Category Archives: Wills Probate
How Does Inheritance Work for Step-Children in Florida?
Step-children CAN inherit from an estate, but they are not automatically entitled to the same inheritance rights as a biologically born heir. While this means there is some extra leg work to do on the estate planning side if you want to ensure your step child inherits anything, this is nothing to be concerned… Read More »
Estate Planning for Parents
As every parent knows: everything changes when you have kids. Parts of your life that you were not worried about suddenly urgently need attention (gotta cover those electrical outlets with plastic plugs…is my dog going to be baby-friendly?…I wonder if the school district here will cut it, or we’ll have to move…) Along with… Read More »
How Much Does Florida Probate Cost?
Issues in estate building and probate law are something you might be generally familiar with. However, this general familiarity will come into much sharper focus once you are called upon to actually understand and drive an estate through the probate process. If and when this happens, people who felt content with their general understanding… Read More »
Why Do We Need Probate?
Far too often, an owner of real property (which can encapsulate both houses or land) dies without going through the process of deeding the real property over to another living person. When this occurs, the Florida property must go through probate. But – why? Many unsuspecting family members have been thrown into the intricate… Read More »
Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties in Florida Probate
Estate planning is a pivotal and important aspect of every person’s life. It is one of those things where even if you make no decision – that in itself is a decision. You either build a solid estate plan that caters to your needs and the needs of your loved ones, or you leave… Read More »
Do Stepchildren Inherit Under Florida Estate Law?
Step parents get a bad rap. From time immemorial, fairy tales speak of the wicked stepmothers of Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, and Snow White. While it is understandable that the dichotomy of a family might be different when a step parent is introduced, in the real world there are plenty of loving, devoted step… Read More »
What Are the Grounds for Contesting a Will in Florida?
When you lose a loved one, the last thing you want to do is stare down a lengthy probate battle. However, sometimes when the directives of a last will and testament are made known, certain people may choose to pursue the process of contesting the will. There are several legitimate grounds for contesting the… Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Probate
Particularly in the state of Florida, the term “probate” is something you should become very familiar with very quickly. Understanding the probate process and how to navigate it can have huge effects on your estate and should inform how you go about building your estate plan. Whether you are a newly appointed personal representative… Read More »
Estate Law And The Florida Guardianship Process
When a person loses the ability or capacity to care for themselves and make their own decisions, various Florida rules and regulations stipulate a process and procedure for that person’s family (or a professional guardian) to be appointed as a legal guardian. A legal guardian is an individual with the legal authority to make… Read More »
What Happens If A Beneficiary Passes Away Before The Testator?
When Ivana Trump, millionaire and ex-wife of former U.S. President Donald Trump, passed away in 2022, much was said about the contents of her last will and testament. Many of the bequests were in line with what was to be expected – money and assets divided amongst her children, friends, and various charitable organizations…. Read More »