Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Behind the Curtain: What Really Happens When Someone Challenges a Will in Florida
A will is supposed to be the final word. But what happens when someone disagrees, loudly, with what that word says? In Florida, that disagreement has a name: a will contest. And if you have recently lost a loved one and suspect something is off about the will left behind, you are probably wondering… Read More »
The Personal Representative Playbook: Pitfalls to Sidestep in Florida Probate
Being named personal representative of an estate can feel like an honor. Someone trusted you enough to put your name in their will. But that honor comes with real responsibility, and more than a few well-meaning personal representatives have stumbled their way into legal trouble simply because nobody warned them what to watch for…. Read More »
Key Deadlines in Florida Probate Litigation You Should Know
Probate has a reputation for moving slowly, and in some ways that reputation is earned. But here is the part people do not expect: while the overall process can drag on, it is packed with hard deadlines that wait for no one. Miss one, and a valid claim, objection, or challenge can disappear for… Read More »
When Does a Trustee Have to Show You the Money? Florida’s Trust Accounting Rules Explained
If you are a beneficiary of a Florida trust, you have probably wondered at some point what is actually happening with the assets. Are bills being paid? Is the trustee spending trust funds appropriately? Is anyone keeping track of all this? The good news is that Florida law does not leave beneficiaries in the… Read More »
So You Were Named Personal Representative. Now What?
Getting named as a personal representative can feel like an honor and a headache at the same time. Someone trusted you enough to hand over the keys to their estate, but that trust comes with a long list of responsibilities, and Florida law does not leave much room for winging it. If you have… Read More »
Why Your “Quick” Florida Probate Just Turned Into a Yearlong Ordeal
Nobody expects probate to be quick, exactly, but most families assume it will move along in a predictable, orderly fashion. Then a dispute pops up. Suddenly the timeline everyone was counting on stretches out, and nobody seems to know when it will actually end. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Probate litigation… Read More »
The Clock Is Ticking: What Florida Families Should Know About Will Contest Deadlines
Losing a loved one is hard enough without discovering that something feels off about their will. Maybe a sibling was suddenly written out. Maybe a new version popped up right before the person passed away, and it looks nothing like the one you always heard about. Whatever the situation, if you are thinking about… Read More »
Can Mediation Actually Fix a Probate Fight? Here Is What Florida Families Should Know
Probate disputes have a way of bringing out the worst timing imaginable. A family is already grieving, and now siblings, stepparents, or distant relatives are suddenly at odds over who gets what, who was supposed to be in charge, or whether a will even reflects what the person really wanted. Naturally, the idea of… Read More »
Fort Lauderdale Probate Litigation: What to Expect from Start to Finish
If you are caught up in a probate dispute in Fort Lauderdale, you are probably feeling a mix of grief, frustration, and confusion all at once. Probate litigation is not something most people plan for, and the process can feel overwhelming if you do not know what is coming. Here is a plain-language look… Read More »
Can Beneficiaries Sue a Personal Representative in Florida?
If you are a beneficiary of an estate and something feels off with how things are being handled, you are probably wondering what, if anything, you can actually do about it. The short answer is yes, beneficiaries in Florida can take legal action against a personal representative. But there is more to the story… Read More »