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Florida Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: I received a "Notice of Entry" from the court in Missouri after my sisters passing, and I don't know what to do with it?

The notice states: "You are hearby notified that the court entered the following: Certificate of Death and it has a Judge/Clerk note that reads "Court reviews notification of the death of the protectee. Conservator shall file final settlement within 90 days of the date of death of the... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 16, 2024

Hire a MO attorney to check the out the Conservatorship Court File, especially the Final Settlement. Probate may be needed now. You may or may not be a potential beneficiary of her Estate.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Hi. When my dad passed away his he didn’t leave a will and his only assets were life insurance and a small (see below)

Bank account left to me and my sister. I found out recently through the Florida Treasure Hunt that there are $300 in funds left to my father from a foreclosure of a home from about 15 years ago. Problem is, my sister had(s) power of attorney so her name is attached as owner of the funds. However, I... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jul 11, 2024

The power of attorney doesn't make her the owner of the money; but it's probably the reason she is named as the "owner". You should be able to get your share of the money through what is called "Disposition without administration", pursuant to Florida Statute 735.304.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: what is a subpoena for production of documents from non-party mean? this is for a probate case for an estate.

the attorney handling the case wants phone records from 2 years ago. i am not associated with any parties on this case. i don't understand why or how i got involved.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 11, 2024

That is a subpoena duces tucem and it is Court issued. If you do not wish to comply, then hire a lawyer to file a motion to quash. Obviously you are not a party to the suit, but your records are wanted by one of the parties to use in Court.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: Should I get my own probate attorney?

My brother and I decided to go to probate together. But I am noticing that it seems the attorney is only representing him and not both of us since they sent me a waiver that seems to place everything in his hands. Our mother didn't want to leave him anything. She wanted to leave me what she... View More

Edwin Christian Cisneros
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answered on Jul 18, 2024

The attorney cannot represent you and your brother together unless you both sign a waiver waiving any conflict of interests. Although you seem to say that you and your brother decided to enter the probate together, it seems that he is being appointed personal representative and the attorney is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: I was left a bequest, and I'm notified of a petition to authorize compromise of claim of someone. Do I have to respond?

This Estate is in Pasco County, Florida.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 10, 2024

You should respond if you disagree with the compromise of claim terms. Otherwise, you do not need to respond. They will become effective if there are no objections filed.

Schedule a free consultation to make sure your interest in the estate is protected.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: In Florida, do you have to make payments on house mortgage while it’s in probate?

No will, three heirs, in Florida, mortgage on home, in probate, do you have to make payments on house mortgage while it’s in probate?

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 8, 2024

Yes, the mortgage must be paid at all times or the property will be placed into foreclosure. If the estate does not have money to pay the mortgage and a foreclosure is filed, you will need to get an answer filed to the foreclosure so that you will have enough time to sell the property.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: Can the executor who was appointed by the heirs as there was no will for an estate,

Can the executor who was appointed by the heirs as there was no will for an estate, not show bank documents, and use bank funds to fix up a house instead of selling as is if the heirs aren’t in agreement of it? This is in florida

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 8, 2024

Here are some key points regarding the duties of a personal representative (the person in charge of handling the estate) and the rights of heirs in such situations:

Duties of the Personal Representative

Fiduciary Duty:

The personal representative has a fiduciary duty to act...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Probate and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: How do I evict my fathers live in girlfriend of 2-3 years since my father did not leave a will?

My father passed on May 26. He had recently sold a property so he should've had funds to cover his funeral cost. His live in girlfriend says that he only had $1 in the bank. The week before he died they argued about $150,000 he had at home that suddenly disappeared. My father had cameras at... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on May 30, 2024

In order to evict, you would have to file a probate petition and become his personal representative. You will need an attorney to do that. When you are appointed personal representative, you would be able to stop her from selling what remains of his property.

It would be very strange if...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Can u sell parent's home while they are in nursing home, father only on deed, was told one sibling on title as and/or?

Four birth children and two adopted from his second marriage, all in our 50s and 60s. While my father was alive I kept asking one sibling if my father had a will, legal documents and what he wanted to have done with his house. My sibling refused to answer me every time. My father was in a... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on May 28, 2024

It appears that your father transferred title to one of your siblings. If you can prove that your father didn't have the requisite mental capacity, you may be able to sue to set the deed aside or recover your intestate share of the estate.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Can a NYS POA sign a will on behalf of the principal?
Bonnie Lawston
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Bonnie Lawston
answered on May 17, 2024

No they cannot.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Is there a difference between 1)Waiver Comments: & consent - ( name of person) 2) Waiver Comments:/ (name )

My Grandmother had a revocable trust.

And the FIRST information I received a letter

waiver to sign . ( I can go into detail , if it Is private)

I question why only he the trustee and his kids only say waiver comment / (name )

And his sister and her kids say... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on May 1, 2024

The documents would need to be reviewed by an estate planning and probate attorney because there are a lot of things that can be waived and consented to and done so for various reasons. One of the big things is the naming of a new trustee and or accounting and so forth, in addition, there may a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: Explain "any person entitled to exempt property is required to a file a petition for determination of exempt property

My mother had property that was going to be auctioned off in 2021. She did a quit deed to me. She died in 2023. This property should not be part of the estate. Wondering if I have to declare this in any way. Is this exempt property?

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

You really need to work with and speak with a Florida Probate Attorney, but generally, the laws related to exempt property you can find in Florida Statute 732.402 (in part below):

(2) Exempt property shall consist of:

(a) Household furniture, furnishings, and appliances in the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: I was left a home that was in a trust, the home was sold.

My friends will in Florida left me her home which was in her trust. The trustee decided that she should be in a assisted living facility so the home was sold and the proceeds invested in the trust accounts. The trustee says that I am not entitled to the proceeds of the sale of the home and that... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Apr 18, 2024

Correct. You have no property rights to the house or to the proceeds of the sale. The Will becomes effective upon death. The trustee is free to dispose of the house to benefit the settler (your friend) during her/his lifetime.

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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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Florida on
Q: I'm struggling to find a suitable executor to name in my Will. I'm worried that the courts will not accept my choice.

I am a Florida resident. I'm drafting my will, no descendants, I'm married and my husband's family are the best qualified, but they don't live in Florida. I have nobody in Florida to choose, or blood relatives anywhere that would take the job. It's my understanding that I... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Apr 10, 2024

You can always name a financial institution like US Trust, B of A, Wells or Chase. I would reach out to them to see if they would consent to such an appointment.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: FL: Does selling a property through a Special Magistrate have rules/stipulations on what can be an acceptable offer?

I own a property 50% and an estate owns the other 50% - it is currently up for sale by a realtor but the listing agreement is about to expire and we have not yet sold the property. The executor of estate is threatening to file a Partition that would have a court appointed employee responsible for... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Apr 4, 2024

In a partition, the court will order the sale. The method of sale can be open market, sealed bid, or auction. If the parties cannot agree on a price to sell the property, the commissioner appointed by the court will set the price. It is likely though that the court would put the property up for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Florida on
Q: FLORIDA PROBATE INTESTATE Is the PR required to have state certified appraisals on real estate for INVENTORY LIST?

There are 4 real-estate properties plus the homestead house.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Apr 2, 2024

There is no legal requirement that the personal representative have appraisals done on the property at the time of filing the inventory unless ordered by the judge. However, if there is any doubt as to the value asserted in the inventory, you will want to file an object to the inventory asserting... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Florida on
Q: My sister sold my father’s property without giving me my share of the sale which is half according to his will.

My sister sold my father’s property for $24,500 without informing me. According to my father’s will (of which my sister has a copy) I’m supposed to get half of the sale. Dad’s attorney P.B. Howell Jr. passed away in 2006. Dad passed away in 2017. Since my father’s passing, I have been... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Mar 19, 2024

Your inquiry has a very mysterious set of facts. If a Will gives real property (house, condo, land, etc.) to two individuals to share 50/50, the Will must be probated - that is, a petition to open an estate in the Probate Court must be filed, resulting in a Court Order giving 50/50 ownership,... View More

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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

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