Florida Estate Planning Checklist Before the Holidays 2025

With the holidays approaching, many Florida families gather for big meals, reconnect with loved ones, and reflect on what’s truly important. It’s also a smart time to make sure your estate plan is ready—no loose ends, no confusion, no stress for your family. Use this Florida Estate Planning Checklist to review and update your documents and plans before the end of the year.

Why Now Is the Right Time

• Life changes—births, deaths, marriages, divorces—tend to happen, and the holidays often highlight gaps or unspoken wishes.

• End of year is when people often make decisions about finances, taxes, and gifts; having a plan in place helps maximize benefit and avoid costly mistakes.

• Many legal deadlines, homestead exemptions, beneficiary updates, and tax-year impacts align with calendar year end.

• It gives you peace of mind walking into the new year, knowing your estate plan reflects your current wishes and circumstances.

Florida Estate Planning Checklist for 2025 Holidays

Here are the key items to tick off. Some may be brand new; others may just need review or updates.

#	Item	What to Do / What to Check
1. Inventory Your Assets	List everything you own: real estate, cars, boats, bank accounts, retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s), business interests, personal property, digital assets (online accounts, crypto, photos). Make sure titles and ownership are up-to-date.
2. Review Your Will	Make sure your will names the right beneficiaries, executor (personal representative), guardians for minor children, and that it complies with Florida’s execution requirements (witnesses, signatures). If it’s old or from another state, consider having it reviewed.
3. Consider a Revocable Living Trust (if needed)	For folks with multiple properties, out-of-state assets, or wishing to avoid probate and keep privacy. Check that it’s funded properly—assets are transferred into the trust.
4. Update Powers of Attorney	• Financial POA: Named agent(s) are willing, alive, and capable. • Healthcare POA / Health Care Surrogate: Same check. Ensure documents meet Florida law. Add HIPAA release so medical info can be shared when needed.
5. Advance Medical Directives / Living Will	If your preferences have changed (treatment, life support, end-of-life), update these. Ensure your medical surrogate knows your wishes. Share copies with family & doctors.
6. Beneficiary Designations	Check every account: retirement, insurance, bank POD/TOD, life insurance. Confirm the beneficiaries are current and see whether contingent/successor beneficiaries are named. Make any updates.
7. Homestead & Property Title	If your primary Florida home has homestead status, confirm you still qualify. Check how your home is titled; consider Lady Bird deed or other enhanced life estate tools if helpful for probate avoidance.
8. Trusts & Estate Planning for Special Situations	If you have trust(s), confirm they’re still appropriate. Update contents, successor trustees. Consider special-needs trusts, business succession, or blended family arrangements.
9. Record & Organize Documents	Ensure all signed originals are stored in a safe place. Make sure your personal representative or trusted family member knows where to find them. Keep copies with attorney.
10. Digital & Final Wishes	Create or update list of digital assets (passwords, accounts). Add any final instructions for funeral, burial/cremation, memorial wishes. Communicate those with someone you trust.
11. Tax & Gift Planning	Review year-end gift opportunities, charitable giving, and how these may interact with your estate. Coordinate with any tax planning advisors.
12. Review & Update Regularly	Establish a habit: review every 3-5 years, or immediately after major life events. Holidays are a good trigger.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Neglecting updates after life changes (new grandchildren, divorce, moving).

• Forgetting beneficiary designations override wills for many accounts.

• Not funding a trust properly (leaving assets titled in your name rather than in trust).

• Storing documents in places where important people can’t find them.

• Not having backup agents or executors named.

• Using outdated forms that don’t meet current Florida law.

How ALG Can Help You Get Holiday-Ready

At Absolute Law Group, we can assist in making your Florida estate plan holiday-ready by:

• Reviewing your current estate plan for gaps or outdated terms.

• Helping with drafting or updating wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical directives.

• Walking you through Florida-specific tools (Lady Bird Deed, homestead protections, etc.).

• Organizing your asset inventory and ensuring beneficiary designations are aligned.

• Making sure everything is properly executed, signed, witnessed, and stored.

If you start now and check off this list before the holidays, you’ll enter 2026 confident that your estate plan reflects your current life and wishes. Would you like me to put together a printable version of this checklist you can share with clients or post on social media?