Life can change fast, and a clear plan helps your family stay steady when it does. At Barbara M. Pizzolato, P.A., we build estate plans that fit real lives in Fort Myers and across Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. For more than 35 years, Barbara has helped clients put strong documents in place and avoid headaches later.
Whether you are starting a new plan or updating an existing one, we provide simple explanations and consistent support. You get a plan that reflects your wishes, respects Florida law, and stands ready when your family needs it.
An estate plan lets you choose who receives your property, who raises your kids if something happens to you, and who speaks for you on medical care. Without it, Florida’s intestacy rules control the process, which can send assets in directions you never wanted. A plan brings clarity, trims delays, and helps ease tension among loved ones.
Here is what a solid plan often covers in our area:
With these choices written down, your family is not left guessing or arguing in a stressful moment.
Our firm listens first, then we build a plan that matches your goals and household. Every step is explained in plain terms, so you know what each document does and why it matters.
Your family’s needs are your own, and your plan should reflect that. We shape documents to your goals, your loved ones, and your finances, whether simple or more layered.
Most plans include a will, one or more trusts, a durable power of attorney, and health care documents. We also address naming guardians for minors and structuring gifts to fit your values.
We prepare documents that line up with your wishes and Florida law. That often includes wills, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts for tax or asset protection goals, and advance directives.
If you own a business or rental property, we add clear instructions for management or transfer. We also plan for possible incapacity, so bills get paid, and care decisions are made without court delays.
After a death, families lean on us for probate and trust administration. We handle filings, timelines, and notices, which lightens the load during a hard time.
We explain the Florida statutes that apply to your plan and your estate, and we keep your documents aligned with those rules. That way, your plan works when it is needed most.
We structure plans that aim to reduce estate tax exposure at the federal level, manage capital gains concerns, and protect inheritances for children or grandchildren. Your plan can also address creditor risks and divorce risks for beneficiaries.
Assets we often help protect include:
Thoughtful planning here can save your family time and money later.
Feature | Will | Revocable Living Trust | Florida Notes |
Probate exposure | Goes through probate | Avoids probate for funded assets | Proper funding of the trust is required |
Privacy | Public court file | Private administration | Trust terms are not filed with the court |
Incapacity planning | Power of attorney needed | Trustee can manage assets | Smoother management if you cannot act |
Cost over time | Lower up front, higher later | Higher up front, fewer court costs later | Family often sees faster access to assets |
Real estate handling | Probate deed transfers | Trust holds title | Can simplify transfers of homestead or condos |
We will help you pick the right approach, then fund the plan so it actually works.
Your plan should fit your goals today and stay flexible for tomorrow. Here are the common building blocks we create for clients in Fort Myers and nearby communities.
We discuss each tool with you, then put only what you need into place.
Florida law has features that can help families, as long as your plan respects the rules. We explain how these rules touch your property and your beneficiaries.
We factor these items into your documents, so your written wishes stand up when needed.
Clients often ask similar questions, and straight answers help you move forward with confidence. Here are a few we hear often at our Fort Myers office.
Florida’s intestacy rules decide who receives your assets. The court will also decide who handles your estate. Those results might not match what you wanted, which is why a simple will makes a big difference.
Assets titled in a properly funded trust pass outside of probate. Your successor trustee can step in quickly and follow your written instructions. That saves time, trims court costs, and keeps your family’s affairs private.
Review every three to five years, or after life changes like marriage, divorce, relocation to Florida, a new child, or a major purchase. Laws change, and families grow, and your plan should match your life as it is now. A short review meeting can catch small issues before they become big ones.
Discover how you may protect your assets and provide for your loved ones by viewing our educational estate planning webinar, attorney Barbara M. Pizzolato explains:
After viewing the webinar, you can schedule a free 2-hour consultation with Ms. Pizzolato through our website to discuss your estate planning options and your next steps to update your current estate plan or put your estate plan in place.
Appointment only
NEW YORK
Suite 240, One Suffolk Square
1601 Veterans Memorial Hwy
Islandia, NY 11749
Appointment only
NEW JERSEY
c/o Richard A. Feldman, Esq.
80 Main Street, Suite 140
West Orange, NJ 07052
Barbara M. Pizzolato, P.A. proudly offers Estate Planning and Legal Services in Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs, Lee County, Collier County, Charlotte County & Southwest Florida.
Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.
