Category Archives: Probate Litigation
Stepchildren and Inheritance Rights
Blended families are becoming more common nowadays. Couples marry, have children and divorce. Some go on to marry others with children from previous relationships and they may even have children of their own together. Some people automatically consider their children and their spouse’s children to be their own, but inheritance law does not operate… Read More »
How Probate Courts Handle Sibling Disputes Over Inheritance
When a loved one dies, there is a lot of grief involved. When family members have to deal with the deceased person’s estate, there may be even more intense emotions, such as anger. Estate conflicts can happen for many reasons, and sometimes even siblings can have disputes with each other. When siblings clash over… Read More »
Breach of Fiduciary Duty in Probate
When a loved one passes away, a family member typically needs to step in to act as the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate. This person holds what’s called a fiduciary duty, which is a significant responsibility. It’s a legal obligation to act in the best interests of the estate and its beneficiaries…. Read More »
Signs a Will May Be Fraudulent or Forged
A beloved family member’s death is often one of the most devastating events a person will face in their life. Unfortunately, there are things that may happen during this time that can make matters even worse. One example is the possibility of a forged or fraudulent will. When a loved one passes away, they… Read More »
Notice of Administration in Probate
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the last thing you may want to deal with during your grief is paperwork from the Florida probate court. Still, if you receive a Notice of Administration, it’s important to pay close attention. This notice outlines key rights, deadlines, and responsibilities in the probate process. Ignoring… Read More »
Can I Use a No-Contest Clause in a Will?
It is suggested that everyone has some sort of estate plan in place. While many people choose a will, sometimes that’s not even enough. You have to think of the possible drama that may occur. When drafting an estate plan, one of the biggest concerns is preventing disputes after you’re gone. Even though only… Read More »
Personal Representative Duties in Probate
After a person dies, their estate typically has to go through probate. Probate is the process of settling a deceased person’s estate, particularly their assets and debts. Not all assets have to go through probate. Some examples include assets held in a living trust, assets with a designated beneficiary (like life insurance policies or… Read More »
Trustee Duties
In most cases, a person dies with a will (or maybe they die with no will at all). In some cases, though, a deceased person may have a trust in place. When a person has a living trust, a trustee manages their assets upon their death. A trustee is a person or entity legally… Read More »
Proposed Amendments to Florida Probate Laws
Sometimes state laws change over time. Some changes are being proposed for certain probate laws. The Florida Probate Rules Committee proposes amendments to the following rules: Rule 5.025 (Adversary Proceedings), Rule 5.122 (Curators), Rule 5.200 (Petition for Administration), Rule 5.320 (Oath of Personal Representative), and Rule 5.470 (Ancillary Administration): The amendment to Rule 5.025… Read More »
Probate: A Process That Costs Money and Time
Death is something that will happen to all of us, but not many of us are prepared for it. Some of us have estate plans in place. Many people have wills in place, but in the grand scheme of things, a will is not enough. For anyone who has assets, a trust is needed…. Read More »