If you want to protect your Florida home and avoid probate, a lady bird deed might fit your needs. Available only in Florida and four other states, lady bird deeds are a valuable estate planning tool. What is a lady bird deed? Lady bird deeds is another name for...
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Probate
Ancillary probate: What makes it different from regular probate?
When you encounter a death within the family, handling their estate can cause much stress, especially if they own properties in different states. In this case, you would need to deal with two probate processes: regular and ancillary. Knowing the difference between...
5 estate planning strategies to reduce probate expenses in Florida
Are you worried about the costs of probate eating into your loved ones' inheritance? You are not alone. Many Floridians are seeking ways to minimize probate expenses. Here are five essential strategies to help you save money and streamline the process. Create a living...
Prepare yourself for creditor claims in probate
Dealing with the passing of someone you love can overwhelm you and stress you out, especially when you need to manage their estate as well. Amidst the grief, creditor claims against the estate may confront you. As an executor or personal representative, you need to...
How can executors manage charitable gifts in probate?
Grief from losing a loved one is overwhelming, and the added task of settling their estate can further complicate an already difficult period. In Stuart, where community spirit often translates into charitable giving, several executors handle philanthropic gifts...
How much will probate cost you in Florida?
Probate fees vary depending on the estate’s value or size. The type of assets included may also affect the overall costs. The Florida probate process can cost a few hundred dollars for modest estates or those worth under $75,000. If you are leaving behind a sizeable...
How joint ownership can help avoid probate in Florida
Probate can be a lengthy and costly process, but there are strategies that can help you avoid this. Joint ownership can be a simple and effective way to transfer specific assets outside of probate. But how does it work? Bypass probate with ease: Joint tenancy with...
How Florida’s homestead exemption affects probate proceedings
If you own property in Florida, understanding how the homestead exemption influences probate proceedings is key. This law offers significant protections and benefits to homeowners, but it also impacts how your loved ones handle your property after you pass away....
Navigating Florida’s probate court: What to expect
When a loved one passes away, dealing with their estate can be challenging. In Florida, probate is the legal process of distributing a deceased person's assets. The probate court oversees the process, and it can be formal or informal, depending on the complexity of...
What is the role of a personal representative in Florida probate?
In Florida, the personal representative (also called an executor in other states) has the very important job of managing a deceased person’s estate through probate. This person, named in the deceased’s will or by the court if there is no will, has responsibilities to...