Tag Archives: Fort Myers Probate Litigation Lawyers
Understanding Florida Probate Deadlines
One of the basic principles of Florida probate administration is that there are certain legal deadlines for creditors to present claims against an estate. The way the process normally works, the personal representative (executor) of the estate publishes a notice in the newspaper. This notice says that anyone with a claim against the estate… Read More »
How Does a “Tenancy by the Entirety” Work in Florida?
One way that married couples can leave an asset to one another without the need for probate is by holding the property as “tenants by the entirety.” This is a special form of property ownership exclusively available to married co-owners, although it is similar to a joint tenancy with right of survivorship. With a… Read More »
Florida Supreme Court Clarifies When Presumption of Paternity May Be Challenged
Florida probate law provides for the inheritance rights of children of a parent who dies without leaving a will–i.e., an “intestate estate.” Florida law makes no distinction between children born in or out of wedlock. But with respect to the father’s estate, the child’s paternity must be established, either by court order or a… Read More »
When Can Someone Be Declared Legally Dead in Florida?
The administration of a Florida probate estate can only begin once the person in question is deceased. That seems like common sense. But how does Florida law address cases where an individual is missing and presumed dead but there is no body or other concrete proof of death? Under Section 731.103 of the Florida… Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions About Summary Administration in Florida
Florida probate is the process by which property is transferred from a deceased individual (the decedent) to his or her beneficiaries. A formal probate administration can take several months–even years–depending on the complexity of the decedent’s estate. However, in some cases Florida law provides for a simplified probate process known as summary administration. Here… Read More »
Will Adding My Child to My House Deed Help Avoid Probate?
A common estate planning goal for many Florida residents is keeping a home or other real property within the family. There are a number of options to accomplish this objective. You can simply leave the property to a family member in your last will and testament. But this means the home will need to… Read More »
Challenging Tortious Interference in a Florida Will or Trust
Florida probate litigation frequently arises when one or more parties contest the validity of a decedent’s will or trust. Consider a situation where a decedent makes last minute changes to her will, substituting one beneficiary for another. The former beneficiary may have reason to suspect that the new beneficiary procured the new will through… Read More »
