The contents of your will, from creditors you owe to chosen beneficiaries, are deeply personal matters. You realize the importance of maintaining their confidentiality until your executor needs to step in. However, this privacy is short-lived. Once you pass, the...
When making plans concerning your estate, you could already have someone in mind as the personal representative. This person conducts tasks on your behalf, affecting the estate you left behind after death. This role has an extensive list of duties, including...
Probate administration, the legal process of settling an individual's estate after their passing, often carries a veil of mystery and misunderstanding. Dispelling some prevalent myths surrounding probate administration can help you feel more in control during this...
In Florida, estates can either go through formal or summary probate administration. This might be confusing to some who only understand probate as a general concept. The following basic guide to the two processes can help you understand their difference better....
Planning your estate plan takes careful thought and consideration. One of the biggest choices you make is regarding who will be the executor of your estate. The executor's primary duty is to carry out the wishes outlined in your will, including settling debts,...
When someone names you his or her personal representative in Florida, it becomes important that you familiarize yourself with the probate process and everything it entails. While not every Florida estate has to go through probate, many do. Knowing what the process...
When a parent leaves an asset that is not physically divisible to multiple heirs, such as the family home, disputes can arise when the heirs do not all agree on what to do with the asset. The Florida Probate Code governs the options that heirs have. What happens if...
Nearly all jurisdictions have a probate system in which someone is responsible for administering an estate. In Florida, this position is the personal representative. Personal representatives can be natural people, corporations and trusts. Being a personal...
If you have a child with a disability, you may create a special needs trust to provide support after your death. As reported by CNBC, trusts may include money or property used to support a special need while also protecting its beneficiary's income. By naming the...
During probate, the court appoints an executor to handle administrative duties, including paying debts, distributing assets and closing the estate. The probate process can be difficult to navigate, especially if your loved one owned real estate in multiple states. In...