Manhasset, NY asked in Estate Planning for Florida

Q: Under Florida estate law can a spouses Will list assets to biological children from a previous marriage?

This question would be best answered by a Florida estate attorney and is referring to my mom and her now deceased husband who were both on their second marriage and both had children from a previous marriage. When he died he made a list of almost all the household furnishings stating those furnishings would go to his children from another marriage. The list was made without my mom knowing and there was no prenuptial agreement (that I know of). My mom was told by a lawyer in florida that this list is legally binding but I find that hard to believe so I'm checking with this website. The house is under a trust that dictates upon my moms death or if she moves 50% of the value goes to my mom and 50% to his biological children.

Thanks, Robert

Thanks, Robert

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Seril L Grossfeld
Seril L Grossfeld
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL

A: That's the purpose of a will, to leave assets to people of your choosing that would not necessarily be entitled to those assets if there was not a will. If the furnishings are in a house where your mother resides there might be some question of ownership only by your father. If the assets were jointly owned or owned by your mother there would be the question of whether he made a valid transfer of those assets.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.