When you inherit property in Florida, you may assume it is automatically safe from claims by a spouse or creditors. The reality is that inherited real estate, bank accounts, or other assets can become vulnerable without proper planning. Family disputes, divorce...
In Florida, not all property goes through the probate court when someone passes away. Understanding the difference between probate and non-probate assets is essential for personal representatives, surviving family members, and anyone involved in estate planning. Some...
When someone passes away, a personal representative (sometimes called an executor) is appointed to handle their estate. Florida law outlines a specific set of duties that this person must carry out, regardless of whether they are a family member, friend, or...
Probate in Florida doesn’t always mean months of court filings and formal hearings. If an estate meets certain criteria, it may qualify for summary administration, a faster and more affordable alternative to formal probate. This option can reduce the burden on...
How to Start the Probate Process in Florida After a Loved One Passes When someone close to you passes away in Florida, their estate often must go through probate before assets can be distributed. The process can be complex, especially during an emotional time, but...
How to Fund a Florida Trust and Avoid Common Mistakes Creating a trust is only the first step, funding it properly is what brings it to life. Without correctly transferring assets into your Florida trust, it won’t function as intended and won’t help avoid probate....
Many Florida residents are moving away from traditional wills in favor of living trusts when planning their estates. While both tools serve important functions, trusts provide more flexibility and control—especially when avoiding probate is a priority. For those...
Choosing a trustee is one of the most important decisions you'll make when creating a trust. The person or institution you appoint will be responsible for carrying out your wishes and managing assets held in trust. In Florida, this role comes with legal obligations...
If you split your time between Florida and another state, your estate plan needs to account for property and legal processes in both. For many snowbirds, a revocable living trust provides an efficient way to transfer Florida assets without going through probate. These...
Setting up a Florida trust can provide long-term security, tax advantages, and smoother transitions of wealth. But deciding which assets to transfer into that trust takes careful planning. Misplacing the wrong property or leaving out critical items can cause legal...
