Publication date: 06.05.2025
Yulianna Bukovskaya, Esq. is the leading attorney for Buro Law Group, PLLC, with over 15 years of experience in the field. Ms. Bukovskaya’s professionalism and strong work ethic have attracted domestic and international clients seeking her expertise. Ms. Bukovskaya is admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts as well as the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Prior to establishing her private practice in Florida, Ms. Bukovskaya was associated with one of Florida’s largest and most distinguished firms, Duane Morris, LLP, where she received superior training in complex international and commercial litigation.
At Buro Law, we are committed to providing personalized estate planning services that reflect each client’s unique values and wishes. A recent collaboration with a client, whom we will refer to as Jane Smith for confidentiality reasons, exemplifies our commitment to providing thoughtful and responsive legal support.
Understanding Client Needs
Jane, a 56-year-old retiree, approached us to organize her affairs to ensure that her medical and financial decisions would be carried out in the future. Her main concerns included:
Ensuring that her assets were distributed according to her wishes.
- Appointing a trustee to make health care decisions on her behalf if she became incapacitated.
- Clearly defining her preferences for end-of-life medical treatment.
Developing a personalized estate plan
After extensive consultation, we developed a comprehensive estate plan that included:
Last Will and Testament: This document detailed the distribution of Jane’s assets among her chosen beneficiaries and appointed a personal representative to oversee the administration of her estate.
Appointment of a healthcare surrogate mother: Jane appointed her daughter as a healthcare surrogate mother, giving her the authority to make medical decisions on Jane’s behalf if she became incapacitated.
Living Will: This advance directive set out Jane’s preferences for life-sustaining treatment, ensuring that her healthcare would be in line with her values and wishes.
Emphasizing Communication and Accessibility
Recognizing the importance of clear communication, we advised Jane to discuss her estate plan with her family members, including her designated health care representative. We also provided guidance on how to safely store these documents and share copies with appropriate parties, such as her family doctor and family members, to ensure they were easily accessible when needed.
Providing Peace of Mind
By proactively addressing her estate planning needs, Jane gained confidence that her personal, medical, and financial affairs were in order. This comprehensive approach not only protected her interests, but also eased the potential burden on her family during difficult times.
If you are considering creating or updating an estate plan, including wills and health care directives,
our experienced attorney, Yulianna Bukovska, is ready to help you. Contact us today
to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards securing your future.
Comprehensive Estate Planning: A Client-Centered Approach to Wills and Medical Directives
Estate planning is an important process that provides asset protection, financial stability, and legal security for your heirs. A comprehensive approach includes not only drafting a will, but also medical directives that specify your wishes for medical care in the event of incapacity.
1. Will and its meaning
Making a will - identifying heirs and distributing assets.- Appointing an executor - choosing a responsible person to manage the estate.
- Custody of children - identifying guardians for minor children.
- Updating a will - making changes after important life events.
A will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, not according to general inheritance rules.
2. Medical directives and capacity planning
Power of attorney for medical decisions - appointing a person to make decisions about your treatment.- Living will - a document that specifies your wishes for medical care in critical situations.
- Financial power of attorney - managing finances in the event of loss of capacity.
- Long-term care planning - determining the terms of medical care and insurance.
Medical directives help avoid uncertainty and ensure that your wishes are carried out in difficult situations.
3. Probate and asset protection
Living trust - transferring property without a court hearing.- Joint ownership - automatically transferring assets to another owner.
- Beneficiary designation – insurance policies, retirement accounts and deposits can have designated heirs.
- Direct Deed Accounts (POD) – automatic transfer of funds to heirs.
These methods reduce risks, legal costs and administrative complexity.
4. Inheritance Taxation and Financial Planning
Inheritance tax planning – use of benefits and tax reductions.- Asset protection trusts – protect assets from debts and legal claims.
- Charitable bequests – reduce taxation through donations.
- Strategic gifting – transfer of assets during life to avoid high taxes.
How can inheritance tax planning help reduce financial burdens?
Inheritance tax planning allows individuals to minimize tax liabilities, protect their assets, and ensure a smoother wealth transfer to beneficiaries through strategic exemptions and financial tools.
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📌 Competent inheritance planning guarantees financial stability and legal security for your
Effective planning allows you to ensure maximum financial benefit for heirs.
