Wills, Trusts
& Estates
Plan for what comes next. Protect what you have built, reduce the burdens placed on those you love, and preserve a legacy that reflects a lifetime of intention and care.
Decisions That Outlast Us
Estate planning is the quiet, deliberate work of deciding — while you still can — who will receive what you have built, when they will receive it, and who will speak for you if you cannot. Done well, it spares your family the chaos of the courts, the friction of guesswork, and the loss of a legacy left to chance.
A Plan For Every Possibility
Estate planning is the process of preparing for what will happen to your estate when you die — and just as critically, what happens if you become incapacitated during your lifetime. It encompasses the choice of who will manage and receive your property, how taxes and administrative burdens will be reduced, and who will speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
A thoughtfully constructed plan saves your family time, money, and stress. It puts you — not the courts and not the statutes — in charge of how your assets are distributed, when they reach the people you have chosen, and who holds the authority to act on your behalf in life and after.
- Comprehensive Estate Strategy
- Incapacity & Healthcare Directives
- Tax-Efficient Asset Transfer
- Legacy & Beneficiary Planning
Your Voice, Preserved In Writing
A will is the legal instrument through which you direct what becomes of your possessions after you pass away. It allows you to choose who will inherit your belongings, name a guardian for your minor children, and designate a personal representative to administer your estate.
If you die without a will, Florida's statutes will decide for you — who inherits, in what proportions, and who is appointed to oversee it all. These are deeply personal decisions, and they belong in your hands. Drafting and maintaining a current will is one of the most consequential acts of care you can offer the people you love.
- Last Will & Testament Drafting
- Guardianship for Minor Children
- Personal Representative Designation
- Probate Avoidance Strategies
Control That Lasts A Lifetime
A trust is a legal arrangement that places your assets under the management of a trustee for the benefit of those you choose. Trusts can avoid the cost and publicity of probate, minimize estate taxes, manage assets during your lifetime if you become incapacitated, and shape exactly how — and when — your beneficiaries receive what you have built.
Trusts come in two principal forms. A revocable trust may be amended or revoked at any time during your lifetime, offering flexibility and control. An irrevocable trust, once created, cannot be changed — but in exchange it can deliver powerful asset protection and tax advantages that a revocable structure simply cannot match. We help you choose, draft, and properly fund the structure that fits your life.
- Revocable Living Trusts
- Irrevocable Trusts
- Asset Protection Structures
- Estate Tax Minimization
"An estate plan is the quiet act of caring for the people you love — long after you can no longer be there to do it yourself."
— Joseph M. Dobkin
Frequently Asked Questions
If you die intestate — without a valid will — Florida's statutes of intestate succession determine who inherits your property, typically beginning with your spouse and children and then extending to other relatives. The court will also decide who administers your estate and who serves as guardian of any minor children. Drafting a will keeps these profoundly personal decisions in your hands, not the state's.
A will takes effect only at death and must pass through probate, a public court process. A trust can take effect immediately, manage assets during your lifetime if you become incapacitated, and transfer property to beneficiaries privately and without probate. Most well-built estate plans use both — a trust as the primary vehicle and a will as a safety net.
A revocable trust offers flexibility — you can amend or revoke it during your lifetime — and it is the right tool for most estate plans focused on probate avoidance and incapacity planning. An irrevocable trust cannot be changed once established, but in exchange it offers powerful asset protection and significant tax advantages. The right choice depends entirely on your goals, and we will walk you through both.
We recommend reviewing your plan every three to five years and after any major life event — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, the death of a beneficiary or fiduciary, a substantial change in assets, or relocation to a new state. Estate planning is not a one-time event; it is a living document that should grow with your family.
Yes. Assets properly titled in the name of a revocable trust pass to your beneficiaries outside of probate — saving time, expense, and the loss of privacy that comes with public court proceedings. Probate avoidance is one of the most common reasons our clients choose to fund a living trust.
Florida has no state estate or inheritance tax, and the federal estate tax only applies to estates exceeding the federal exemption — currently several million dollars per person. For larger estates, careful planning with trusts, gifting strategies, and beneficiary designations can dramatically reduce or eliminate that liability.
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Confidential consultations. Direct access. Forty years of representation in service of the people of Miami.
- Marcus Centre
9990 SW 77th Avenue, Penthouse #3
Miami, FL 33156-2661 - 305-661-7000
- Fax 305-598-9088
- 24-Hour Availability • Hablamos Español
Voices of Our Clients
“Mr. Dobkin is in a realm of his own. I have never felt so comfortable and confident trusting another attorney. His attention to detail and dedication blew me away.”
“I've been a client of Mr. Dobkin for close to 18 years. He's been extremely helpful in providing sound advice and counsel for the needs of my family.”
“I first met Joe when he conducted one of my mediations. He was a delight to have as the mediator, providing a voice of reason in conjunction with a demeanor of tranquility.”
“Called the office on a Friday afternoon with urgent questions and not only spoke with Mr. Dobkin himself — his advice worked in my favor down to the last detail.”
“Great service. The level of professionalism, empathy, and experience that Mr. Dobkin exhibited during my case was phenomenal. You've found the perfect attorney.”
“Mr. Dobkin and his staff have great integrity. He'd rather not take a case than waste your time and money — he creates realistic expectations from the onset.”
“Mr. Dobkin was an absolute God-send. His knowledge of the law, court systems, and even the Judge in my case was on point. Exceptional service!”
“Joe Dobkin is an excellent attorney I can recommend without question. A man of integrity, character, and deep concern for his clients.”
“After terrible experiences with several lawyers, I found Mr. Dobkin. A wealth of expertise, caring, commitment, and integrity. Within a short time I got amazing results.”
“Refreshingly down-to-earth. Mr. Dobkin balanced legal theory with practical application — and never once was preachy, condescending, or impatient.”
“One word describes this office: Care. Mr. Dobkin and his legal assistant Patty provide the very best in courtesy, compassion, and understanding.”
“A man with an amazing knowledge of the law and an amazing heart who still believes in core values. He'll always be not only my attorney but my friend.”
“Mr. Dobkin and Patty handled my legal issues with everything that matters most — professionalism, expertise, respect, empathy, and patience.”
“Attorney Dobkin is literally the BEST ATTORNEY in Miami. He goes above and beyond the call of duty. Top-notch.”
“An outstanding lawyer who responded immediately, listened carefully, and made us feel important. Smart advice that was spot on and effective.”
“A 5-star firm offering personalized service. Attorney Dobkin places himself in the individual's position. Highly recommended.”
“This is the 2nd time I've worked with Mr. Dobkin and Patty — and both cases were dismissed! An absolute pleasure to work with.”
“Tenacity and integrity drive the best outcomes for his clients. I have trusted Joseph with my legal needs for years and he always delivers results.”
“The most professional, insightful, trustworthy and kind attorney I've had the pleasure of meeting in Miami. He has gained a loyal client for life.”
“Mr. Dobkin is in a realm of his own. I have never felt so comfortable and confident trusting another attorney. His attention to detail and dedication blew me away.”
“I've been a client of Mr. Dobkin for close to 18 years. He's been extremely helpful in providing sound advice and counsel for the needs of my family.”
“I first met Joe when he conducted one of my mediations. He was a delight to have as the mediator, providing a voice of reason in conjunction with a demeanor of tranquility.”
“Called the office on a Friday afternoon with urgent questions and not only spoke with Mr. Dobkin himself — his advice worked in my favor down to the last detail.”
“Great service. The level of professionalism, empathy, and experience that Mr. Dobkin exhibited during my case was phenomenal. You've found the perfect attorney.”
“Mr. Dobkin and his staff have great integrity. He'd rather not take a case than waste your time and money — he creates realistic expectations from the onset.”
“Mr. Dobkin was an absolute God-send. His knowledge of the law, court systems, and even the Judge in my case was on point. Exceptional service!”
“Joe Dobkin is an excellent attorney I can recommend without question. A man of integrity, character, and deep concern for his clients.”
“After terrible experiences with several lawyers, I found Mr. Dobkin. A wealth of expertise, caring, commitment, and integrity. Within a short time I got amazing results.”
“Refreshingly down-to-earth. Mr. Dobkin balanced legal theory with practical application — and never once was preachy, condescending, or impatient.”
“One word describes this office: Care. Mr. Dobkin and his legal assistant Patty provide the very best in courtesy, compassion, and understanding.”
“A man with an amazing knowledge of the law and an amazing heart who still believes in core values. He'll always be not only my attorney but my friend.”
“Mr. Dobkin and Patty handled my legal issues with everything that matters most — professionalism, expertise, respect, empathy, and patience.”
“Attorney Dobkin is literally the BEST ATTORNEY in Miami. He goes above and beyond the call of duty. Top-notch.”
“An outstanding lawyer who responded immediately, listened carefully, and made us feel important. Smart advice that was spot on and effective.”
“A 5-star firm offering personalized service. Attorney Dobkin places himself in the individual's position. Highly recommended.”
“This is the 2nd time I've worked with Mr. Dobkin and Patty — and both cases were dismissed! An absolute pleasure to work with.”
“Tenacity and integrity drive the best outcomes for his clients. I have trusted Joseph with my legal needs for years and he always delivers results.”
“The most professional, insightful, trustworthy and kind attorney I've had the pleasure of meeting in Miami. He has gained a loyal client for life.”