An executor or personal representative administers an estate. A trustee is responsible for administering a trust. Both parties must manage resources, comply with instructions in the estate planning documents and defer to state law. They must communicate with...
Formal probate proceedings can take months or longer to complete. During that time, family members may need to wait to secure their inheritances. The personal representative overseeing estate administration as part of the formal probate process must continue to manage...
An executor or personal representative managing an estate has many obligations. There are many scenarios in which people who live in Florida select personal representatives who live in another state. This is especially common in scenarios where older, retired adults...
Losing a loved one is hard enough without having to deal with complex legal matters. If your loved one owned property in Florida and other states, you might face something called "ancillary probate" - an extra legal process that can be both time-consuming and...
Going through probate is a complex process. Beneficiaries often face several tax concerns when a loved one passes away during the probate administration process. Understanding these issues can help beneficiaries manage their inheritance more effectively. Inheritance...
When you structure your estate plan, the last thing you want is to leave your loved ones grappling with a complex legal process. Yet, this is precisely what happens if you do not consider the implications of probate. This court-supervised process of settling your...
In today’s digital era, understanding how digital assets get managed during the probate process in Florida is crucial. Digital assets can include everything from online accounts to copyrights and trademarks. What are digital assets? Digital assets encompass a wide...
Fiduciary duty describes the expectations of the individual who is acting in the benefit of another. The acting individual, or fiduciary, has the authority to act on behalf of another person or entity. They have the legal and ethical obligation to act in that party’s...
An executor has a duty to maintain property and other assets to prevent them from suffering damage or destruction before they pass to beneficiaries. If you serve as executor for a deceased family member, you may find this is especially true for the home your loved one...
Navigating estate settlements as a beneficiary requires familiarity with legal rights and the necessary negotiation skills. These are crucial for protecting your interests and reaching a fair resolution. Here are some key points that you should be aware of as a...