How to Set Healing Goals While Navigating Grief and Loss
Words by: Annabelle Harris Miami residents facing family loss often have to keep moving while grief pulls focus in the opposite direction. For grieving individuals, the emotional challenges of grief, shock, fatigue, anger, numbness, and guilt, can make basic decisions feel heavy, and legal responsibilities can add pressure at the worst time. That’s when […]
Getting Your Digital Ducks in a Row
Let’s be honest — estate planning isn’t exactly how most people want to spend a Sunday afternoon. But here’s the thing: getting organized now means making things so much easier later — for you and for the people you love. At its heart, estate planning is about taking care of yourself and your people. It’s […]
I Signed My Trust… Now What?
Congratulations! You’ve taken a huge step in securing your legacy and protecting your loved ones by getting your trust done. But before you pat yourself on the back and tuck that binder away for safekeeping (I know… I’m sorry), there are a few more things you have to check off your list before I can […]
Understanding Elective Share in Florida: What You Need to Know
As a probate attorney, I frequently meet spouses who are surprised to learn that the provisions left for them in their deceased spouse’s will are not as ironclad as they might seem (or as he or she “promised” during their lifetime…eek). In Florida, if a surviving spouse feels that the amount left to them in […]
The Public Nature of Probate: Why Most of Your Estate’s Information is Public Record
As a probate attorney, one of the most frequent questions I receive is: “How much of my personal business will be made public in probate?” It’s a valid concern, and many people are surprised to learn that probate cases are, by default, part of the public record. This means that the details of your estate […]
Does being named as Personal Representative in a Will avoid Probate?
Many people come to us and say “But I was designated as Personal Representative in the Will so we don’t need to open a probate case, right?” Unfortunately, the answer is “No.” Being named as a Personal Representative (also known as an executor or administrator) in a will does not avoid probate. A Will […]
Do I really care if the property ends up in Probate?
The answer is YES!!! If someone passes away without taking any steps to ensure their property passes to their loved ones outside of court, their property will need to be probated. This means that someone has to open a court case and ask a judge to distribute the property (or sell it in the estate). […]
How to Obtain a Death Certificate
Your relative has passed away and your probate attorney has asked you for an original Death Certificate. Where do you get that? Do you have to go to downtown? Travel to Jacksonville? Pay someone to do this for you? This may be one of the most overwhelming moments in your life and something relatively […]
Homestead and Life Estates… Now What?
In Florida, homestead property is subject to special rules regarding distribution at death. If a person who owns homestead property dies, their surviving spouse may be entitled to a life estate in the property, depending on the circumstances. Under Florida law, if a person who owns homestead property dies and is survived by a spouse, […]
How Long Does Probate Take?
In some cases, the probate process in Florida can take as little as six months, but that is not the typical case. It usually takes anywhere from half a year to eighteen months, and complicated cases may take as long as two years or more. However, having an idea of how long a case may […]