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Online Wills in Florida
A last will and testament is one of the most important documents that a person can make in their lifetime, and yet most Americans don’t have one. A will allows you to specify who should inherit your assets after you pass away, appoint guardians for your children and other dependents, make provisions for your pets’ care, list wishes for funeral proceedings, appoint an executor of your estate, and more. If you die without making a will, your property will be distributed to your relatives according to the intestacy laws of your state, and the outcome might be very different from what you would have wanted.
There are several options for making a will: you can hire a lawyer and pay anywhere between $300 to $1,000 for the document, you can make a free will by using a standard template, or you can choose to use an online will-making service and get a customized will for under $70. Today, there are over a dozen online will-making websites on the market that allow you to create online wills tailored to the laws of your state, your estate, and your family situation. Our website has detailed reviews of all the major online will-making services, including their will pricing policies, documents they offer, special features, reputation, and more.
General Information
Florida is well-known for being one of the most popular states for retirement. The state has warm weather, low tax rates, and relatively affordable real estate, which makes it very attractive for older individuals who are looking for a place where they could spend their sunset years. As a result, over 18% of the state’s population are over 65 years of age, which is the 3rd highest proportion of senior citizens in the US.
21,944,600
Population
3/51
18.7%
Population over 65
3/51
2.44%
Population over 85
6/51
2.65
Average Household Size
12/51
$88,938
Average household wealth
36/51
68.1%
Home Ownership
26/51
73.2%
Car Ownership
42/51
495,891
Total notaries
1/51
79,328
Total attorneys
4/51
294
Lawyer hourly rate
11/51
With so many elderly residents, Florida has a huge demand for last will and testament forms. The average hourly rate charged by lawyers in Florida is nearly $300, which makes wills quite expensive for many retirees. Fortunately, residents can use reliable online will-making websites to create affordable online wills in Florida.
Making a Will in Florida
Lawyer needed
No
Signatory requirements
Yourself or authorized representative
Notarization needed
No
Revokation/edit allowed
Yes
Testator minimum age
18
Testator requirements
Sound mind
Witnesses needed
2
Format requirements
In writing
Beneficiary restrictions
None
Florida law allows any person who is over the age of 18 or an emancipated minor to create a will. The testator (person making the will) is required to be of sound mind at the time of writing the document. The testator also has to sign the will personally or direct another individual to sign the document for them in their presence. To become valid, a Florida will must be signed by two witnesses in the presence of each other. It’s important to remember that the witnesses must be present when the testator signs the will, and in turn, the testator also has to be present when witnesses sign the document. Florida accepts typewritten and digital wills, but does not recognize handwritten wills as valid documents.
Changing and Revoking a Florida Will
A testator can amend his or her will and testament at any point in time by creating a codicil to the will. Any amendment should be made only of the testator’s own volition and at a time when he or she is of sound mind.
In Florida, a testator can revoke a last will and testament at any moment by destroying the document with the intent to revoke it, directing someone else to destroy it, creating a new will, writing a codicil, or making another document that expresses their desire to revoke the will.
Special Feature
Financial Power of Attorney in Florida
Financial power of attorney is a document that allows the person creating it (known as the principal) to appoint another individual (known as the agent) to make financial decisions on the principal’s behalf. A Florida power of attorney can give the agent this power as soon as the document is properly signed, or it could stipulate that the agent only receives his or her powers regarding the principal’s finances once the principal is proven to be incapacitated by a medical professional. A durable power of attorney in Florida is a document that remains intact even after the principal is deemed unable to make decisions on their own.
FAQ
What happens if you die without a will in Florida?
If you die before you’ve had the chance to create a Florida-valid last will and testament, your assets will be distributed according to Florida’s intestacy laws.
Does a will in Florida need to be notarized?
No, Florida wills don’t need to be notarized in order to become valid, they just need to be signed by the testator and two witnesses.
Can I write my own will in the state of Florida?
Florida law does not require you to use a lawyer in order to create a will. You can use a will template or create an affordable online will in Florida for under $70.
Are digital wills valid in Florida?
Yes, electronic wills are valid in the state of Florida. This means that you can type up your will using an online will-making service or a pre-made will template, place your e-signature on it, and it will be valid even if it’s not printed out.
Concluding Words About Creating a Will in Florida
Florida law allows any person who is over 18 or an emancipated minor to create a last will and testament as long as they are of sound mind. Online wills in Florida must be signed by the testator, or a person signing on the testator’s behalf, as well as two witnesses. There are no restrictions regarding will beneficiaries. Florida wills must be typewritten or electronic, since handwritten documents are not accepted by the state as valid.
