Probate for Non-Resident Property Owners in Florida
Florida has long been a destination for retirees, investors, and vacationers. As a result, many non-residents own real estate here—whether it’s a beachfront condo, a rental property, or a seasonal second home. But when a non-resident property owner passes away, their out-of-state estate must often navigate Florida’s ancillary probate process to transfer...
What Are the Differences Between an Executor, Personal Representative, Trustee, Agent / Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, and Guardian?
When my clients and I discuss their estate planning documents and advance directives (Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Living Wills & Designations of Health Care Surrogates, and Nominations of Guardians for Incapacity and for Minor Children), I explore their wishes about who will be responsible for various roles in their estate...
How Long After Death Do You Have to File Probate?
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is emotionally challenging. In the midst of grief, family members often find themselves facing legal and financial responsibilities, one of the most important being probate. If you’re wondering how long after a person’s death you have to file probate in Florida, you’re not alone.
The Role of Living Trusts in Avoiding Probate
When it comes to estate planning, avoiding probate is often a top priority for individuals and families. Probate can be time-consuming, costly, and stressful for loved ones, especially during an emotional time. One effective way to sidestep this process is through a living trust. For residents of Palm Harbor, Tampa, and St....
Navigating Probate When There’s No Will
Losing a loved one is never easy and can feel even more overwhelming if they didn’t leave behind a will. When there’s no clear plan, it’s natural to feel unsure about the next steps. If you’re facing this situation in Florida, you’re not alone. Florida’s probate system provides a framework for handling...
Preserving Your Legacy When You Have No Heirs
Individuals who have no heirs may be tempted to forgo creating an estate plan, thinking that it doesn’t matter who takes their property after death. However, failing to dictate who inherits from you merely allows the state to decide on your behalf. Individuals who you had never intended to acquire your assets...
Types of Assets That Are Exempt From Probate in Florida
When someone dies, in most cases their estate must be probated to determine who will inherit which assets. The process can be costly and time-consuming, and it opens the estate to often unwanted public scrutiny. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid or minimize the impact of probate. In fact, certain types of...
How Much Does an Estate Have to Be Worth to Go to Probate?
Probate is a court-supervised process by which a person’s last will and testament are validated or “proven.” Once probated, debts of the estate can be paid and assets can be distributed to heirs. Because of the time and expense that are necessarily involved in probating an estate, many interested individuals (particularly heirs)...
Key Questions To Ask When Determining If You Need A Probate Attorney
When the death of a loved one occurs, it is overwhelming from an emotional perspective. And then come the potential issues of sorting out the person’s estate as well at that point. When dealing with the estate of a deceased person in the Tampa area, deciding whether you need a probate attorney...
How do Inheritance Taxes Differ from Estate Taxes?
Inheritance taxes and estate taxes are two distinct methods of taxation that are confused due to their common objective of collecting revenue upon the transfer of wealth. While both forms of taxation are related to the transmission of assets from one generation to the next, they differ in significant ways, including...