The Law Office of Kenton Whitmer, located in Chiefland, Florida, provides legal services for the Tri-County area. The law firm specializes in estate planning and probate, business transactions, and real estate transactions.

Estate planning, one of the most important parts of family life, helps make sure that your family is taken care of after you are gone. An estate plan encompasses many aspects of your and your family's life: your home, personal property, money, as well as future medical decisions. Everyone, at any stage of his or her life, can benefit from an estate plan.

An estate plan, which typically consists of a will, a power of attorney designation, a living will, a designation of a health surrogate, and a trust will do the following:

determine who receives your property after your death;

determinie the future care of your minor children;

minimize estate taxes;

prevent unnecessary administrative costs for your survivors; and

make your healthcare decisions legally binding.

In addition to these five major goals, your estate plan can address other issues as needed, such as income tax planning, insurance, retirement planning, family and charitable giving, and ownership succession for a family business, your estate plan should be customized to fit your own family and financial situation. The following are a few questions you should consider:

• Who are your dependents?
• Who should be your beneficiaries?
• Should they receive your property outright or in trust?
• Who should be named as your personal representative? Trustee?
• Who should serve as a guardian for any minor children?
• Who are the beneficiaries of your insurance and retirement benefits?

Without a proper estate plan, you may not be able to control how your assets are distributed after your death, or who will manage your assets and make medical decisions in case of incapacity. At The Law Office of Kenton Whitmer, Mr. Whitmer can help you design an estate plan that fits you and your family's particular needs.

A Little Bit About Kenton Whitmer
Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, Kenton Whitmer attended the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. After graduating from the University of Louisville, Kenton decided to pursue a career in law and enrolled at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. After graduating from Thomas M. Cooley Law School with Distinction, he interned with the Florida Department of Children and Families in Trenton. He became a member of the Florida Bar in 2008. Kenton Whitmer is an avid tennis player and enjoys cheering on the Florida Gators along with his Alma Mater, the University of Louisville Cardinals.