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Florida Estate Planning Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for Florida on
Q: Florida. special needs trust signed in 1990 I have never been evaluated by Social Security or certified DISALED?

Having some spinal issues and doing this on a microphone. My relationship with my two sisters as trustees is deteriorating in the prognosis is not good and the forecast is cloudy. So I have several issues. They have a lot of money. They really do not want to be bothered with this. This is a... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Jan 6, 2025

You would need to have the Trust reviewed by an estate planning and probate attorney, and you would want to make sure that the Trust is addressing your needs per the terms of the Trust, furthermore, the Trustees have affirmative duties and obligations to carry out the wishes of your father as... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: My friend has inherited stock from his mother. Can I take assignment to help him get these? Please see the more info

I live in Florida.I have a friend in his 60's.His mother passed away and now he is in a position to receive half of the shares in a single large grocery chain company.There is only his brother and himself that this would be split between.I don't have all the details yet, but I believe... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jan 3, 2025

Assuming the mother was a resident of Florida when she died, a Florida probate case probably must first be filed. He, of course, would need an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida.

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Does a person who has the Power of attorney over someone have the power to change that person will and deeds?
Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Dec 31, 2024

It depends on the language in the Power of Attorney. You should consult with a lawyer who handles probate and real estate. If the person with the POA changes the will and deed to benefit themself at the exclusion of others it might be subject to challenge.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Florida on
Q: The house and property I have lived in for15 years has 3 years delinquent taxes. It's in my dad's name and he paid taxes

Never asked me to pay taxes. He is now in assisted living and doesn't have access to bank accounts. The property is going to be sold on Jan. 13, 2025,unless the taxes are paid. Just found this out.

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Jan 2, 2025

It is important that the taxes be paid before the date of the tax sale. Check the tax collector's website to see all the instructions for paying the taxes so close to a tax sale deadline. Anyone can pay the taxes, so it is okay for you to be the one to pay them. Typically, where there is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: How do you receive a copy of your deceased parents will and trust?

My sister will not execute our parents will.

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Dec 27, 2024

If your parents are deceased and this is in Florida then the Will must be submitted to the clerk of the court in the county where they lived within 10 days of death per Florida Statute (nobody holds you to that deadline), but the Will must be submitted, you can then get a copy of it from the clerk.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: My dad died a while ago. I saw his will and I to realized that's not his signature on it. It's forged, what do I do
Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Dec 22, 2024

The will should have the signatures of witnesses and of a notary public. You can ask those people what they recall. The notary may have a journal in which the details of the notarization might be recorded. If you want to dispute the will in court, your attorney may well want to take depositions... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: What would be the process to correct a deed after a person has passed?

My grandfather had a deed done to transfer a property to his trust. It was recorded after he passed and it now shows in error with the proprety appraiser because the description isnt complete. What would be the easiest way to get it fixed? My Mom is trustee and needs to close out the trust.

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Dec 19, 2024

Since it is an invalid deed, nothing was conveyed, it is likely that some version of probate is going to be required in order to transfer the property. You will need to speak with and work with a probate attorney. If the error is somewhat minimal or can be attributed to being a scrivener's... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: Can a Trustee change assets in the Appendix A of a Family Revocable Trust with out a lawyer?

We have moved and the listed assets have changed.

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Dec 20, 2024

Listing assets on the Schedule A with the exception of listing "all of my items of tangible personal property" does not in fact fund the trust with anything. It is essentially there to show there is $10.00 in trust at the beginning so that the trust is not empty. The trust is actually... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: What type of lawyer should I look for (real estate, probate, business, etc) to handle a promissory estoppel case?

It is between an individual and his mother regarding a promise she made to him (which was put in a trust). He put about $50,000 into the property that he was told would be his and then she changed her mind and changed her trust to eliminate him from the trust completely.

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Dec 4, 2024

If the mother is alive then consult with a real estate attorney who litigates. If not, speak to a probate attorney.

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Florida on
Q: i added my son to my home deed about 10 years ago

i would like to remove him ...can it be done?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Nov 22, 2024

Removing him from the deed will require his signatures. This is exactly why I advise my clients never to “add” children to their deeds. This is a classic do-it-yourself estate planning mistake that might conceivably cost you way more than you would have spent on proper estate planning. If your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: Does the personal rep. have to give the widow 30% if the rep. is the beneficiary?

10% widow 90% personal representative from a bank account

Alina Gonzalez-Dockery
Alina Gonzalez-Dockery
answered on Dec 3, 2024

Florida’s elective share law provides a safety net for a surviving spouse who has been cut out of the deceased spouse’s will or left a very small portion of the estate.The elective share is a percentage of the deceased’s estate that the surviving spouse may claim, regardless of the terms of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: Can a FL Corporate fiduciary serve in GA under to GA Code § 53-12-321? If so, what are the requirements?

I recently moved from FL to GA. My will and trust name a Fl Trust Company as personal representative and trustee.

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Oct 28, 2024

This is a Georgia Corporate Law question. Please pose it to Georgia lawyers who practice corporate law.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: How to get reimburse for estate related expenses after Summary Administration order?

Florida. Will directs all estate related expenses to come from estate, not from me alone (I am one of two beneficiaries and the PR named in the will). I paid 100% of all estate-related expenses totaling around $50k and my sibling (the other beneficiary) paid nothing. The only "asset" in... View More

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Oct 22, 2024

You can ask the closing agent to include all the estate expenses to be put on the closing statement when the house is sold, and if your sibling doesn't sign the closing statement, then the closing cannot take place. That is your leverage. The closing statement is the last opportunity for you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Civil Litigation and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: Can Trustee of family trust act as pro-se in law suit against tenant for unpaid rent/damages, without lawyer?

I filed eviction of tenant, as trustee of the family living trust. I was told I could do the simple eviction as a trustee of the family living trust, but I am not allowed, as pro se, to file for an additional complaint demanding unpaid back rent and damages. It said I need a lawyer to do the... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 18, 2024

Apparently you have already filed for possession and went to Court. The Judge is not going to let you sue for monies. Right or wrong, you are already in the middle of it. Get a Judgment for Possession at the next Court date, and get that occupant out of the Trust's property. I doubt... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: can i sell the land of a deceased relative in florida

I have two siblings and my sister died owning land. I want to sell it.

Jacqueline Alicia Salcines
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answered on Oct 13, 2024

Have an attorney review the deed. That way we can see who is on there as title holder and who would need to sign in order to sell the property. If another sibling does not want to sell, then it will turn into a Partition action and court forced sale but you can still use your own realtor, etc.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: Can my Florida lawyer be my executioner for a will if I become a RI resident?
Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Oct 2, 2024

This is a question that would need to be answered by a Rhode Island attorney as it is the law of the jurisdiction where the testator resides at time of death that would be applied. As an example, Florida law states that a personal representative (executor) must either be related by blood or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: How can I be reimbursed for estate and inherited property-related expenses if probate has been closed?

I am the named PR/executor in a will. There are two beneficiaries, myself and a sibling. The terms of the will are that everything is to be split 50/50 and that all estate-related and inherited property-related expenses are to be paid by the estate, not by me only. The will was admitted to probate... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 2, 2024

If you've incurred expenses related to the estate and inherited property after probate has been closed, there are pathways to seek reimbursement, either through reopening the probate or directly addressing the division of assets.

If there are discovered assets or if further...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: If a personal representative in Florida misappropriated funds/commits fraud against disabled beneficiary

We're removing PR and resending Letters of Administration due violations under 733.609. Beneficiaries are close blood related. One is permanently disabled. Is there a criminal code for defrauding - intentionally & knowingly, a disabled adult. Under 733.609 PR has violated every aspect of... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Oct 1, 2024

The PR is required to be represented by an attorney if there is more than one beneficiary to a Will. Since there are more than one beneficiary, the PR is required to have an attorney. First, why have not mentioned what conversations you've had with the PR's attorney? Second, chapter 733... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: I'm beneficiary of Will. Since Will drawn my nephew's name added to mother accts. If he's joint on acct what happens?

Not TOD but joint owner of acct.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Sep 23, 2024

It sounds like no assets will be available to probate once mother dies. Nephew is already the owner. Preparing for a will contest might be advisable, but at least to talk to Mother to explain what she has done so that Will has no effect.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: I'm beneficiary in mother's Will. She has since added nephew name to her accts. What happens now?

I don't know if he's TOD or as joint owner.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 23, 2024

Any account that is payable on death is not a part of the probate estate and will not be inherited or passed through to beneficiaries of a will.

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