Probate

The Florida probate process can be relatively complex. It imposes a variety of obligations on personal representatives, including a responsibility to satisfy the financial obligations of the deceased individual. Creditors should receive notification of pending probate...

Many retired individuals have seasonal homes in Florida. They spend much of the year in a northern location with their families, but they spend the coldest months of the year at a property in Florida.  When people die, their surviving family members typically initiate...

Too many people don’t think it’s necessary to create an estate plan – even just a will. They just assume that their assets will go directly to their closest family members, like their spouse and children. While this is generally true, it’s important to know that state...

When a person dies, their estate will likely go through the probate process. In Florida, this is required if assets are held in the person’s name without having beneficiary designations. It’s possible that some property may be handed down to beneficiaries without...

A personal representative or executor manages an estate. They must communicate with the probate courts about the status of the estate. If there is an estate plan, the personal representative must follow the deceased party's instructions. If there is no estate plan,...

When a Florida probate judge asks you to post a bond, it can feel like a personal slight. You stepped up during a difficult time to manage a loved one’s final wishes, only to find out you need an insurance policy to prove you will not mishandle the estate. It is...

When a person passes away, they might own property in more than one state. If this happens, their family often has to handle two separate court cases. If the person lived outside Florida but owned a condo, vacation home or land there, Florida law requires a special...

The probate process imposes many responsibilities on executors and personal representatives. They must secure and catalog estate resources. They must follow instructions included in the estate plan and conform to state statutes. They also have to fulfill the financial...

When someone dies, their family must handle their money and property through a legal process called probate. In Florida, this process can take months or even longer without a solid plan. Taking simple steps now can make things much easier for your loved ones later....

Here in Florida, the homestead exemption is an important distinction that protects a decedent’s primary residence from claims against their estate. While this is a good thing, it does add a layer of complexity to the probate process. Let’s dive in and learn more about...