Handling the final affairs of a loved one is already a difficult journey, but it gets even more complicated when they own property in another state. If your family member lived outside of Florida but owned property here, their local home-state court does not have the...
Complex Legal Challenges
Probate
Private Beneficiary Agreements
When a Last Will and Testament devises a person’s assets in a certain way, can the Personal Representative and beneficiaries follow a different distribution plan? In simple terms, the Personal Representative must distribute the estate assets as provided in the Will or...
What is probate in Florida?
In Florida, probate is the court administered process through which a deceased person’s Estate is administered. In layman’s terms, probate is one of the means through which a person’s final affairs are resolved after his or her death. In probate, various matters are...
Did a loved one alter a will during their cognitive decline?
Watching a loved one decline as they age can be very challenging. The changes in their personality, their inability to live independently and their confusion can all be profoundly painful to witness. In some cases, families may continue to feel the effects of a loved...
Are you going to inherit debt from your parents?
You believe that you’re going to inherit assets from your parents when they pass away. Maybe they have tangible assets that they’ve left you in their estate plan, such as family heirlooms or home furnishings. Maybe they’re going to leave you real estate, like the...
Unforeseen hurdles in probate: Be prepared for the unexpected
The legal process of settling a deceased person's estate, or probate as commonly known, can be fraught with unforeseen challenges that can catch families off guard. What may seem like a straightforward procedure for your loved ones can quickly become complex, legally...
What does the probate process typically involve in the Tampa area?
Probate court has a somewhat negative reputation, in no small part because people associate court proceedings with red tape and delays. Particularly in situations where family members disagree about the validity of an estate plan or the distribution of assets after...
Will your out-of-state assets be subject to ancillary probate?
A lot of people who have made Florida their full-time residence as they near or enter retirement still have property in other states. If you own assets in another state, those will need to be addressed in your estate plan. They may also need to be dealt with via a...
What is probate litigation?
Probate is the court proceeding that takes place to administer the estate of a deceased person. It can happen with or without a will. If there is a will, someone must file that document with the court. The probate process is administrating the estate of the person who...
3 ways people keep their assets out of Florida probate court
Estate planning is as much about maximizing what people receive as it is about controlling who receives which assets. One of the ways that people lose property that they would like to pass to their loved ones or possibly charitable organizations is through probate...