FL Wills, Trusts & Estates Specialist study plan

Map the Florida Statutes chapters governing wills and estate planning (intestate succession, wills, and estate administration) into a one-page outline of testable rules

Draft a comparison table distinguishing intestate shares for a surviving spouse with and without lineal descendants, and for unmarried decedents

Explain in writing the formalities for a valid Florida will, including witnesses, self-proof, and the effect of divorce or marriage after execution

List the grounds and procedure for will contest, including revocation by subsequent instrument or physical act

Analyze elective share, family allowance, homestead, and pretermitted heir protections and how each limits testamentary freedom

Draft sample will clauses covering residuary disposition, contingent trusts for minors, and simultaneous death

Differentiate revocable and irrevocable instruments, powers of appointment, and nonprobate transfers

Identify planning failures that trigger litigation and propose drafting fixes for each

Classify trusts by purpose, revocability, and beneficiary interest, and match each to its governing statutory and common-law rules

Explain the elements of a valid trust: settlor capacity, intent, res, ascertainable beneficiaries, and lawful purpose

Distinguish trustee powers and duties, including loyalty, prudent administration, impartiality, and duty to inform

Outline the mechanics of trust modification and termination, including consent, decanting, and nonjudicial settlement

Compute distributable net income and trust accounting income for a sample simple trust and a sample complex trust

Apply the grantor trust rules to identify when a settlor is taxed on trust income

Draft a trustee accounting summary that reconciles receipts, disbursements, and beneficiary distributions

Explain the fiduciary income tax filing obligations and estimated payment duties of a trustee

Sequence the steps of Florida probate administration from petition through discharge, noting deadlines for each

Distinguish formal administration, summary administration, and disposition without administration by eligibility and use case

Draft the core pleadings: petition for administration, letters of administration, and notice to creditors

Explain the claims process, including claim periods, objections, and priority of payment

Prepare a draft inventory and accounting for a hypothetical estate, classifying assets as probate or nonprobate

Compute the Florida estate tax apportionment result for a sample estate given the state credit framework and federal interplay

Explain fiduciary duties in marshaling assets, dealing with jointly held property, and handling homestead in the estate

Identify ethical issues in estate administration, including conflicts, confidentiality, and fees

Calculate federal estate tax for a sample estate, applying the applicable exclusion, marital deduction, and charitable deduction

Explain portability election mechanics and the consequences of missing the election

Analyze gift tax annual exclusion and lifetime exemption use, and the basis rules for inherited and gifted property

Integrate income tax planning for beneficiaries, including retirement account and step-up in basis considerations

Synthesize all four domains into an integrated planning memo for a blended-family client with a business interest and out-of-state property

Complete timed practice sets across all domains and log every missed rule with its correct statement

Re-drill weak areas identified in the error log until each is answered correctly twice

Build a one-page rapid-review sheet of the highest-frequency rules and deadlines