Often when married couples have their estate documents prepared, they will provide for each other. A husband’s Last Will and Testament (“Will”) may leave everything to his wife and vice versa. This sort of inheritance seems natural. But what happens if the couple had...
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Probate
The Basics of Objecting to a Creditor Claim in Florida Probate
When a person dies resident in Florida and a probate is opened, one of the first steps taken by the court-appointed Personal Representative is to publish a “Notice to Creditors” in a local newspaper. In addition to publication, the Notice to Creditors is served by...
Petition for Administration: Should you Consent or Object?
A loved one has passed away and after a few weeks you receive a package from a probate attorney's office. Inside the package are several official looking documents along with a cover letter asking that you sign and return a Consent to the enclosed Petition for...
A Surviving Spouse’s Decision on Homestead
Tom and Cathy (an imaginary couple) are married and have no children together. Tom has two adult children from a prior marriage; Cathy has no children. The couple reside in a Florida home which Tom owned before they got married. As a result, title to the home is only...
Summary Administration in Florida
In Florida, there are two types of probate administration: formal and summary. Both accomplish essentially the same objective of allowing the distribution of a decedent's assets. However, there are some significant differences between these two types of probate. This...
Florida’s Spousal Elective Share and Life Insurance
Under Florida law, a spouse has the right to receive 30% of certain of his or her deceased spouse's assets. This is true notwithstanding whether the deceased spouse has excluded his or her spouse under his or her Last Will and Testament or Trust. So if the deceased...
In Florida probate, when is homestead property not given homestead protection?
Article X, Section 4 of the Constitution of Florida provides protection against the claims of creditors for a person's homestead, i.e. their principal residence. In essence, if a homeowner owes money to a creditor, that creditor cannot attach or force sale of the...
Why Probate is Needed to Pursue a Florida Wrongful Death Claim
In Florida, when the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty of any person, certain of the deceased's survivors and the deceased's estate may be entitled to recover damages. Those damages, and who are...
Does my Will control who receives my life insurance benefits at my death?
Clients sometimes ask this question--often because they are confused about the relationship between their Will and their life insurance policy. After all, doesn't the Will designate a person's beneficiaries? This blog will clarify the relationship between the Will and...
Medicaid Claim Against A Deceased Person’s Estate
A common question which we encounter in our Florida estate and probate practice is whether a person's estate will owe any money to Medicaid upon the person's death. Usually the reason for their question is that the person has received Medicaid benefits prior to their...
