Serving as the personal representative during probate is often a significant task. This position involves fulfilling duties on behalf of the deceased, which usually includes financial and administrative responsibilities. Additionally, the person for this job should...
Crystal River Florida Legal Blog
What does Florida’s elective share law mean for surviving spouses?
Losing a lifetime partner is one of the hardest experiences you will ever face. The grief and sadness can be overwhelming. But what can make this situation even more heartbreaking is discovering that your spouse's will leaves you with little to no inheritance, despite...
When does summary administration apply in Florida?
Probate can be lengthy and costly, usually varying depending on the estate, its details, and its value. However, in some scenarios, the estate can skip probate and qualify for less formal alternatives that may become applicable according to the circumstances. One of...
Can I refuse to be an estate’s executor?
Taking on the role of an estate's executor could be a significant undertaking, especially if the deceased left high-value assets that can be challenging to administer. If someone chose you for this position, it could be reasonable to feel overwhelmed with the...
Can I minimize my estate tax?
Florida offers a favorable tax climate for estate planning. Unlike many states, Florida no longer has estate taxes. However, the federal government still imposes an estate tax on estates exceeding a specific threshold. Understanding the Federal Estate tax The federal...
3 reasons to consider avoiding probate
Probate is often a pivotal step of estate administration, demanding full transparency over all actions taken toward executing a will. This legal process ensures all assets are accounted for, the estate’s taxes and debts are paid and assets are handed to the rightful...
Can I skip probate without a trust?
When someone passes away, a court oversees the administration of their estate through a legal process called probate. This legal procedure can be lengthy, costly and public, which is why you would usually hear legal professionals advising you to avoid this by creating...
When can I use temporary intestacy during estate planning?
Intestacy happens when someone dies without a last will and testament. Since they did not mention how to distribute their property in a will, the courts will determine the beneficiaries based on Florida’s inheritance statute. Temporary intestacy, on the other hand, is...
What assets must go through probate?
After someone’s death, there is no automatic method to distribute their assets to their heirs. In most cases, the estate could go through probate, which helps manage and administer the estate under the court’s direction. This process can involve numerous procedures,...
3 trust options for high-asset married couples in Florida
When estate planning, married couples with high-value assets put a premium on their privacy. That’s why they tend to create trusts over wills to do away with the probate process. This gives added protection for their assets and confidentiality. However, creating a...
