Q: How long does it take to be appointed personal representative (executor) in Florida (Cape Canaveral)?
The will specifies one heir and same person to be personal representative (executor). Assets include a condo, bank accts and investment accts.
When can estate bank accts be created from the deceased's money to pay bills like utility bills, property taxes, condo fees etc?
When can can the heir/executor get reimbursed for money layed out (prior to being appointed) for funeral expenses, utility bills , condo fees, property taxes etc?
A: I'm sorry for your loss. Each county varies how long it takes the court to review the initial pleadings and appoint a personal representative. With the personal representative and the beneficiary being one and the same person, there will not be anyone else to give notice to, so once you have hired an attorney, the attorney has prepared the initial court pleadings and filed them, it may take between two to four weeks for the judge to sign the order appointing PR. Once the PR is appointed, then the PR uses a certified copy of the letters of administration signed by the judge, a death certificate, and a tax id number provided by your attorney to close the decedent's accounts and open an estate account. Once the estate account is opened, then reimbursements of out of pocket for estate related expenses can be made. There are many other steps after that, but that is a good summary of the beginning of the estate administration. Our office handles estates anywhere in Florida. We provide a free phone consultation and are very efficient with our time due to our many years of experience in probate matters. You are welcome to give me a call if you would like to discuss this case and get a fee estimate.
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