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Florida Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: I had an uncle die during the hospital COVID lock down of 2020. He wanted to amend his will over the phone with his PR.

This took place in Florida. The hospital was very strict on no visitors, and since it was a weekend, the PR was unable to contact the lawyer. This dictated change over the phone was unable to be signed / witnessed before he died. It was just a matter of hours from the phone call to his passing. Are... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Nov 16, 2024

Unfortunately, the change to the will would need to have the formalities necessary to create a legally binding will - the maker is of sound mind, the will is written or typed, the will is signed by the maker, and two witnesses sign the will in the presence of the maker. During COVID, a new law was... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: If PR withholds from benefits from fellow beneficiary, is it possible to get refund of fees paid for role as PR?

Mom passed in 2018, probate was closed shortly after. Yesterday, I received notice from state of Florida of unclaimed funds due from death benefit. Sibling, who was PR never provided me with death certificate, Mom's SS#, never provided any inventories and has refused to talk to me. Is it... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: If PR withholds from benefits from fellow beneficiary, is it possible to get refund of fees paid for role as PR?

Mom passed in 2018, probate was closed shortly after. Yesterday, I received notice from state of Florida of unclaimed funds due from death benefit. Sibling, who was PR never provided me with death certificate, Mom's SS#, never provided any inventories of safe deposit box and has refused to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: If the money is already in probate can someone sue for a car accident that the deceased had.
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Nov 8, 2024

Yes... You need a FL attorney to file suit and file the suit as a Claim Against The Estate. The Fiduciary for the Estate is a named defendant. You need witnesses as the Dead Man Statute will rule inadmissible some otherwise evidence.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Rights, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Florida on
Q: This is in regard to an Irrevocable Trust and my rights as a tenant at Trust held property in Florida.

I was caregiver for my Dad. He passed. Friend of family is Exec Trustee for the Trust my father had his estate pass into. I had a written agreement with my father to remain at his property in Florida for as long as I need. 40% of the property is mine according to Trust Dox, 40% my step brothers,... View More

Kimberly Grant
Kimberly Grant
answered on Nov 8, 2024

Let me preface my remarks by saying what you have described is outside my area of practice.

However, I believe you should act quickly to hire a lawyer who handles probate litigation in your area. Make sure he/she doesn't have any conflict of interest with the Executive Trustee. The...
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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Am PR for 3 years and feel need to make attorney change. Can I lawfully seek legal consult with others before firing?

Current attorney is non-responsive with same patterns for 3 years. I need help!!

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Nov 6, 2024

Yes, you will have to pay their fees and accumulated and fire them, the issue that arises is that you will also need to pay for the new attorney to get caught up and review matters and then work on progressing the probate onward from that point. You can always pay an attorney for a review and or... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: As I am PR for almost 3yrs for my late father’s estate, am I entitled to see all filings on docket for probate case?

I have requested all docs and information from estate attorney, that I hired, and still no response after 6 days. I see a hearing scheduled for tomorrow with no knowledge of purpose and see filings to judge from another heir that has no attorney.

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Oct 31, 2024

You should be getting every single document that is filed ongoing from your probate attorney if you are the named Personal Representative in the Probate Case approved as such by the judge. If you are not being updated and getting documents there is indeed a problem, this is the job of your probate... View More

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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.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: My mother passed away in 2011. I never had the deed transferred in my name. How do I get the deed in my name?

I have kept the property up and have paid all taxes and fees for the property during this time. I acquired it at the time from my 3 siblings.

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Oct 24, 2024

You will need to have the deed reviewed and you will need to see what interest if any your siblings transferred to you. If the property is in your mom's name still, some version of probate will be required, you will likely need a Florida Probate Attorney in order to accomplish this... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Am PR for my late father’s estate for almost 3 yrs now. Difficulties working with estate attorney. Options?

Should I have legal representation to deal with estate attorney as PR and as an heir to the estate?

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Oct 24, 2024

There should be no difficulties if you are the Estate PR for probate, the attorney works for you and the estate, if the attorney is not responsive you as the named PR, then it is likely that you should and need to get rid of the estate attorney, their duty is to represent you as the PR, if they are... View More

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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

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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Jacqueline Alicia Salcines pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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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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
PREMIUM
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 and Probate for Florida on
Q: Can attorney fees be paid at concluding of probate as part assets

Home we live and homestead so car and home exempt only title name change and account all need do so

MY MOM ASK ME BEXECUTOR FOR HER IM NO LAWYER BUT HAVE EXHAUSTED MY CASH TO PAY FOR CREMATED STILL NEED HAVE SERVICE BUT NEEDTO HANDLE HER PROBATE BCUZ DIDNT HAVE ENOUGH TIME GET DEALT WTH... View More

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Sep 16, 2024

If you or anyone else has gone out of pocket for final expenses such as funeral expenses or attorney fees, and there is no cash in the estate, yes, when the property is listed and there is an upcoming closing, the people who paid final expenses can be reimbursed on the closing statement as a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Contracts, Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: After a mortgage holder has died, what happens to the mortgage? Thank you.

If someone has extended and is holding a personal mortgage to another person for real estate, and receiving payment every month, and then they die, what happens to the mortgage? What is the process for that mortgage? Does it remain in the deceased persons name and still paid to them? Or Is the... View More

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

The mortgage stays with the property and the estate is responsible for it as part of probate, you to be sure should make a claim in the probate for what you are owed (statement of claim). In general, the estate will pay it, or the beneficiaries take it over and continue to pay it. Because this is a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: Complicated probate

I have a very complicated situation involving probate. My mother passed and left everything to my father and then he passed and left everything to my brother and I. They passed so soon that money kept coming into the estate. Long story short, the probates were in two separate states, mo and fl,... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Sep 12, 2024

Any assets or checks not probated will need to be probated in the state of the deceased, if this is Florida, you will need to speak with a Florida Probate Attorney and you will have to indeed open probate again with the help of an attorney. You will have to provide all the details to the attorney... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Insurance Bad Faith, Insurance Defense and Probate for Florida on
Q: i went through probate trying to get the documents from this case it says not available to view. can I get my records

i went through probate i am trying to get the documents from this case, it says not available to view. how can I get my

records.

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Sep 7, 2024

You will have to ask your attorney for copies, or you will have to contact the clerk of the court and request and pay for copies of the documents that you need.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Stepbrother claims there is no will. I have a copy. He says, its not a will. Could the copy hold up in probate court?
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 5, 2024

A copy of a will may be valid in probate court, but it can face challenges. If the original will is lost or destroyed, the person presenting the copy must prove its contents and explain why the original is unavailable. This often requires testimony or affidavits from witnesses who saw the original... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate, Small Claims and Social Security for Florida on
Q: My father passed away without a will and the state is holding his last $1,800. Seeking advice for retrieval.

Possibly pro bono help since that’s literally all there is left. Needing to leave the area since I can’t make ends meet without his added income

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 6, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your loss and the difficult situation you're facing. When someone passes away without a will in Florida, the process to retrieve their remaining assets, like your father's $1,800 held by the state, is known as intestate succession. Since the amount is... View More

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