Copy of I Got Scammed - November Issue Plantation Times

I Got Scammed

At 78 years old, Christine Hunt created an estate plan and breathed a sigh of relief. Her modest home was paid off and her total estate was valued at just over $210,000. While she had 4 children, her granddaughter was the one who moved close by to check on her every day, and she wanted to make sure that her granddaughter was taken care of in the trust, even though no other grandchildren were named. She also knew that her children would not be happy about naming her granddaughter the Executor of the trust. She carefully hid her estate plan in her desk drawer in the office and forgot about it. 

  Preserving her assets in a trust estate plan to protect her family from probate court after her death gave Christine a sense of security. However, by Christine’s 83^rd birthday, she discovered that her sense of security was short–lived. Her 61-year-old daughter, Jeni, traveled far to visit her mom over the holidays and discovered the estate plan. Not only was she surprised to discover there was an estate plan, Jeri was also incensed to learn that her mother appointed a granddaughter, not one of her own children, to administer her trust estate upon her death. 

Jeni felt slighted by her mother’s decision, which was only further compounded by certain gift designations her mother had made to loved ones of items Jeni had hoped to receive herself. At the conclusion of their visit and after Jeni returned home, Christine discovered that her estate planning documents were now missing – all of them! She knew she had filed them in her desk in her home office, which doubled as the guest room where Jeni stayed, and now the documents were nowhere to be found. 

Christine was disheartened to think that her daughter would abscond with those vital documents simply because she was unhappy with some of her mother’s choices ~ Jeni was not an only child after all. Disappointed but unwilling to confront her daughter, she called the office of her estate planner to request replacement documents, only to be informed that her estate planner had retired a few years back and there was no record of her prior estate work. At 83 years old, Christine paid a significant amount of money to restate and recreate her trust estate plan completely. 

Most people are surprised to learn that Law Offices do not necessarily keep copies of important legal documents. When a lawyer or law firm goes out of business, retires, or passes away, they usually do not keep or maintain client files indefinitely, including estate plans (like wills, trusts, or powers of attorney). If that happens, copies of estate plans are often gone unless the client kept one. Best practice for clients: Always keep your own original and digital copies of your estate planning documents — lawyers are not obligated to store them forever.

The best way to keep a register and keep a digital copy of your Estate Planning and other important documents is through an online service like TRUST SAFE.

However, losing your estate planning documents is just one concern when it comes to estate planning documents. There are several scams/frauds you need to be aware of.

1. “Trust mill” or “Living Trust Kit” scams

How it works:

 Scammers (often non-lawyers) advertise “free estate planning seminars” or mail you offers for a low-cost living trust — usually $399–$599. They claim you’ll avoid probate and taxes, but what they really want is your personal and financial info to sell investments or insurance.

Red flags:

• Promises of a “one-size-fits-all” trust valid in all states

• Pressure to act quickly or “lock in a discount”

Real estate plans are personalized — not generic templates.

2. Fake online document services

How it works: 

Websites advertise “legal wills” or “trust packages” for cheap, but they use outdated or invalid forms that don’t meet Florida’s signing and witnessing rules. Some even steal your identity or charge hidden subscription fees.

Red flags:

• Offers a “complete estate plan” for under $100 or a price that is too good to be true.

Protect yourself:

 Florida law has strict will-signing requirements — two witnesses + notary. Online templates often miss these.

3. Deed or property transfer scams

How it works:

 You’re told to transfer your home into a “trust” or “company” for protection — but you’re tricked into signing away ownership.

Protect Yourself:

-Never sign property documents without an independent attorney review.-You can check your property’s deed anytime at your County Clerk’s Office.

4. Imposter or “Bar Association” calls

How it works: 

You get a call, email, or letter saying a “law firm” or “Bar Association” needs to verify your will or collect a “document storage fee.” It’s a phishing attempt to steal your info or payment.

Protect yourself:

- The Florida Bar does not contact clients about wills or estate plans.- Hang up, and verify directly with your own attorney.

5. “Government benefit” or “Medicaid planning” scams

How it works:

 Unlicensed people claim they can “qualify you for Medicaid” or “protect assets from nursing homes” for a big fee — often $2,000–$5,000 — using fake trusts or transfers that actually disqualify you from benefits.

Protect yourself:

-Only Florida-licensed elder law attorneys can legally handle Medicaid and estate planning together.-Verify credentials at www.floridabar.org

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Quick Safety Checklist

Before working with anyone on estate planning:

• Ask for a written fee agreement.

• Never sign blank forms or deeds.

• Avoid high-pressure sales tactics.

• Get a second opinion if something feels off.