Florida estate planning · Collier and Lee Counties · Southwest Florida
Estate planning for Naples and Fort Myers property owners
Splitting time between Florida and another state can make a plan harder to keep organized. A Naples condo, a Fort Myers home and an account opened elsewhere may each have different ownership records. Lascaze Law helps seasonal and year-round Southwest Florida households identify the documents and decisions that need a coordinated review.
Distinguish your residence from your property locations
Make a list of where you live during the year and where each property is located. Bring existing wills and trusts, including documents prepared outside Florida. Explain whether you have changed your permanent home or simply spend part of the year here.
Probate venue for a person domiciled in Florida generally follows the county of domicile under §733.101. Owning property in two Florida counties does not, by itself, mean two separate county probate administrations are required. Property in another state raises additional questions to discuss, including whether advice from counsel there is needed.
Use the right records for Collier and Lee County property
Naples is in Collier County; Fort Myers is in Lee County. The respective clerks maintain official-record searches. Obtain the deed for each property and check the named owner rather than assuming both are held the same way.
For a condominium, also collect association information, recurring assessments, any lease and the contact for someone who looks after the unit while you are away. Explain who you hope will use or inherit it and whether that person understands the ongoing costs. Review association and ownership documents before considering a transfer.
Prepare for someone to help while you are away
List the practical responsibilities that continue during an absence: paying bills, receiving notices, accessing records and contacting a manager or association. Then discuss who should have legal authority for relevant financial or health care decisions and who could serve as a backup.
Attorney Dolina Lascaze’s office is in Aventura, with visits by appointment only. Naples and Fort Myers are service areas, not office locations. Confirm meeting arrangements when scheduling and mention your seasonal travel dates and any documents held in another state.
Explore our trust and estate planning services, including living trusts, wills and documents for financial and health care decisions.
Estate planning questions in Naples / Fort Myers
Do properties in Naples and Fort Myers automatically require two Florida probates?
No. Florida probate venue generally follows the decedent’s county of domicile, with statutory rules for someone not domiciled in Florida. Multiple Florida property locations alone do not establish a need for a separate administration in each county.
Is my Florida seasonal home necessarily my legal domicile?
A seasonal address alone does not resolve that question. Explain your residence history, intentions and relevant records during the consultation so the issue can be assessed in context.
Can I put my condo in a trust without reviewing other documents?
Bring the deed, existing trust and association documents first. Ownership, homestead considerations and applicable transfer requirements need review before deciding what action is appropriate.
Can one consultation consider property outside Florida?
Include that property in your inventory so its effect on the Florida plan can be discussed. Legal work involving another state may require counsel admitted there; the consultation should clarify the scope before any transfer is undertaken.
General information; the right plan depends on your circumstances and applicable law.
Florida resources: Florida Statutes §733.101: probate venue · Florida Statutes §732.4015: homestead inheritance · Collier County Clerk: official land records · Lee County Clerk: official records and services
More Florida planning guides
Start with a conversation about your family.
Bring your questions and any existing planning documents. We can discuss your priorities, the scope of the work and next steps.