How much does a revocable living trust cost in Florida?

A complete trust-based plan — the trust itself, a pour-over will, durable power of attorney, and health care directives — typically runs more than a simple will because there's more drafting involved and assets need to be formally retitled. Most families find that cost is offset by what a $500,000+ estate would otherwise pay in probate fees and delays.

Does a revocable trust protect my assets from creditors or lawsuits?

No. Because you keep full control over a revocable trust during your lifetime — you can amend it, revoke it, or take assets back out — the law treats those assets as still belonging to you. Creditors and judgment holders can generally still reach them. Asset protection requires different planning tools.

What happens if I never fund my trust?

An unfunded trust avoids nothing. If real estate, bank accounts, and investment accounts are never retitled into the trust's name, those assets are still individually owned by you when you die — which means they still have to go through probate, trust or no trust. Funding is not an optional last step; it's what makes the trust work.

Can I be the trustee of my own revocable trust?

Yes. Most people name themselves as the initial trustee, which means day-to-day life doesn't change — you keep managing your own accounts and property. You also name a successor trustee who steps in automatically if you become incapacitated or when you die, without a court proceeding.

How long does it take to set up and fund a trust in Florida?

Drafting the trust documents themselves is usually the fast part. Funding — deeding real estate into the trust, retitling bank and investment accounts, updating beneficiary designations where appropriate — takes longer and is easy to leave half-finished, which is why it's worth confirming every asset has actually been moved before considering the plan complete.

Domestic Violence Injunctions in Florida: What to Expect

If you're in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) is available 24/7 for confidential support and safety planning, whether or not you decide to pursue a court order.

What an Injunction Actually Does

A domestic violence injunction — sometimes called a restraining order — is a civil court order that can require the respondent to stay away from you, your home, your workplace, and your children's school, surrender firearms, and stop all contact. It's separate from any criminal charges that may or may not be filed; you don't need a police report or an arrest to petition for one, though evidence like texts, photos, or witness statements helps.

Who Can Petition

Florida recognizes several categories: domestic violence (between family or household members, including former spouses and people who share a child), dating violence, sexual violence, repeat violence, and stalking. Each has its own legal definition and eligibility requirements under Florida Statute § 741.30 and related sections.

The Two-Step Process

Most cases move through two stages:

Temporary injunction. After you file the petition, a judge reviews it — often the same day — without the other party present. If the judge finds an immediate danger, a temporary injunction takes effect right away and typically lasts up to 15 days.
Final hearing. Both sides appear, present evidence, and the judge decides whether to grant a final injunction, which can last a set term, indefinitely, or be denied. This is the hearing where having represented yourself well — or having an attorney — tends to matter most.

How It Affects Custody and Divorce

An injunction filed during or before a divorce or custody case doesn't just sit in isolation — Florida family courts are required to consider evidence of domestic violence when deciding timesharing and parental responsibility. A final injunction can shape supervised visitation, communication restrictions, and how parenting decisions get made going forward.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

You're not required to have one — the forms and process are designed to be usable without an attorney. That said, the final hearing is an adversarial proceeding with real evidentiary rules, and what you say (or don't say) becomes part of the record in any related family law case. Many people bring an attorney specifically for the final hearing even if they filed the petition themselves.

If You've Been Served with a Petition

Being served doesn't mean you're guilty of anything — it means a judge found enough in the petition to warrant a hearing. Read the temporary injunction carefully; violating it, even unintentionally, is a separate criminal offense. Get to the final hearing prepared, ideally with an attorney, since a final injunction can affect custody, gun rights, and employment.