Estate Administration & Probate

Family situations can be complex. For example, an individual in a second marriage may want to provide for his or her spouse's welfare, yet also leave a bequest to children from a previous marriage. Without estate planning, property held in a joint tenancy might...

Readers likely know that the rules of intestacy in Florida provide for the passing of an estate to the surviving spouse, subject to certain conditions. Yet probate is often required before the rules of intestacy can be applied to an estate. One way to bypass...

All of us want to make certain that our wishes are carried out when we are no longer able to make those determinations for ourselves. Though we may have children or other relatives we depend upon to make those determinations for us, there are times when these...

It's easy to overlook certain assets when preparing an estate plan. One item Florida readers may forget due to the recent development of such items are online assets. Online accounts and other files may become inaccessible making it extremely difficult for one's heirs...

Austin Frye featured onLeaving your IRA to your estateDo not-repeat, do not-name your estate as your individual retirement account beneficiary or it will be subject to claims and creditors during probate, the legal process for settling your estate.When you die, your...

The following is based upon true stories I have heard through the years.To My Little Sister (the letter I wish I could send you):Growing-up with you and Mom and Dad in our family home from the mid-1950's to the 1970's, I truly believe that I properly and responsibly...

While families often put estate planning matters off, the death of a loved one is almost never timely and it often catches family members unprepared. One sister had a 51-year-old brother who had access to the resources needed to put a plan into place. However, she was...

An estate once worth close to $10 million has now been reduced to around $4 million. The estate in question involves Fontainbleau hotel heir Ben Novacek Jr. A five-year probate dispute has been ongoing concerning this estate. The deceased man's wife has been...

While many Miami, Florida, residents understand that it’s very important to plan ahead and make major estate planning decisions before their passing, fewer may have a clear understanding of the various components that go into the process. For instance, many people do...

While just about everyone can think of something better to do than begin planning for the prospect of illness and death, it is always recommended that individuals think about such things ahead of time so that they have the opportunity to make important choices and...