A will can save your family so much grief and headaches that not doing one would be a grave mistake. If you die without a will, the Florida statutes will dictate where your property goes, and it will not follow your intention. Your estate will go to a succession of family members and possibly to the one person you don't want to keep any of your property.    

Listen to this David vs. Goliath podcast episode with elite personal injury lawyer Matt Dolman featuring estate planning lawyer Gian-Franco Melendez, Esq. They talk about the importance of having a will and when to draft one, your net worth before getting a will, the other documents you need to have, how your will plays out after you pass away, and more. 

In this episode: 

• [00:48] Matt Dolman introduces his guest, Gian-Franco Melendez, and the topic of the day: the importance of having a will
• [01:35] When is the proper time to get a will? 
• [02:03] What happens if you die without a will? 
• [03:30] Do I need more than just a last will? Yes, consider healthcare surrogate designation and more.
• [06:51] What is a durable power of attorney, and when does it kick in?
• [07:57] If you have kids, you need a will now. What should be in it?
• [09:52] Your will is not static. What you can do when your life's circumstances changes
• [11:21 At what net worth do you need a will?
• [12:26] Don't it: dangers of drafting a will by yourself or using a DIY legal service online 
• [14:39] When you die, how does your will play out? 
• [16:08] What is a revocable trust, and what are the benefits?
• [17:45] Other mechanisms and documents of estate planning you should know

💡 Meet Your Host 💡

Name Matthew A. Dolman, Esq.

Title: Partner at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

Specialty: Matt is a nationally recognized insurance and personal injury attorney and focuses much of his practice on the litigation of catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. 

Connect: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram 

💡 Featured Guest 💡

Name Gian-Franco Melendez, Esq.

Title: Owner at The Law Office of Gian-Franco Melendez, LLC 

Bio: Gian-Franco runs a general practice law firm in Florida with a focus on immigration law, estate planning, business law matters, and real estate law.

Connect:  LinkedIn 

🔑 Relevant Resources 🔑

• Intestate probate
• Healthcare surrogate designation
• Living will or do not resuscitate order
• Terri Schiavo case
• Durable power of attorney
• Codicil
• Right of survivorship
• Tendency by the entirety

The insights and views presented in “David vs. Goliath” are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Any case result information provided on any portion of this podcast should not be understood as a promise of any particular result in a future case. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: Big firm results, small firm personal attention.