Probate

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...

If you accepted the responsibility of being someone’s named personal representative, it is important to try and carry out the job effectively and efficiently. One thing that could make this much harder is having a beneficiary file a legal challenge against you over...

Estate administration requires months of commitment. Executives or personal representatives have to manage, sell or distribute estate resources. They carry out the testator's last wishes as outlined in an estate plan. Other times, they must defer to intestate...

People sometimes think that a will reading is a necessary part of the probate process. At the beginning of probate, heirs and beneficiaries sit down in a room with the deceased’s lawyer, who reads the will to them and informs them of what they should expect as an...

When a loved one passes away, there are many arrangements that have to be made. There are also tasks that must be completed. One of these tasks might be going through the probate process.  Probate in Florida can be overwhelming, both emotionally and financially. In...