Estate Planning Lawyer in Venice, Florida
Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney & Advanced Directives Tailored to Your Needs
When it comes to protecting your future and ensuring your wishes are honored, estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take. At Casella Law Group, we provide personalized estate planning services for individuals and families in Venice, FL, and throughout Sarasota County. Whether you're creating your first will, updating an existing plan, or preparing legal documents for healthcare and financial decisions, our experienced estate planning attorneys are here to guide you with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Why Estate Planning Matters in Florida
According to AARP, approximately 60% of adults in the U.S. do not have a will or estate plan. This is understandable—many people delay estate planning because it involves facing difficult “what if” scenarios. However, having a well-crafted estate plan is one of the most responsible and loving things you can do for yourself and your loved ones.
Estate planning is not just for the elderly or the wealthy. It’s for anyone who wants to:
Ensure their assets go to the right people
Avoid probate court
Appoint someone they trust to manage financial or medical affairs
Protect children or dependents
Minimize estate taxes
Maintain peace of mind
Whether you live in Venice, Englewood, Nokomis, North Port, or elsewhere in Sarasota County, Casella Law Group is here to provide clear, customized estate planning solutions that reflect your wishes and protect your future.
Comprehensive Estate Planning Services We Offer in Venice, FL
Our law firm assists clients with every component of a comprehensive estate plan, including:
Last Will and Testament
Your will is the foundation of your estate plan. It allows you to:
Specify who will inherit your property and assets
Appoint a guardian for minor children
Name a personal representative (executor) to carry out your wishes
Without a valid will, Florida's intestacy laws will determine how your estate is distributed—and the outcome may not reflect your intentions.
Our Venice estate planning lawyers will draft a will that meets Florida’s legal formalities and reflects your unique wishes.
Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
A trust is a legal tool that holds and manages assets on behalf of beneficiaries. Trusts are useful for:
Avoiding probate
Maintaining privacy
Providing for minors, loved ones with special needs, or those who may need financial guidance
Protecting assets from creditors
We help clients create revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, testamentary trusts, and more. If you reside in Venice or own property in Florida, a trust can simplify the estate settlement process for your family and potentially reduce legal costs.
Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney (POA) gives someone you trust the legal authority to handle your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. This includes:
Managing bank accounts
Paying bills
Handling real estate transactions
Managing investments
Without a POA, your loved ones may need to go through a lengthy guardianship proceeding just to handle basic financial matters on your behalf. Our attorneys ensure your power of attorney document complies with Florida Statutes §709.2101–709.2402, including required language for real estate and financial powers.
Health Care Surrogate & Advanced Directives
Florida law allows you to plan for medical decisions through two key documents:
Health Care Surrogate Designation: Appoints someone to make medical decisions if you're unable to communicate.
Living Will: Expresses your wishes about end-of-life care, such as whether you want life-sustaining treatment in certain situations.
These documents are especially important for residents of Venice, where many individuals are retirees or undergoing medical procedures. Most hospitals require these directives before elective surgeries or advanced treatments.
Casella Law Group will prepare your health care documents in compliance with Florida law, so your wishes are honored even when you can’t speak for yourself.
Codicils and Amendments
Already have a will or trust but need to make updates? We assist clients in Venice with codicils (amendments to a will) and trust amendments to reflect life changes such as:
Marriage or divorce
Birth of children or grandchildren
Death of a beneficiary
Significant changes in assets
Outdated estate plans can lead to confusion and legal disputes. Our team will review your current documents and ensure everything reflects your current wishes.
Why DIY Estate Planning Is Risky in Florida
With the rise of online legal forms, it’s tempting to draft a will or power of attorney without legal help. However, Florida imposes strict legal requirements for estate documents to be valid and enforceable.
Common issues with DIY documents include:
Improper witnessing or notarization
Ambiguous language
Failure to comply with Florida-specific statutes
Missing documents, like powers of attorney or health care directives
Invalid or unenforceable provisions
What’s more, these one-size-fits-all templates can’t account for unique family dynamics, blended families, special needs children, or homestead property laws in Florida.
An error in your estate plan could cost your family time, money, and stress. Working with a local estate planning attorney in Venice ensures everything is legally sound and tailored to your circumstances.
Florida Estate Planning Laws You Should Know
Florida has specific laws that impact how your estate is handled. A few examples:
Homestead Laws: Special rules apply to your primary residence, which may affect how it is passed to a spouse or children.
Elective Share: A surviving spouse may claim 30% of the deceased spouse’s estate, even if excluded from the will.
Intestacy Rules: If you die without a will, Florida statutes determine how your assets are divided—often contrary to your preferences.
Guardianship: Without advance planning, your loved ones may need court approval to manage your affairs during incapacity.
At Casella Law Group, we stay current on Florida’s evolving estate laws to ensure your documents are legally compliant and fully enforceable.
Who Needs an Estate Plan in Venice, FL?
Everyone. If you’re over 18 and own any assets, have children, or want control over your healthcare decisions, you need an estate plan. Our firm assists a wide range of clients, including:
Retirees relocating to or living in Venice and Sarasota County
Young families establishing guardianship provisions for minor children
Blended families seeking to clarify inheritance
Business owners planning for succession
High-net-worth individuals seeking asset protection strategies
No matter your age, income, or family structure, we’ll craft an estate plan that reflects your goals and values.
Why Choose Casella Law Group?
As a trusted law firm serving Venice and Sarasota County, Casella Law Group is committed to delivering personalized legal solutions with compassion and care.
When you work with our estate planning attorneys, you can expect:
Clear Communication – We explain every document in plain language
Tailored Plans – No boilerplate forms—your estate plan is built for your life
Flat Fees Available – Transparent pricing with no surprises
Ongoing Support – We’re here to update your plan as your life changes
Local Experience – We understand Florida law and the needs of Venice residents
Your peace of mind matters. Let us help you plan ahead with confidence.
Schedule Your Estate Planning Consultation in Venice, FL
Whether you’re planning for the future or updating existing documents, Casella Law Group is here to help. Our estate planning attorneys proudly serve clients throughout Venice, Osprey, Nokomis, Englewood, North Port, and the greater Sarasota area.
Call us today at (941) 234-1432 or complete our contact us form and a member of our firm will follow up with you.
We’ll guide you through every step of the process—so you can protect your loved ones, preserve your assets, and enjoy peace of mind for years to come.