Tag Archives: heirs
What does a Florida court consider probate assets?
The process of carrying on with one’s life after the loss of a beloved family member can be traumatic for many Lee County, Florida, residents. Once the funeral and burial services are finished, this is usually followed by the process of gathering the deceased’s possessions and determining what to do with them. Items of… Read More »
Florida calling for more probate judges
The Florida Supreme Court has recently put the state Legislature on notice to the fact that Florida needs more judges. The State’s highest court cited the large number of cases, the increased complexity of those cases and new legislation as the primary reason for requesting 32 new judges. One of the biggest areas of… Read More »
Florida probate laws always changing
Florida has a well-established probate code that dates back to the turn of the 19th century. In addition to the code, our state enjoys ample legal precedent from judges that have interpreted these laws. As a result, there is some continuity and certainty in the probate of an estate. At the same time, the… Read More »
Strange probate litigation ends up in Florida appellate court
Everyone know that courts are in place to resolve disputes. Given the costs, administrative headaches and public nature of those courts, however, most disputes brought before them are high dollar matters. Nevertheless, probate litigation is still an area where less financially charged conflicts are being fought. For instance, a Florida appellate court recently heard… Read More »
Florida probate laws lay Groundwork for efficient administration
Like most states, Florida has a lot of laws. These laws are codified and made available to the public. While many of them may not interest the average Floridian, the probate laws may be interesting to those tasked with administering an estate. These statutes set forth such things as will formalities, intestate succession and… Read More »
Florida Judge experienced at preventing undue influence
Broward Circuit Judge Mel Grossman certainly has some interesting stories to tell after 36 years as a Florida judge. From cases involving well known entertainers to notorious motorcycle gangs, the judge knows how litigation can stir emotions. His proudest achievement, though, is shaping the local probate court, which has become a federally recognized model… Read More »
Florida courts help heirs through estate administration
This blog regularly reports on the difference between a will and a trust. The most commonly cited difference is that trusts are private documents which can be administered, generally, without court supervision. Wills on the other hand must go through a probate process that is overseen by Florida courts. After decades of guiding heirs… Read More »
Why is probate administration important?
Virtually everyone has heard about and fretted over the word “probate.” Probate, the court supervised gathering and distribution of a deceased person’s assets, has gotten a bad reputation in Florida and in other states because of the administrative hoops loved ones must jump through. While there are certainly formal requirements, the process of probate… Read More »
Will contests disrupt Florida families
The story is horrifying and yet not altogether uncommon in Florida. An individual seeks out professional help to create an estate plan. Given the number of potential heirs and the assets at stake, the individual specifically sets out to prevent a future court battle between their kids. Despite all efforts, however, after the individual… Read More »
Majority of Florida residents fear probate litigation
According to recent reports, the majority of Florida residents fear the probate process. If a layperson only knows one thing about estate planning, it is often to stay as far away from probate as possible. This mindset is not altogether surprising. Probate involves numerous and often complex statutes which can directly affect the administration… Read More »
