When you agreed to serve Aunt Polly as the executor of her estate, she was in good health, so becoming her personal representative seemed years away. Unfortunately, Aunt Polly died much sooner than expected. Here are five tips to help you administer her estate...
Probate
What are reasons people may contest a trust?
Some people bypass probate by creating a trust to hold assets until beneficiaries can receive them. However, this does not mean someone cannot go to court to contest the terms of a trust. Sometimes a family must deal with a legal battle over who gets money or property...
4 ways to ensure probate goes smoothly
After you die, the probate courts determine how to divide your estate. The process is extensive, which can delay the distribution of your assets to your beneficiaries or increase emotional turmoil amongst the family. Luckily, there are several things you can do to...
Probate and exempt property
If your loved one recently passed away, you could have several questions and concerns related to the probate process. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with key terms, such as exempt property. During probate, courts oversee the distribution of the assets that...
Do all assets go through probate?
Probate allows the court to oversee the distribution of your assets and ensure the legality of the process. It allows your relatives to protect your assets as well if there are concerns about someone influencing your estate plan. For most people, probate is not a long...
Understanding the probate process
When someone dies and leaves a will, probate is the legal process for transferring asset ownership and settling the estate. Depending on the size and complexity of the estate, the probate process can take months or even years. Although a judge oversees the process,...
What happens if the deceased does not have a will in Florida?
Probate is the handling and distribution of a deceased individual's estate. Tasks in this process also include paying taxes and carrying out any specified instructions in the will. According to Forbes, close to half of the U.S.'s over 55 population has yet to get...
How choosing the right estate executor can simplify probate
There are a myriad of decisions to make when creating a comprehensive estate plan in Florida. In addition to choosing guardians and beneficiaries, it is critical to select the right administrator to oversee matters of your estate once you pass. If you do not name an...
Understanding ancillary probate
You may never have heard of ancillary probate and have no idea what it means. However, if you are the administrator of an estate of a person who owned property in Florida, ancillary probate is a topic you may have to deal with. Therefore, you should understand what it...
How to make a contested probate easier
Probate is a process that, depending on your circumstances, can go by without pain. Communication that is clear and making an estate plan that is concise before death may have everything attended to before you know it. With life events like the passing of a loved one,...