Best Probate Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?

  For non-emergency cases, you may call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department at (954) 828-5700.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?

  You can obtain a copy of the police report for probate-related cases by visiting the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Records Division, located at 1300 West Broward Blvd., from Mondays to Fridays, 8 am to 6 pm. You can also call the Records Division phone line at 954-828-5465 or send an email to PublicRecords@fortlauderdale.gov.

• Can the personal representative be held liable for mistakes during probate in Fort Lauderdale?

  Yes, personal representatives in Fort Lauderdale can be held liable for mistakes during a probate case. They have a fiduciary duty to the estate’s heirs and beneficiaries. Failure to fulfill this duty may result in being guilty of breaching that fiduciary duty and being held accountable for resulting damages. If they are proven to be liable, claims may be paid from the personal representative’s estate share or their personal assets.

• What happens if someone dies without a will in Fort Lauderdale?

  In Fort Lauderdale, if a person dies without a will, their estate will be distributed according to the state's intestate succession laws. The assets will be distributed among the surviving family members based on the order of inheritance as determined by Florida law. The decedent's spouse is typically given priority as the personal representative, but it is not an automatic appointment.

• What if there are no surviving heirs in a Fort Lauderdale probate case?

  Under Florida law, the decedent’s heirs are individuals who are related to the decedent. If there is no living heir in a Fort Lauderdale probate case, the decedent’s assets will pass to the State of Florida, eventually becoming owned by the state and sold. The monetary proceedings will then be put to the State School Fund.

• How much does probate cost in Fort Lauderdale?

  The cost of filing probate in Fort Lauderdale can vary, depending on the total value of the estate and the complexity of the case. Typically, costs include attorney and accountant fees, court filing and executor bond fees, out-of-state probate costs for assets in multiple jurisdictions, notices and publication fees, and translation of wills, if necessary. These costs can differ depending on the specific circumstances of each probate case.

• Who is responsible for initiating the probate process in Fort Lauderdale?

  In Fort Lauderdale, the personal representative or executor in the decedent's will is typically responsible for initiating the probate process. This involves filing the will with the court and submitting a petition for administration to the probate court. However, it's important to note that if there is no will or there is no named personal representative, any interested party, such as a beneficiary or creditor, can also initiate the probate process by filing the necessary documents with the probate court.

• What does a probate attorney do?

  Probate attorneys are licensed professionals who represent executors and heirs after someone has died. They provide personalized legal advice, assist with tax planning, settle debts, and facilitate the distribution of assets. Probate attorneys typically represent clients during administrative proceedings overseen by probate courts, although some litigators focus on handling disputes and lawsuits related to contested estates.

• What is probate court?

  Probate court works with the family or beneficiaries of a deceased person to validate their last will and testament. The courts review the individual's will to identify and calculate assets, pay off remaining debts, and distribute the remaining property to beneficiaries per the deceased person's requests. Depending on state laws, property valued under a certain amount may not require probate.

• How long do you have to file probate after death?

  The amount of time loved ones have to file a will after a person dies varies from state to state. While California courts require probate to be filed within one year, New York has no deadline. That being said, it's advisable to file probate as quickly as possible once a person has died, as the process itself can take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year.

• Does life insurance go through probate?

  Life insurance doesn't need to go through the probate courts if the deceased individual has named a beneficiary on their policy. However, life insurance policies without beneficiaries, or with beneficiaries who are either deceased themselves or cannot be contacted, go directly to the deceased individual's estate. When this happens, life insurance proceeds must go through probate court to determine how funds should be allocated.

• Do household items go through probate?

  While the exact rules do vary from state to state, most household items don't require probate and are automatically left to immediate families unless otherwise stated in the deceased person's will. When it comes to property, only items above a certain value or held in title are required to go through probate in most states.

• Do bank accounts with beneficiaries have to go through probate?

  In the event a beneficiary has been named, bank accounts are not required to go through probate and will be paid directly to the person designated by the deceased individual. However, should that individual be deceased themselves or if contact cannot be made after a certain period of time, funds will be allocated to the estate and put through the probate process.

• What happens if no probate is filed?

  Depending on the circumstances, probate may not be required in all cases. If a person passes on and their remaining property is jointly owned, it automatically transfers to the other owner. However, if a property is not jointly owned and no probate has been filed, the executor of the will won't be able to transfer titles or cash assets to beneficiaries. Be aware that the specific laws surrounding probate requirements vary from state to state.

• What is probate real estate?

  Probate real estate is the process that happens when a realtor steps in to handle the sale or transfer of a deceased person's owned home to another individual. In some cases, the house is sold as a means of liquidating assets, and proceeds from the sale are used to pay debts or are distributed to beneficiaries.

• Can I probate a will or estate without an attorney?

  It is possible to probate a will and close an estate without hiring an attorney. However, it requires multiple steps and an understanding of the law. The first step is to petition the court to appoint a representative for the estate. Next, the executor must notify all heirs and creditors before switching ownership from the decedent to the estate. Once all debts, taxes, and final expenses have been paid, funds can be transferred to heirs. To close an estate, the executor must submit a report showing the court that all obligations and final wishes have been satisfied. While a will and estate may seem straightforward, things can get complicated quickly if multiple heirs are involved, or if disputes or disagreements arise over distribution. A probate lawyer can help navigate these disputes effectively, and take pressure off the executor when beneficiaries aren’t getting along.

• How many years can an estate remain in probate?

  If the will or proposed distribution of property is contested, an estate may remain in probate for several years. The timeline depends on how long relatives have to initiate probate, how long creditors have to come forward, and how busy the courts are. In some states, such as Florida, relatives have just 10 days to initiate probate, and the entire process takes approximately six months. In other areas, such as Massachusetts, the process can last one to two years, although the majority of probate activities occur in the first nine months. The value of the estate also affects the duration of the case. For example, California and Texas have simplified procedures for smaller estates, such as those valued at $150,000 or less.

• When is a will's probate an automatic process?

  Probate is the legal process of validating a last will and testament to ensure that the decedent's wishes are followed. A probate judge may automatically clear wills if they're accompanied by an affidavit from the decedent, a notary, and a witness. Some assets, including financial accounts with designated beneficiaries, and funds held by certain types of trusts don't have to go through probate.

• What does it mean when property is under probate?

  Real estate that's under probate is typically liquidated through the court system, which is most common when someone dies without a will. Home buyers who are interested in this type of property must follow special rules regarding deposits, which are sometimes nonrefundable, and buyer's premiums. Additionally, the court must approve the purchase price.