Losing your loved ones is a deeply emotional experience. In the midst of grief, dealing with legal matters like probate administration can feel overwhelming. Probate, the legal process of distributing a deceased person's assets, isn’t always a straightforward process....
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What happens if you inherit property with a sibling?
Parents usually try to be as fair as possible to their children, even once those children become adults. It isn’t unusual for them to leave their homes to their adult children in equal shares. For parents, this can be a great plan. For the siblings that inherit, this...
What is ancillary probate?
Are you a confirmed “snowbird” who flies south to Florida every year? Do you have property in more than one state? If so, you may need to prepare your executor, heirs and beneficiaries for the ancillary probate process. You can only have one home state Even if you...
More than high-value assets can cause estate disputes
When many people are creating their estate plans, they are conscious of high-value assets. They know that these can cause estate disputes because they are so valuable. The heirs and beneficiaries may expect these assets to be divided evenly, and a dispute could start...
4 things that can delay probate
When a will goes to probate, it can take a long time before the distribution of assets starts. The probate process in Florida involves filing forms and documents with the court, and at times, this can be time-consuming. Unfortunately, other factors may make the...
How long does probate take in Florida?
Probate is the court-controlled process of validating a will and administering the testator’s estate before apportioning each heir their portion. Usually, the beneficiaries must wait until the entire probate process concludes to get legal ownership of their...
What does it mean to be an executor?
When a loved one dies, someone has to take on the responsibility of handling their estate. This role is known as the executor. It can be daunting, but it's important to understand what it means to be an executor and your responsibilities. The attributes of a good...
What executors need to know if they’re tasked with selling a home
People often discover as they’re discussing their estate plan with loved ones that no one wants to inherit their home. Therefore, they often designate that the home be sold and the proceeds returned to their estate for distribution to their beneficiaries. If you’re...
Are there any exceptions to probate?
When someone dies, you might think that the hardest part (besides grieving) is organizing any funerary or memorial events. While the ceremonial aspects of honoring a death can take their mental, emotional and financial toll, we often donʻt realize the next set of...
Important points regarding Florida estate administration
Florida law sets up two methods for estate administration – summary and formal. The circumstances of the estate determine which of these are possible. Typically, people who are handling the estate administration process for a loved one who passed away will want to get...