Category Archives: Wills Probate
Are Surviving Spouses Guaranteed Rights In Florida Probate?
The closing of a life is rarely anticipated. Even when a long illness has set in for one spouse, it is understandable that many couples do not want to spend the little time they have left scouring through legal estate paperwork. The combination of these realities results in many newly widowed individuals unsure of… Read More »
Estate Planning And The Florida Guardianship Process
Proper estate planning is a key way to protect your estate against many things – including a court ordered guardianship. Florida is a state that is popular with retirees. Our population, more than most, does need the provisions in Florida law that allow a family member, or professional guardian, to act as a legal… Read More »
Florida Courts Consider: Is A Child Conceived After Their Father’s Death Entitled To Social Security Benefits?
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently decided to not rule on a question presented to that court: does a child who was conceived after their Father’s death qualify to receive Social Security Surviving Child Insurance Benefits? Instead, the court stated that the Florida Supreme Court was a better venue to issue clarity… Read More »
What Is A Valid Will In Florida, And What Happens If Someone Dies Without One?
There’s an old saying that reflects “only two things in life are certain: death, and taxes.” Fortunately for many governments, and unfortunately for the layman, often family members who are left behind after a loved one passes will be paying taxes on the death as well. Proper estate planning tailored to your specific assets… Read More »
The “101” On Personal Representatives In Florida Probate
If you’ve recently found yourself thrown into the Florida Probate process, or want to educate yourself ahead of such an event, you have come to the right place. Most estates must go through at least some form of probate in Florida, and the court process is often long and complicated. However, there are certain… Read More »
Terminating Trusts In Florida 101
Given the complicated (and often, convoluted) nature of the Florida Probate process, it stands to reason that many individuals choose to create a Trust as part of their estate plan. In earlier posts this blog has already gone through the merits of creating such a trust, and the time and money the estate-planning tool… Read More »
I Have An Out Of State Vacation Home – What Should I Know About Probate When Estate Planning?
For many, it is the highest echelon of the American Dream: not only do you own a home in the state where you live and work, but you have also successfully financed your dream out-of-state property. Whether it’s a house on the beach or a secluded cabin on the chilled lakes of Maine –… Read More »
How To Protect Against “Lost Heirs” In Probate
You have worked your whole life to build up your estate. Regardless of whether your legacy is a vast and sprawling estate or a modest balance in a bank account, you deserve to have the final say in how your estate will be divided and inherited. This may become particularly important to you if… Read More »
How A Revocable Living Trust Can Help You Avoid The Florida Probate Process
The Florida probate laws and processes are notorious for their tendency to cause long, drawn-out, cumbersome estate settlement issues for the heirs/beneficiaries that are left behind. Naturally, this has stirred up interest in what estate planning options or strategies exist to lessen the burden of the probate process (or, hopefully, to exclude as many… Read More »
Summary Administration: A Florida Shortcut To Regular Probate
Probate: a long, drawn out, largely public ordeal that many estates must trod through to some extent in Florida. However, Florida offers an alternative route – a “shortcut” to the formal probate administrative process, if you will – in certain circumstances. Pursuing the simplified probate process may make it easier, less time consuming and… Read More »