Fort Walton Beach Estate Planning Attorneys

Protecting Your Wealth, Legacy & Loved Ones in Okaloosa County & Northwest Florida

A solid estate plan is essential for preparing for incapacity, protecting loved ones, and distributing hard-earned assets without the cost, delay, and public exposure of probate. At Cotton & Gates, Attorneys at Law, we don’t just draft documents; we design plans tailored to each client’s situation and long-term objectives. 

Since 1976, our estate planning lawyers have empowered families to step into the future with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re a new parent in a blended family, a retiree organizing for the next chapter, or a military servicemember preparing for deployment, we can help you build an estate plan that provides enduring peace of mind. 

Protect your legacy and your family’s future in Fort Walton Beach with thoughtful guidance from our estate planning lawyers. Contact us online to get started.

Essential Elements of a Comprehensive Estate Plan 

We build most estate plans around four core legal tools to protect your family, finances, and healthcare choices:

• Last will and testament. This outlines how your assets are distributed, names a trusted personal representative to manage your estate, and nominates guardians for minor children. 
• Durable power of attorney. This designates a person to manage your affairs if an emergency leaves you incapacitated. Having this document in place can help your family avoid a costly court-ordered guardianship process.
• Designation of healthcare surrogate. This appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot. We draft these documents to meet strict statutory requirements that generic online forms frequently miss.
• Living will. This outlines your preferences for end-of-life medical treatment. Documenting your choices ahead of time can spare your loved ones from the burden of making those decisions for you.

Updating Your Estate Plan After a Divorce 

Finalizing a divorce is a major life transition that shifts your personal and financial priorities. Once your marriage is legally dissolved, your existing estate plan might still name your former spouse as your primary beneficiary, executor, or healthcare surrogate. Leaving these outdated documents in place can create serious complications and give your ex-spouse unintended control over your assets or medical care. 

While Florida law automatically voids certain will and trust provisions affecting an ex-spouse after a divorce, relying on these default rules can leave gaps in your estate plan. Statutory rules don’t automatically update life insurance beneficiaries or remove your former spouse’s relatives from contingent roles. Failing to proactively update your documents can lead to lengthy court battles and confusion. 

We can help you lay a strong foundation for your new chapter by reviewing your marital settlement agreement, revoking outdated powers of attorney, and drafting new estate documents that align with your current goals. By letting us handle the legal details, you can move forward knowing that your wealth and healthcare choices are fully protected. 

How Often Should I Update My Estate Plan?

We recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3–5 years, as well as after major life changes like marriage, divorce, acquiring or selling significant assets, or the birth or adoption of a new child. Our firm provides ongoing support to keep your estate plan current and up to date. 

Will My Family Have to Pay an Estate Tax? 

Florida has no state estate tax. The federal estate tax exemption is currently in the millions per person, so the vast majority of families never owe federal estate tax. For clients whose net worth approaches this threshold, we can explore targeted planning strategies to limit potential tax exposure and preserve more assets for the people you care about. 

Unique Estate Planning Considerations for Military Servicemembers 

Our proximity to Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field and background in military and civil service means we regularly assist servicemembers and their families with estate planning needs that go beyond a standard will or trust. 

We can coordinate your planning documents around the realities of military life so your family has a clear plan when it matters most. Our lawyers are familiar with the considerations involved in military planning, including:

• SGLI and VGLI life insurance. We can review beneficiary designations after marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child so they reflect your current wishes.
• Survivor benefit plan. Your SBP election can have lasting financial consequences for your family, making it an important part of retirement planning.
• Thrift savings plan. TSP beneficiary designations are separate from your will and should be reviewed alongside your other estate planning documents.
• Dependent care. Active-duty parents need plans for who will care for their children if they are unavailable.
• Legal residence. Our attorneys can coordinate your estate plan with the laws of your state of domicile when needed.