Broward County Probate Lawyer

If you recently lost a loved one, chances are, you now have to go through the probate process. Probate is the legal process of settling the estate of a deceased person. Probate involves identifying and gathering the assets of the deceased, paying the debts and taxes of the deceased, and distributing the remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries of the deceased. Probate can be complex, which is why it’s always best to proceed with a seasoned Broward County probate lawyer in your corner. Continue reading and contact The Probate Lawyers today to learn more about how the process works and how our legal team can guide you through it.

Probate Lawyer | Here to Guide You Through the Process

Unless your loved one qualifies for summary administration, a simplified process, his or her estate will likely have to go through probate. If you’ve been appointed as the executor or administrator of an estate, you should strongly consider hiring a seasoned Florida estate lawyer who can walk you through the process.

Summary Administration in Florida

Summary administration is a way to avoid the hassle of probate and appointing a Florida personal representative. But not every estate can use this option. To qualify for summary administration in Florida, the decedent must have died more than two years ago and left behind less than $75,000 in assets. If these conditions are met, you can petition the court to distribute the assets to the beneficiaries.

The court will review your petition and, as long as the estate qualifies, issue an Order of Summary Administration. This order gives you the green light to transfer the assets. You should understand, however, that summary administration is not a DIY process. You still need a seasoned lawyer in your corner to ensure the process moves along as smoothly as possible.

The Probate Process in Florida

In the state of Florida, the probate process is governed by Chapter 733 of the Florida Statutes and the Florida Probate Rules. In most cases, the probate process will entail the following:

• Filing a petition for administration with the circuit court in the county where the deceased resided or owned property
• Appointing a personal representative, also known as an executor or administrator, to manage the estate
• Notifying the heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, and other interested parties of the probate proceeding
• Identifying and inventorying the assets of the estate
• Paying the debts and taxes of the estate
• Distributing the remaining assets of the estate to the heirs or beneficiaries according to the will of the deceased or the laws of intestacy

Assets typically included in the probate process include bank accounts, real estate, stocks and bonds, vehicles, and personal property owned by the decedent. Importantly, probate is just one part of the estate administration process. As such, certain assets may not be included in the probate process and will have to be administered another way. These assets can include trusts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable or transfer-on-death accounts.

Contact a Florida Probate Lawyer Today

Probate can be complicated, which is why you should never go it alone. A competent Broward County probate lawyer from The Probate Lawyers can guide you through the process and ensure you and your family’s interests are protected. Contact us today so we can get started.