| If you have found yourself in a situation where you | | | | due to the emotions surrounding death. It presents |
| will be dealing with the Florida state court system | | | | you with multiple requirements and tasks to be |
| with regards to a probate or estate related matter, | | | | performed by the personal representative, an |
| or if you think that there is a chance that you will be | | | | experienced Florida probate attorney and a tax |
| in this sort of situation in the near future, it is | | | | consultant. For example, an estate that includes only |
| important that you hire an attorney who understands | | | | a single house and single bank account that has been |
| Florida probate law. | | | | left to a single beneficiary will most likely be a far |
| But what exactly is probate law anyway? Probate | | | | easier and quicker probate to deal with than an |
| law involves the handling of an estate when | | | | estate containing multiple homes in multiple states |
| someone, most commonly a family member or other | | | | that are left to multiple beneficiaries. This becomes |
| loved one, dies. These are the laws that ensure that | | | | even more complicated when an estate includes |
| any of the deceased's creditors are paid off and that | | | | leaving assets to a minor. |
| any remaining assets are distributed to the | | | | Florida's probate law insists that most representatives |
| descendants. It's a good idea to already have in mind | | | | employ an attorney. The state has a rule that unless |
| what you will need to do, when you find yourself in a | | | | the personal representative or an "executor" is the |
| situation where you'll have to deal with probate law. | | | | only beneficiary, he or she must hire a Florida probate |
| To define the term more precisely, probate is a legal | | | | lawyer [ to assist in the probate administration. This |
| process that begins with a petition, or request, to | | | | helps assuage difficulty in a situation involving multiple |
| open the estate and name a personal representative | | | | people, where tensions may run high, by adding a |
| who is responsible for the deceased's property | | | | middleman for communication. |
| administration. The next step is when an official | | | | Florida's probate system is too complex for many |
| Notice of Creditors is printed in a local newspaper or | | | | personal representatives to follow without guidance. |
| other designated public space and Notice of | | | | The courts in the state are not set up nor staffed to |
| Administration is sent to other parties involved. Then, | | | | provide legal assistance with probate. Because of this, |
| creditors have 90 days to file their claims from the | | | | a probate attorney who is experienced will be more |
| first date of publication. Then, the personal | | | | able to get the job done right the first time. If |
| representative can pay the debts and distribute the | | | | mistakes are made by the personal representative |
| remaining estate. To conclude, a petition for | | | | who has not retained an experienced attorney, the |
| discharge is filed, and the estate is closed. | | | | process will need to be redone, which can often take |
| This process may sound simple, but it is far more | | | | extended time and cost more money. |
| complex and involved than it sounds, in no small part | | | | |