Clearwater Estate Planning Lawyer

Smart, Compassionate Estate Planning for Every Stage of Life

Estate planning begins with a simple idea. You want to make sure the people and causes that matter most are provided for and protected. Yet the moment you start thinking through the details, questions surface. Who will take care of your affairs if you cannot? How do Florida courts handle property transfers? Is a trust appropriate for Clearwater real estate or business interests?

At Preservation Law Firm, help clients move beyond the idea of planning and into a structured process. Attorney Adam Rauman approaches these conversations with the care of someone who has spent decades helping people shape and preserve their financial futures. His background includes 15 years as a licensed financial advisor before earning his law degree. Today, he works directly with clients across Clearwater to help ensure that their intentions are clearly documented and legally enforceable.

Take the first step toward protecting your family and future. Call (727) 955-3872 or schedule a free consultation online to discuss your estate planning goals today.

Why Work with Attorney Adam Rauman

Attorney Rauman built his practice on a simple conviction: families deserve plans that hold up when it matters most. Before becoming an attorney, he spent years in financial services, helping clients build their legacies. Seeing those plans fall apart without proper legal protection inspired him to pursue law and focus on estate planning. Today, he brings that same sense of purpose to every client, combining financial insight with genuine care for the people behind each plan.

When you work with Attorney Rauman, you can expect:

• Personal guidance from beginning to end. You work directly with him at every stage of the process.
• Straightforward explanations. He breaks down complex issues into clear, manageable steps.
• Plans that reflect your values. Every document is tailored to your family, your goals, and the future you want to protect.
• Ongoing perspective. He helps ensure your plan remains effective as your life, business, or family circumstances evolve.
• Empathy and professionalism. Sensitive topics are handled with patience and respect, making planning feel less overwhelming.

Estate Planning Services Tailored for Families & Property Owners

Many people in Clearwater share similar challenges when it comes to planning for the future. You might own a waterfront home, a small business, or a vacation property. You may be retired, with family living in other states, or part of a blended household where inheritance decisions require sensitivity and clarity. 

We’ve helped families facing these same circumstances and have seen how thoughtful planning can bring order and peace of mind. We understand how those details shape your plan, and we build each one with your circumstances in mind.

Our work often begins with these cornerstone documents:

• Last Will and Testament
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Living Will and medical directives
• Revocable living trusts and related trust planning

We guide clients through each step, including:

• Choosing fiduciaries and successors
• Deciding how assets and responsibilities pass
• Titling and retitling property when needed
• Aligning beneficiary designations with legal documents
• Preparing signing and witnessing requirements under Florida law

Our aim is to bring clarity and comfort. Once your plan is in place, you’ll know exactly how it works, who can act on your behalf, and how your choices will be honored.

Estate Planning with Locals in Mind

Laws are statewide, but the lived details of planning in Clearwater are local. More importantly, Florida has rules that differ from many northern states, particularly for residents who have relocated to Pinellas County later in life.

Common considerations for Clearwater clients include:

• Homestead protection under Florida law. Primary residences receive strong asset protections and tax advantages. Planning must respect and preserve those rights.
• Pinellas County probate practices. If an estate enters probate, the Pinellas County Probate Court will oversee the process. Understanding procedure and expected timelines helps families stay grounded.
• Multiple-state ties. Many Clearwater residents have property or heirs in other states. Coordination is crucial to avoid unintended probate in multiple jurisdictions.
• Real estate near the Gulf. Waterfront and condo properties often come with association bylaws and insurance realities that must be reflected in estate documents.
• Seasonal residents. Clients who split time between Florida and another state benefit from guidance on domicile, titling, and medical authority readiness.

These local factors can affect whether a trust is appropriate, how a homestead is transferred, what happens if medical decisions are needed quickly, and how personal representatives carry out their duties. Understanding these details is often the first step toward avoiding unnecessary probate.

Watch: Attorney Adam Rauman on Avoiding Probate

In this radio feature, Attorney Rauman explains how thoughtful planning can help families reduce the need for probate and keep their affairs private:

Preparing Loved Ones & Planning for Incapacity

Estate planning is not only about the future. It is also about preparing for moments when life changes unexpectedly. Illness, injury, or age can make it difficult to manage daily tasks or financial decisions. A plan that anticipates these possibilities protects both you and the people who care about you.

At Preservation Law Firm, we help clients put clear, legally sound instructions in place so that loved ones can act with confidence when needed. Our work often includes:

• Durable powers of attorney that allow trusted individuals to handle financial matters
• Health care proxies and Living Wills that guide medical choices
• Personal instructions that explain wishes and priorities beyond the legal language
• Plans for secure access to digital records and important accounts

In Clearwater, families are often spread across states or live part-time in different places. When distance is a factor, communication becomes even more important. We take the time to document every detail, identify who will step in, and ensure those people understand how to carry out your wishes.

Keeping Your Plan Current & Functional

A strong estate plan adapts to change. Property values shift, grandchildren arrive, businesses evolve, and family structures grow. We encourage periodic reviews because documents can become outdated without anyone noticing.

Clients often revisit their plans when:

• They purchase or sell Clearwater real estate
• A marriage, divorce, or birth occurs
• A business interest changes hands
• They relocate into or out of Florida
• Their investment or retirement picture shifts

Reviewing your plan is not about rewriting everything. It is about confirming that the legal and financial pieces still fit together. Preservation Law Firm acts as a long-term resource, not a one-time document shop. We remain available as your needs evolve.

Reach Out Today

A careful estate plan brings peace of mind. It also gives your family clarity, direction, and support during moments when they need it most. If you live in Clearwater and are ready to begin planning, we are ready to help.

Schedule your free consultation to discuss your goals and learn how a thoughtful, well-structured plan can protect what matters to you.