Do you have a Florida will? Have you decided who you would like to inherit from your Palm Beach estate? Is there an agency or charity that you wish to leave money to in a Florida will? In order to insure that the people you wish to inherit your assets actually inherit them, you should meet with an experienced estate planning lawyer to create a will or trust. Probate lawyers know that, in your Florida will, you can specify exactly where you would like your money to end up when you pass away.

What is a motion for substitution of counsel? What does a motion for substitution of counsel have to do with guardianship litigation? According to Florida law, does an alleged incapacitated person have a right to have counsel of his or her own choosing? Does an alleged incapacitated person have the right to have a motion for substitution of counsel granted? You may want to read a 2017 Florida guardianship opinion,Campbell v. Campbell .

Probate litigators know how important it is to be knowledgeable about Florida Statutes and all amendments and additions made to them. For example, on April 1,2013, e-filing became mandatory throughout Florida. What does this mean? Do all Florida claims need to be e-filed or only probate claims? Are there exceptions? Who is a creditor to a Florida estate? When does a creditor need to make a claim against a Florida estate?  

What happens if a person dies with no spouse, children, parents, or siblings? What happens when a decedent dies intestate and is not survived by any person that is entitled to his intestate property? What happens when the decedent has no heirs and no West Palm Beach will? Do you want your money to escheat to the State? Probate lawyers know that you may want to read Florida Statute 732.107.

Are you the beneficiary of a Florida trust? Do you know what your rights are as a beneficiary of a trust in Florida? Who are “qualified beneficiaries” under the Florida Trust Code? When should you speak with a West Palm Beach probate lawyer? Do you need a West Palm Beach trust lawyer if you are the beneficiary of a trust in Florida? Are you confused about whether or not you are a beneficiary of a trust? You may want to read a January 9.2019 Fourth DCA opinion, Hadassah v. Melcer. 

What are the three secrets to what a surviving spouse in Florida inherits automatically and guaranteed? What is a surviving spouse? What should Orlando and West Palm Beach probate lawyers know about surviving spouses and inheritance rights? Have you heard of a Florida surviving spouse’s elective share? Elective share is a right that a husband and wife have to a guaranteed inheritance from their deceased spouse’s Florida estate. The law regarding elective shares in Florida has recently changed, so its important that you and your inheritance lawyer understand the changes.

Have you just become a ward in a Florida guardianship? Were you appointed a Florida guardian? Have you been deemed incapacitated by a Florida guardianship judge? What is Florida Statute 744.3215? Did you know that if you are deemed incapacitated in Florida, certain rights may be taken away from you? Do you know what rights you now have?  If you are a ward in Florida, or involved in a guardianship proceeding, you may want to read Florida Statute 744.3215. It lists the rights that a person retains when determined incapacitated and the rights that may be removed.

Florida probate lawyers who handle litigation know that, while family members may “fight” over money and property, often times, there are very strong personal feelings involved among brothers and sisters. Your experienced trust and estates lawyer should know how to handle the emotional issues in addition to the law. This is because non-legal issues, such as disdain for family members, are often major “influencers” to litigation.

Did you know that certain rights can be taken away from you if you are deemed incapacitated by a Florida guardianship court? What can you do to protect yourself from becoming the ward in a Florida guardianship matter? How can an estate plan benefit you, even before you die? When should you consult with a Florida estate planning lawyer? How can an estate plan help you to avoid a guardianship?

Can I inherit under prior Florida wills? In Florida, how do I inherit if someone dies without a will?Are you involved in an estate or inheritance lawsuit West Palm Beach where someone is contesting a will? Do you have a relative whose estate is about to pass through intestacy? What is the doctrine of dependent relative revocation?