Guardianship is a legal process where a court appoints someone to make decisions for another person who cannot do so themselves. This person can be a minor or someone with incapacity, disability, or other reasons. Guardianship is crucial because it ensures vulnerable...
Probate and Estate Administration
Understanding probate and why you should consider avoiding it
Probate is a legal process that involves validating the deceased person's will, identifying their assets, paying off debts and distributing the remaining property to heirs. While probate serves an essential purpose, consider avoiding it during estate planning. The...
3 potential causes of probate delays to anticipate
Many factors can cause probate delays and anticipating these can help manage expectations for how long the probate process might take and, if possible, allow involved parties to develop strategies to avoid them or at least minimize their impact to the timeline. Here...
Can the estate’s personal representative receive compensation?
Being a personal representative can be a significant responsibility, usually based on the estate's details and size. Their duties can be extensive and tedious, including organizing assets, sorting out the decedent's financial requirements and keeping heirs updated on...
Why can probate take longer than expected?
When a loved one dies, their estate typically goes through a legal process called probate. Probate involves validating the deceased person's will, identifying their assets, paying off debts and distributing what remains to the rightful heirs. However, this process can...
Considerations for selecting a fiduciary for your estate
Part of estate planning involves selecting a fiduciary, the person who will play the role of managing and distributing your assets according to your wishes after your death. Your fiduciary can be an executor, trustee, or personal representative, and their role is...
Tips for avoiding probate
Probate is a legal process that can be time-consuming and costly, and it often adds unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation. Fortunately, there are strategies you can employ to avoid probate and streamline the transfer of your assets to your heirs....
Do all creditors get paid during a Florida probate?
Before personal representatives distribute an estate’s assets to the decedent’s heirs and beneficiaries, they should first pay the deceased debts and obligations as part of the probate process. However, this does not mean that every creditor who makes a claim against...
The difference between probates with and without a will
A will plays a significant role in probate proceedings. The document will determine the distribution process, the handler and the inheritors. If you are an interested party in a Florida probate, here are the things you should know about the probate process of willed...
Can debt collectors ask my family to pay off my debts after I die?
Death is an inevitable occurrence that neither you nor your loved ones will ever be ready for. But while you cannot minimize your family’s grief in case something happens to you, you can prevent creditors from manipulating them into paying your debts and other...
