Category Archives: Probate Administration
What Happens To Debts When You Die? How The Sarasota County Probate Court Handles Creditors
Debts do not disappear when someone dies. Before a single dollar reaches beneficiaries, the estate must settle its debts, and Florida law dictates exactly who gets paid first. For personal representatives, following payment guidelines is a top priority. Our experienced Sarasota probate litigation lawyer explains how the Sarasota County Probate Court handles debts and… Read More »
Pinellas County Probate Disputes: A Guide For Sarasota Families
The death of a loved one is always difficult. Legal battles make a bad situation worse. Unfortunately, Pinellas County probate disputes are common, and the stakes are often high. Money, property, and long-standing family relationships can all hang in the balance. Our experienced Sarasota probate litigation lawyer provides the trusted guidance needed in these… Read More »
What Happens To Real Estate During Probate In Bradenton?
When a loved one passes away, their home or other real estate is often among their most valuable and complex assets. If you are responsible for handling an estate in Bradenton, you may be wondering what happens to that property, how long it takes to transfer, and whether it can be sold during probate…. Read More »
How Trust Structures Create Probate Conflict: And How to Stop it
Settling a Florida estate often involves resolving terms of both trusts, as well as the last will and testament. However, not every estate plan is created equal: and not all trusts operate the same way. Trust disputes all too frequently arise in the midst of probate. Disputes, such as whether a trust was revocable… Read More »
The Pros (and Cons) of Probate
Florida’s probate process, like any other complex framework, has its pros and cons. It can be a necessary and helpful process, but many find it a drawn-out legal nightmare. Probate law was established to serve both the government and the intended heirs of an estate. It is important to understand both what probate is,… Read More »
How to Close a Florida Probate Estate
As a personal representative tasked with administering a Florida estate, you’ve already been on quite the journey – gathering assets, paying creditors, and handling the myriad duties that come along with estate administration. Now, you’ve arrived at the final stage of your journey: officially closing out the probate estate. This last phase of estate… Read More »
I’m Being Sued Over My Inheritance: What Do I Do? Part II
Probate is intricate, and can be quite a challenge to navigate through. Fortunately, the experienced legal team at Suncoast Civil Law can help. In part one of this series, we began the discussion concerning the drama that can ensue if someone challenges a will, or otherwise tries to challenge your right to your inheritance…. Read More »
Gifting in Life vs. After Death
In Florida the estate tax, commonly referred to as the “death tax,” will only affect the estates with a taxable value that exceeds the federal estate tax threshold. In 2024 the federal estate tax threshold sits at $13.61 million for individuals. This means that married couples will only have to worry about estate taxes… Read More »
I’m Being Sued Over My Inheritance: What Do I Do?
Probate, and all of the steps in the journey of moving a decedent’s estate through the probate process, can be a challenging experience. Even a life changing one. Not only might you inherit (or lose access to) a great amount of property or other sentimental items – your relationships with your remaining family may… Read More »
Types of Florida Probate
Nobody said that the Florida probate process is easy or straightforward. Something that complicates an already nuanced situation, is you might have down solid how one type of Florida probate works. And then, to your dismay, you discover – Florida recognizes separate forms of probate. And these processes are different. Gaining the expertise and… Read More »