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Florida Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: I have an enhanced life estate document that was notarized for my father's house. the notary acknowledgment may incorre

the notary acknowledgment may incorrect. The “forgoing instrument” is missing and it only says the person is known to me and produced a drivers license. Is that ok and is the document valid. I live in Florida.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

In Florida, the notarization of documents, including enhanced life estate deeds, must adhere to certain standards to ensure their validity. A key element of notarization is the acknowledgment section, where the notary confirms the identity of the signer and that the signer understands and willingly... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: My husband of 30yrs died and the bank says I have no right to the money in his bank accounts. We live in Jacksonville.

My husband was sick in Jacksonville so I came back from Colombia where I was visiting my family. He just died. But I'm not the Beneficiary on his bank account or any accounts. The bank says I cannot access any of the money in our account since my name isn't on. It. What rights do I have?... View More

Jamy Barreau
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

Please accept my condolences for your loss. Because the bank account was in your husband's name alone, you will have to go through the probate process to gain access. As his wife, you have a right to inherit from him, but you will just have to go through the courts to have that taken care of... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: My husband of 30yrs died and the bank says I have no right to the money in his bank accounts. We live in Jacksonville.

My husband was sick in Jacksonville so I came back from Colombia where I was visiting my family. He just died. But I'm not the Beneficiary on his bank account or any accounts. The bank says I cannot access any of the money in our account since my name isn't on. It. What rights do I have?... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Apr 16, 2024

I am very sorry for your loss on the passing of your husband, please accept my condolences for you and your family at this difficult and sad time. You will need to speak with a Florida Probate Attorney, based on the type of assets and their value will determine the type of probate that is needed,... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: My husband of 30yrs died and the bank says I have no right to the money in his bank accounts. We live in Jacksonville.

My husband was sick in Jacksonville so I came back from Colombia where I was visiting my family. He just died. But I'm not the Beneficiary on his bank account or any accounts. The bank says I cannot access any of the money in our account since my name isn't on. It. What rights do I have?... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Apr 17, 2024

You should make a list of all assets that your husband owned at death. If your husband had a will then property would pass under that will. If he did not have a will, then the assets would pass under the intestate laws of Florida. As a spouse, if a will exists, you either can take under the will or... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Social Security for Florida on
Q: My son is 45 and on disability ss. I would like to be able to leave a small amount of money in a trust for him.

Can I do that without affecting his ss and even though he lives in florida can the person handling the trust live in New york?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2024

Yes, you can set up a special needs trust for your son without affecting his eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid benefits. A special needs trust, also known as a supplemental needs trust, is designed to provide financial support for a person with a disability while... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: How can I obtain an affidavit that states the estate is not indebted. I have a will leaving everything to me.

I need it to get the car title put into my name

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Apr 9, 2024

It depends on the type of assets that will be part of the estate and what their overall value is which will determine the type of probate, if any, is needed and applicable. The Will may need to be probated and in order to do a probate you likely will need a probate attorney based on the type of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: estate

My boyfriends will is in his family possesion. I believe its on his phone. He commited suicide this month and the family wont share the will with me. Is there anything i can do?

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Mar 22, 2024

It's almost impossible that such a document, on a cell phone, would stand up in court. A will has a number of requirements, including the requirement that it be signed by the testator, signed by witnesses, and be notarized. So, it is very doubtful that you can inherit anything unless a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: How easy/ quick is it to ADD a beneficiary to a WILL & TRUST?
Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Mar 18, 2024

You will need to have a Florida Estate Planning Attorney look at and review the Will and or Trust and see what can be done and under what circumstances. Hopefully the grantors of any Trust or any other estate planning documents are alive and have proper mental capacity, in addition, they will need... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: Father passes wife alive with 3 adult children but one passed away leaving 2 adult children & husband. Division? No will

PR LAW... Each child was granted property while father was alive now 3 rental properties remain. Heard there is a new law. Can you say what percentage to each?

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Mar 4, 2024

I am very sorry for your loss and please accept my condolences for you and your family. When there is no Will, then the Florida Intestate Statutes (without a Will) will apply. If all the children are from this marriage, then the surviving spouse inherits everything. You will need to speak with a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: If mother died, no will but was married but husband had abandoned the estate after selling everything,

Can the children get the land put in their names , bypass the husband if he's with another and left county, destroy everything on land before leaving, one kid still stays on land and kept it from being condemned for everything the husband done prior to abandoning a junk yard, and sold... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 1, 2024

In cases where a spouse dies without a will, known as dying "intestate," the distribution of the estate is subject to state laws. Generally, the surviving spouse is entitled to a portion of the estate, with the remainder distributed among the deceased's children. However, if the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: Is my husband entitled to any money from father’s house bought in 1981 w/ step-mom?

They had no kids 2gether. She had a couple from previous marriage & he had my husband.

FIL just passed, Step-mom wants to see & move closer to kids near Bradenton. Does my husband get half of house now or after she passes say 20 yrs from now? If she doesn’t volunteer the money, my... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
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answered on Feb 27, 2024

This answer is based on Florida law. It sounds like you are asking about an inheritance. The first thing to do is read the documents (perhaps a will) that states what is supposed to happen with the property. If step mother brings papers to sign either read them carefully or tell her that you want... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: DOES SOMEONE WHO MOVED TO FLORIDA BUT ONLY HAS ASSETS IN PUERTO RICO NEED TO ABIDE BY FLORIDA INHERITANCE LAWS OR ONLY P
Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Feb 24, 2024

Generally, any assets and real estate in Florida will be handled in accordance with Florida Law and any assets in Puerto Rico will be handled in accordance with Puerto Laws if a probate ever becomes necessary at some point. The main probate will be done in the state where the person is a resident... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: If I have a living revocable trust and my husband passed away and I'm on the warranty deed as as well as a quit claim

I have a warranty deed with my name and my husband's name on it he has passed then I also have a living trust revocable that has a quick claim deed in it to me with me and my husband and on another page of the special directive it says for the step kids that I may live here until I moved or... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Feb 14, 2024

I am very sorry for your loss on the passing of your husband, please accept my condolences for you and your family at this difficult and sad time. You will need to speak with and consult with a Florida Probate Attorney, based on when the deeds were done and precisely what they say will have some... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: I am on the Warranty deed a and a quit claim deed in a revocable trust and the husband passes away do I have sole owner

Even though it says I may live here till I Die, Marry or move then it goes to his children or am I the sole owner because he quit claim deeded the property to me in the trust?

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Feb 14, 2024

You should definitely consult with an estate planning attorney to review the trust agreement and determine what your rights are and explain it to you. It sounds like you are a trust beneficiary for life, but there will be specific terms in the trust agreement that determine what rights you have as... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: I am on the Warranty deed a and a quit claim deed in a revocable trust and the husband passes away do I have sole owner

Even though it says I may live here till I Die, Marry or move then it goes to his children or am I the sole owner because he quit claim deeded the property to me in the trust?

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Feb 13, 2024

You would have to have both the Trust and the Deed reviewed by an estate planning/probate attorney. Generally, it sounds like you only have a life estate, that said, unless you signed a pre or post-nuptial agreement, you would have substantial rights related to your Homestead Property no matter... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: My grandfather had a deed done in his trust's name. Is it too late too record it now that he has passed?

My Mom is the trustee and recipient of the contents of the trust. I am trying to help her get that deed recorded so the property can be put into her name.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 9, 2024

It is not too late to record a deed even after the grantor, in this case, your grandfather, has passed away, especially if the deed was executed (signed and notarized) properly while he was alive. Since your mother is the trustee and beneficiary of the trust, she has the authority to record the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: If someone listed in a Will has passed, does their portion go to their son or split between the remaining beficiaries.

My Grandfather recently passed, my grandmother several years ago. I'm helping my father with this question. My father and his 4 brothers are listed in the Will as splitting everything equally. One of his brothers passed before my grandmother passed but the Will was never updated. Should my... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Feb 5, 2024

I am sorry for your loss on the passing of your grandfather, please accept my condolences. You will have to review the Will in order to determine what happens to the share, it can go either way based on how the Will was drafted. Often, the share goes to the children of the deceased beneficiary... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: My question is about will versus trust estate planning. Trust planning is much more expensive than a will.

But trusts do help avoid probate costs. If nearly all my assets (property, bank/retirement accounts) are already set to beneficiaries I chose - except my car, do I really need a costly trust instead of a less costly will? Is a trust really for a person that has assets that are not already secured... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Feb 4, 2024

A Trust and related estate planning allows you to indeed avoid probate and save a substantial amount of time, headaches and money if a probate is eventually needed. Even if you have a Trust and you do not timely draft, execute and update it you may find yourself in probate anyway. In addition, I... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: My grandmother died recently, and she had several rental properties. A tenant moved out, what do I put on the new lease?

The probate process has not started yet (it's in the works). My father is currently the executor of the trust. Seeing as the property is still technically in her name, what would I put on the lease? I'm hoping to get this property rented out ASAP because I'm paying for it out of... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 2, 2024

In this situation, since the probate process has not yet begun and the property is still technically in your grandmother's name, you should proceed with caution. It's best to consult with your father, the executor of the trust, to determine the appropriate course of action. In the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: My grandmother died recently, and she had several rental properties. A tenant moved out, what do I put on the new lease?

The probate process has not started yet (it's in the works). My father is currently the executor of the trust. Seeing as the property is still technically in her name, what would I put on the lease? I'm hoping to get this property rented out ASAP because I'm paying for it out of... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Feb 3, 2024

You should speak with the Trustee of the Trust and review the deed of the property, if the property is already in the Trust, the Trustee should be handling this lease, if the property is outside of the Trust, it should be handled by the Personal Representative (Executor) in the probate, if the deed... View More

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