Ryan Bird Law, PLLC

08/31/2026

Myth: “Estate planning is something to worry about later, when I’m older.”

Reality: A lot of the most important documents have nothing to do with old age. A power of attorney, a health care surrogate, and guardianship instructions for minor children matter if something unexpected happens while you are still young.

Waiting does not make the process easier. It just leaves those decisions unmade.

If you have questions about your own plan, feel free to reach out. Happy to help.

08/28/2026

Did you know that if you die without a will or trust in Florida, the state already has a default plan for who inherits?

That default does not always match what people assume. Second marriages and blended families are where this comes up most. A surviving spouse does not automatically receive everything if there are children from a prior relationship.

A will or a trust lets you make those choices instead of leaving them to the statute.

If you have questions about your own plan, feel free to reach out. Happy to help.

08/27/2026

A couple signed a revocable living trust years ago and felt like they were done. When one of them passed away, the family found out the house and several accounts had never been moved into the trust.

The trust was valid. It just didn’t control those assets. Those pieces still had to go through probate.

That’s more common than people think. Signing the documents is only part of it. The accounts, titles, and beneficiary forms have to match the plan.

If you have questions about your own plan, feel free to reach out. Happy to help.

Call now to connect with business.

08/26/2026

Quick check to see if your plan is still current:

1. Have you had any big life changes since you last updated your documents (marriage, divorce, new child, move, or significant inheritance)?

2. Do the people named as your power of attorney, health care surrogate, and personal representative still make sense?

3. Are your beneficiary forms on life insurance and retirement accounts still accurate?

4. Could the right person actually find your documents if something happened tomorrow?

If any of these feel uncertain, it’s worth a quick review.

If you have questions about your own plan, feel free to reach out. Happy to help.

08/21/2026

A lot of people tell me they keep putting estate planning off because it feels like a big project.

In practice, most families need a handful of clear decisions; not a thick binder of complicated strategies. Once those decisions are in writing, the relief is usually bigger than they expected.

If you have questions about your own plan, feel free to reach out. Happy to help.

08/20/2026

Thank you Brevard!! We are so grateful to be named the Winner of the 2026 Community Choice Award for Estate Planning Attorney. This is our second consecutive year receiving this honor and we will continue working hard to earn your vote again in 2027.

08/19/2026

Three documents almost every adult should have in writing:

-A will or trust (so your wishes for your property are clear)
-A durable power of attorney (so someone can handle finances if you cannot)
-A health care surrogate / advance directive (so medical decisions can be made according to your wishes)

These three cover the most common gaps families run into.

If you have questions about your own plan, feel free to reach out. Happy to help.

08/18/2026

What happens if you become unable to manage your own affairs and you don’t have a durable power of attorney?

In Florida, your family generally cannot just step in and handle your bank accounts, bills, or property. They may have to ask a court for authority. That process takes time and adds stress during an already difficult period.

A durable power of attorney is the document that lets someone you choose act for you if you cannot.

If you have questions about your own plan, feel free to reach out. Happy to help.

08/14/2026

Florida’s homestead laws offer strong protections for your primary residence, but the details matter. How the property is titled, whether you’re married, and what your planning documents say can all affect what happens if something unexpected occurs.

Many Space Coast families are surprised by how these pieces fit together. A short conversation can bring a lot of clarity.

If you have questions about your own plan, feel free to reach out. Happy to help.

08/13/2026

A couple had carefully prepared wills years earlier. After one spouse passed away, the surviving spouse discovered that several bank and investment accounts still listed an old beneficiary from a previous marriage. Those accounts passed outside the will.

It’s a frequent and preventable issue. Beneficiary designations often control certain assets no matter what your will says.

A simple review can catch these mismatches.

If you have questions about your own plan, feel free to reach out. Happy to help.