Jointly inheriting real estate can be tricky, particularly when the beneficiaries don’t agree on what to do with the property and want to split an inherited house. This situation often occurs when multiple siblings inherit their parent’s home as co-owners. When siblings disagree over whether to keep the property or sell it, increased family tensions …
Being incapacitated indicates that someone is not able to care for themselves. Florida law does not allow someone incapacitated to create, revoke, or update an existing will, trust, or beneficiary designation. For the incapacitated person’s loved ones and heirs, changes to estate planning once they can no longer care for themselves are emotionally and financially …
In Florida, most estates will go through some sort of probate process. However, not every estate will need to go through probate. For instance, if a person passes away without a will and all of their assets have beneficiaries or joint owners with rights of survivorship, probate is likely not required. But since most people …
Do All Estates Have To Go Through Probate in Florida? Read More »
The last will and testament is often the most vital estate planning document. When you pass, your will guides the disposition of your property, assets, and wealth. You can appoint a trusted executor to oversee your estate’s closing. Through this person, hopefully, your last wishes are accomplished. However, a will induced or executed by fraud …
Undue influence or pressure is a legal cause of action that can be used to invalidate a will or trust in Florida. You can also challenge beneficiary designations for payable-on-death bank and securities accounts in Florida. If you can win an undue pressure lawsuit, a probate court may be forced to invalidate an entire inheritance …
What Constitutes Undue Pressure or Influence in Florida? Read More »
If a person passes away without a will, their assets are distributed by probate court according to Florida’s intestate succession laws. However, having a will does not mean you avoid probate court. Florida probate court governs the disposition of all descendants’ (the person who passed away) estates. Many assets will pass directly to designated beneficiaries …
How Long Do You Have To Contest Probate in Florida? Read More »
Inheritance laws in Florida are based on whether there was a valid, enforceable last will and testament for the person who passed. If they had executed and signed a will, their remaining assets would typically be distributed according to the wishes outlined in the document. However, if someone passes away without a will, their assets …
Tortious interference is when a third party to a contract intentionally acts to harm the financial potential of the relationship. While it is usually associated with business contracts, wills and trusts can be subject to tortious interference in Florida. An inheritance can be a significant financial event in your life. If someone improperly interfered to …
A breach of fiduciary duty occurs when a “fiduciary,” such as the personal representative of an estate, a trustee, or a guardian, fails to comply with the duties created by the nature of their relationship with another person. A fiduciary relationship exists whenever one person places confidence and trust in and is at some level …
Florida Probate Code Section 733.814 allows the personal representative or a beneficiary of an estate to initiate a “partition action” to split property between beneficiaries. It reads as follows: “When two or more beneficiaries are entitled to distribution of undivided interests in any property, the personal representative or any beneficiary may petition the court before …
The term “residuary” refers to the “residue” of an estate or trust, which is all of the property that remains after the specific gifts detailed in the will or trust are distributed. An asset, such as personal property or real estate, is considered to be part of the residue of an estate or trust if …
An inheritance lawyer, also known as a probate or estate lawyer, is a state-licensed attorney who helps personal representatives and heirs of estates handle the estate of a deceased person. An inheritance lawyer can be involved in various capacities based on the specific details of an estate. A probate lawyer’s role in settling an estate …