Your Ally Throughout The Probate Process
Losing a loved one is never easy. It’s all the more challenging when you are left to sort out their affairs.
In Florida, most estates must go through probate – the court process for settling the property and financial affairs of someone who has passed away. That process can be confusing and time-consuming. There are many rules to follow, and as a personal representation (executor) of the estate, you have a lot of legal responsibilities to fulfill.
I can serve as your legal ally throughout the process. I’m Nancy Oset, a Gulf Coast probate attorney with more than 25 years of experience handling Florida estates. When you work with me, you can expect compassionate guidance and consistent communication. As a solo practitioner, I offer the advantage of one-on-one service. You can expect to work closely with me, benefitting from the insight I have gained in focusing exclusively on estate law for decades.
Peace of mind is invaluable when addressing probate. You can rest assured that you have a capable adviser and advocate in me.
Understanding Florida Probate
The probate process in Florida involves multiple steps:
- Filing the will (if there is one)
- Preparing an inventory of the estate
- Settling any debts
- Filing taxes
- Distributing assets to the appropriate beneficiaries (as designated by the will, if there is one, or by law)
Smaller estates may qualify for a simplified process called summary probate.
If your loved one lived somewhere else but owned real property in Florida, the real estate portion of their estate will need to go through a limited probate process called ancillary probate.
Is Probate Always Necessary?
A carefully constructed estate plan can avoid the need for probate entirely. However, there may still be various estate administration tasks to sort out, including trust administration, property transfers and beneficiary distributions. I can address these and other necessary steps to carefully close out your loved one’s estate.