consultation to see if we are a good fit for your case.

Flat fee billing so there are never surprises.

Streamlined process to ensure you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Open communication and lasting relationships. You are more than a case to us!

MEET Christine

FOUNDER & ATTORNEY
Losing a loved one is one of the most trying times in an individual’s life. Christine knows first hand what it feels like to deal with a loss and the stress that accompanies it. At the young age of 21, Christine lost her father. She has spent her career helping families create the perfect estate plan and assisting others with navigating the probate court.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Crystal Donovan
Crystal Donovan
2023-09-19
Christine was patient and kind during a difficult time handling the estate of my family member. I appreciate that immensely.
Christopher Higa
Christopher Higa
2023-08-08
Christine Schafer helped my wife and I set up a trust for our children. She and her team made this a very easy experience. Christine was very easy to reach. She explained the process, requirements, and everything else in great detail. We felt like we were in good hands the whole time.
John Khin
John Khin
2023-07-19
Christine and her team were professional and efficient in preparing all the necessary estate planning documents for me and my wife. She answered all our questions and talked us through the process.
Karen Dijak
Karen Dijak
2023-07-13
If there were more stars I would certainly give them. Crissy was fabulous. Answered so many of my crazy questions, led me in the right direction of other things I need to do for my Estate Planning. I would highly recommend this firm.
Angela Hsiao
Angela Hsiao
2023-07-11
The Legacy Law Firm is knowledgeable and efficient. I feel comfortable discussing my planning with them and is perfectly satisfied with the service I received. Thank you, Crissy!
Sylvia Cano
Sylvia Cano
2023-05-05
I have known Ms. Christine Schafer for years. She is an excellent lawyer. In addition to her professionalism and knowledge, she is honest, caring and kind. For these reasons, I have referred close friends and my own clients to her. She is without a doubt an attorney that you can trust, especially with your life plan. I highly recommend her.
Nicole Roth
Nicole Roth
2023-04-07
Recently, my life circumstances drastically changed, and Crissy patiently and empathetically walked me through getting my estate in order. She is exceptionally knowledgeable and answered my many questions thoroughly and with compassion. She understands how difficult the process is and made sure I understood each step of the process. I am very grateful that I found Crissy and her team, and I cannot recommend her enough.
Benjamin Gold
Benjamin Gold
2023-04-07
Crissy is a client-first, detail-oriented, grade A+ attorney. Her compassion combined with experience makes her someone you can trust!
Heather Lee O'Keefe
Heather Lee O'Keefe
2022-12-24
Crissy is a true professional and expert on estate/tax planning. She is empathetic and really cares about helping her clients. I cannot recommend her enough!

Frequently Asked Questions

Probate is a legal process that verifies and administers the distribution of a deceased person’s assets and estate, either according to their will or following the laws of intestacy if there is no will, with the aim of settling debts, taxes, and ensuring the rightful beneficiaries receive their inheritances while under court supervision.
In the probate process, you can expect a legal procedure that involves validating the deceased person’s will, or determining how their assets are distributed if there’s no will, settling outstanding debts and taxes, and overseeing the fair distribution of the remaining assets to beneficiaries or heirs. The process may involve court supervision, potential legal fees, and can vary in duration depending on the complexity of the estate and local regulations.
The duration of the probate process can vary significantly based on factors such as the complexity of the estate, local laws, potential disputes, and court caseload. In simpler cases, probate can take several months to a year, while more complex or contested cases may extend for several years. Generally, it’s advisable to expect the process to last several months, but the specific timeline should be discussed with a legal professional who can provide a more accurate estimate based on the unique circumstances of the estate.
Assets that typically go through probate are those owned solely by the deceased person without designated beneficiaries or co-owners, including real estate held solely in their name, bank accounts not designated as payable-on-death or held jointly, personal property, and assets that lack a trust or specific instructions for distribution in a will or other legal document.
To avoid probate, individuals can use various estate planning strategies, including creating a revocable living trust to hold their assets, designating beneficiaries for assets like life insurance policies and retirement account or establishing joint tenancy for real estate or bank accounts. Understanding which strategy is right for you may require the assistance of a qualified estate planning attorney.
Summary administration is a streamlined probate process, available for those estates with values that are less than $75,000 or if the decedent has been deceased for more than 2 years. This process is designed to expedite the distribution of assets after someone’s passing, involving fewer court procedures and reduced formalities compared to Formal Administration. It is quicker process and less costly.
Formal Administration is the appropriate court process for those estates where the value exceeds $75,000. There is a mandatory 3-month creditor period and the overall process to close the estate could take up to 12 months. During this process, a personal representative will be appointed, and they will have authority to carry out the probate process. Details on this type of administration should be discussed with an experienced probate attorney.
Estate planning is the process of arranging for the management and distribution of one’s assets and wealth, both during their lifetime and after their death, to ensure that their wishes are carried out, their loved ones are provided for, and to minimize legal fees and complications associated with asset transfer, often involving the creation of wills, trusts, and the establishment of strategies to protect and transfer assets efficiently.
ChatGPT

A will and a trust are both estate planning tools, but they differ in how they distribute assets upon the individual’s death. A will is a legal document that outlines the deceased person’s wishes, designating beneficiaries for specific assets and naming an executor to oversee the distribution process through the probate court. On the other hand, a trust is a legal entity that holds and manages assets for the benefit of beneficiaries, allowing for the seamless transfer of assets outside of probate. While a will becomes effective only after death and is subject to probate, a trust can facilitate a smoother and more private transfer of assets during the individual’s lifetime and after, often avoiding the delays and expenses associated with probate court.

Estate planning is crucial because it allows you to outline how your assets will be distributed after your death, designate guardians for minor children, plan for potential incapacity, minimize estate taxes, and ensure that your loved ones are provided for according to your wishes, ultimately providing peace of mind, reducing potential conflicts, and ensuring that your legacy is managed efficiently and in accordance with your intentions.
When planning for a minor child through estate planning, it’s essential to designate a legal guardian in your will to ensure the child’s care if you and the other parent are unable to do so. Additionally, you can create a trust to hold and manage assets for the child’s benefit, specifying how the assets should be used for their upbringing, education, and other needs. Appointing a trustee to oversee the trust is crucial, and you can set specific conditions, such as the child receiving funds at a certain age or for specific purposes. Regularly review and update these provisions to reflect changing circumstances and the child’s evolving needs as they grow.
A revocable living trust offers several benefits, including the potential to avoid probate, maintain privacy as trust details remain private, provide for smooth asset management in case of incapacity without the need for court intervention, allow for seamless asset transfer to beneficiaries upon your death, and flexibility for modifying or revoking the trust during your lifetime, making it a valuable and popular tool for estate planning.

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