My Palm Harbor firm can help you complete the tasks required to settle an estate

In Florida, the term probate refers to the process of settling a decedent’s estate with or without a will. Probate is necessary so that a decedent’s assets can be used to pay any outstanding debts and to transfer rightful ownership of what remains to the appropriate heirs. The process of settling a deceased loved one’s affairs can be confusing, especially if the estate is large and if you’ve never gone through the process before. At the Law Office of Nancy J. Oset in Palm Harbor, I handle probate issues for estates large and small. I advise probate administrators and even act as an administrator when requested. My knowledgeable counsel can reduce the time, stress and expense of probate. In cases where the disposition of assets is called into question, my firm is dedicated to resolving disputes effectively and in a timely manner.  

How probate works in Florida

The probate court oversees the administration of estates to make sure creditors are paid and that a decedent’s property goes to the proper parties. Probate does not cover every asset, only those items owned solely by the decedent or those owned jointly that do not automatically pass to a co-owner upon the decedent’s death. Non-probate assets include insurance policies, joint bank accounts and property where ownership is shared by spouses.

Many estates are probated through the formal administration process that lasts many months and requires the personal representative of the state to gain approval from the court before taking certain actions. In these cases, a custodian of the decedent’s will must file a copy with the court within 10 days of learning the decedent has passed.  

If the court accepts the will, the court appoints someone to act as estate administrator, giving that person Letters of Administration. This grant of authority is similar to a power of attorney in that the administrator is legally empowered to make decisions regarding estate. This administrator, also called the personal representative of the estate, can be an individual named as executor in the will, a family member who volunteers or a legal professional. Interested parties can petition the court to be named as representative of the estate.

Tasks of the personal representative include:

• Identifying a decedent’s assets and bringing them into the estate
• Publishing a “Notice to Creditors,” conducting a reasonable search and subsequently using estate funds to pay valid claims
• Defending the estate against improper claims
• Filing and paying taxes on the estate’s behalf
• Hiring professionals such as appraisers and realtors as necessary to help settle the estate
• Distributing probate assets to beneficiaries
• Closing the probate estate

If there is a will, the personal representative is bound by the decedent’s wishes. If there is no will, assets pass to heirs according to Florida’s laws of intestate succession. Smaller estates may not require formal administration. Summary administration, a truncated process where there is less interaction with the court, is available for estates valued at $75,000 or less. Estates without real estate or significant assets can go through a disposition without administration.  

What happens if there is a will dispute?

A dispute over the validity of the will can delay the probate process. Common allegations that are leveled when challengers contest a will include:

• Undue influence — Someone close has manipulated the testator to execute a will that unjustly enriches them at the expense of legitimate heirs.
• Fraud — The testator was deceived into signing the will.
• Forgery — The will is a fake.
• Vagueness — The language of the will is so unclear that its instructions cannot be implemented.

In these matters, the court can evaluate evidence and hear testimony to resolve challenges to the will, and can invalidate the document in whole or part.

Contact a thorough Florida probate lawyer

The Law Office of Nancy J. Oset in Palm Harbor guides Florida clients through the probate process. Please call 727-510-4686 or contact me online to make an appointment.