From Snowbird to Florida Resident: An Estate Planner’s Guide to Establishing Domicile in the Sunshine State
Florida has long been a go-to destination for retirees and snowbirds, thanks to its sunny weather and beautiful beaches. In recent years, however, Florida has become much more than a seasonal escape. Florida has recently seen a mass migration of individuals and families from high-tax states like New York, California, and Illinois making permanent moves to the Sunshine State. Remote work has made it easier than ever to relocate, and many are choosing Florida not just for lifestyle, but for financial peace of mind.
As other states continue to propose tax hikes to address budget shortfalls, Florida’s consistent tax advantages, including no state income tax and no estate or inheritance tax, make it an increasingly attractive place to call home. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Florida is among the top states for population growth, and it’s easy to see why.
But simply buying a home or spending winters here is not enough to deem you a Florida resident. To fully benefit from Florida’s tax and legal advantages, you need to establish Florida domicile — your legal home base. Without taking the proper steps, your former state may still consider you a resident, which can lead to unexpected tax obligations and estate planning complications.
Here are key steps to help establish Florida domicile:
- 📝 File a Declaration of Domicile with the Clerk of Court in your county (this becomes public record).
- 🗳️ Register to vote in Florida and vote in person when possible.
- 🚗 Register your vehicles — cars, boats, planes — in Florida.
- 🪪 Get a Florida driver’s license and surrender your previous one.
- 🏡 Apply for the Florida homestead exemption on your primary residence.
- 📬 Update your mailing address with banks, insurance providers, professional organizations, and government agencies.
- 📄 File final resident tax returns in your former state, if applicable.
- ☀️ Spend the majority of your time in Florida to reinforce your new residency.
Last but certainly not least, don’t forget your estate plan. Florida has unique laws, especially around homestead property, that can impact how your assets are handled at your death. If you have documents in place from your former state, a Florida attorney should review your will, power of attorney, healthcare surrogate, and living will to ensure they’re valid and aligned with your new residency. If you don’t yet have an estate plan, it’s a smart move to consult a Florida attorney to prepare one. Not only will this help protect your wishes, it can also serve as additional evidence of your Florida domicile.
So while you’re packing your sunglasses and saying goodbye to snow shovels, make sure you’ve also planned for your legal transition. Establishing domicile and updating your estate plan will help protect your financial future and ensure a smooth move to the Sunshine State.
If you have questions about change of domicile planning, we’re here to help.