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Florida Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
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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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

Lauren Nagel Richardson
Lauren Nagel Richardson
answered on Oct 2, 2024

If the summary administration is closed and the order determining homestead status or other order distributing the property out of the estate was already signed by the judge (meaning that the real property is no longer in the estate), and the real property was the only asset, it does not make sense... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: I found out my neighbor's mobile home is partially in my property. What settlement options can I offer my neighbor?

I discovered that my neighbor's mobile home, well and driveway (all installed in 2022) is on my property from a survey. I got my property without title insurance in 2024, I am trying to sell this property. I talked to my neighbor, and they don't want to move the mobile home but are... View More

Fernando A. Prego
Fernando A. Prego
answered on Sep 26, 2024

Under Florida law, the encroachment of your neighbor's mobile home, well, and driveway on your property raises several legal concerns, particularly as it relates to your ability to sell the property. A potential buyer's survey during the due diligence period will almost certainly reveal... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: My brother and his adult daughter were living in a 55 and over condo when he passed away. . Can she be evicted

The condo has no leans or mortgages, taxes are paid yearly, and condo fees paid monthly. She is his beneficiary

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Sep 25, 2024

I am sorry for your loss.

Very possibly. Hopefully your brother had a Will or trust; if so either the PR or successor Trustee needs to move quickly. "55 and over" communities are not just advertising words; they are either deed restrictions or by-laws which the owner agrees to...
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3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: My brother and his adult daughter were living in a 55 and over condo when he passed away. . Can she be evicted

The condo has no leans or mortgages, taxes are paid yearly, and condo fees paid monthly. She is his beneficiary

Fernando A. Prego
Fernando A. Prego
answered on Sep 26, 2024

May your brother rest in eternal peace. I am very sorry for your loss. The ability for your brother's adult daughter to remain in the condo likely depends on the specific terms of the condominium association's governing documents, such as the Declaration of Condominium, the Bylaws, and... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: My brother and his adult daughter were living in a 55 and over condo when he passed away. . Can she be evicted

The condo has no leans or mortgages, taxes are paid yearly, and condo fees paid monthly. She is his beneficiary

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Sep 26, 2024

I am very sorry for your loss on the passing of your brother, please accept my condolences for you and your family at this sad and difficult time. If the property did not transfer via deed upon death, then it is likely that some version of probate will be needed and consulting with a probate... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: What are my protections when selling my portion of parents estate to my sibling? He will pay me over 7 year period.

I am concerned about what happens if he dies or sells the home before the 7 years of payments are made.

The estate is in Georgia. I live in Florida and the brother and a sister live in Georgia.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 18, 2024

In order to adequately protect yourself, you will need to secure the repayment against the property through a promissory note and security deed. It is the only legal way to ensure you are paid as scheduled. This will not only give you the ability to foreclose on the property if not paid as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Selling an inherited property. How is the executor supposed to be reimbursed for estate expenses?

I am the personal representative named in the will. The will was admitted to probate and a summary administration order was entered in 2023. There was never anything in the "estate" - except the house, which is a homestead property. The reason probate was required was to have the court... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 17, 2024

As the executor (personal representative) of an estate, you're entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred in managing the estate, including maintaining and selling the homestead, if the will allows you to be compensated. Here's how you can proceed:

Document all...
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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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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

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 14, 2024

If the payee of a mortgage dies, the mortgage is still enforceable. The personal representative of the estate has the right to collect the mortgage payments, foreclose on the mortgage, and otherwise take actions that they deceased would have been able to take until such times as the estate is... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: I bought a property in an older established neighborhood with a fence around it. I had a realtor. There is a main house

And a mother in law apt in back. Aka a converted garage. After we purchased the property we found out they had separated the property into two parcels and only sold us the front house. Now both parcels are non-compliant. What can we do?

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

You realized that you were only buying the front house but didn't know that that house was in violation? Review your paperwork to see if the seller warranted the property to not be in violation of code. You also may have a viable claim against your realtor.

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law and Family Law for Florida on
Q: My wife and I are getting a divorce she's making me high a second mortgage that's for her in what I agreef to pay her.
Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Sep 7, 2024

I would not be doing anything without a conversation with a family law/divorce attorney, that said, I would not give her anything until and unless you get it in writing that this is a post-nuptial complete agreement or similar, last thing you want is to pay out per agreement and find out soon... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: What is the process for transferring property in Florida? Thank you.

I appreciate advice about the transfer of a property. I was told a warranty deed is needed. I think it may be a new deed that is being prepared. How can I tell if it is done correctly? Thank you so much.

Cesar Mejia Duenas
Cesar Mejia Duenas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 2, 2024

Transfer of property in Florida does not need to occur via Warranty Deed. In order to transfer property in Florida, there are three main types of deeds: i. Warranty Deed, ii. Special Warranty Deed, and iii. Quitclaim Deed.

i. Warranty Deed: Provides the highest level of protection,...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Florida on
Q: Sister is living in mom’s (deceased) home and she wants 2 other siblings that don’t live ther to pay 1/3 of the mortgage

My sister, her children and their father live in the home that our mother (deceased) owned. My sister wants our brother and I to pay 1/3 of the mortgage even though we don’t live there. She also wants us to be equally responsible for any and all repairs. What is fair in this situation? Should we... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Aug 30, 2024

The home needs to potentially be probated, the most recent deed needs to be reviewed, but likely a probate related to the home needs to be done. Anyone living in the home should be paying FMV rent and paying the expenses while living there, the potential taxes could be split into 1/3. Ultimately... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Am I to assume a debt of $54k for solar panels that were not disclosed when I put an offer on the property?

I am in the mist of buying a house Cash in Polk County, FL. The house is $322k. I am to close on the property Sep. 2nd. However, 4 days ago, I was made aware that the house has solar panels that are leased to own. The balance remaining is $54k to be paid at $143.66 a month. The realtors on both... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Aug 21, 2024

It appears that the prospect of this solar company having the authority to place a lien on your house was a material fact that the seller had a legal duty to inform you about. If a seller fails to disclose a material fact during contract negotiations, then the buyer can sue for recision. This is... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Am I to assume a debt of $54k for solar panels that were not disclosed when I put an offer on the property?

I am in the mist of buying a house Cash in Polk County, FL. The house is $322k. I am to close on the property Sep. 2nd. However, 4 days ago, I was made aware that the house has solar panels that are leased to own. The balance remaining is $54k to be paid at $143.66 a month. The realtors on both... View More

Michelle Antoinette Smith
Michelle Antoinette Smith
answered on Aug 25, 2024

The solar panels constitute a lien on the property that should have been disclosed up front or showed up on the title/lien search. Your realtor should have put this provison in Section 20 of your contract: "seller shall close out any open, expired ,cancelled or revoked permits and satisfy... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: What happens to a mortgage after mortgagee has passed. Thank you

Thank you for reading my question. What happens when a mortgagee has passed? Is the mortgage paperwork redone so the beneficiary of the property becomes mortgagee, or can it be left as is, with the original mortgagee? Thank you for any advice.

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Aug 19, 2024

The death of the mortgagee doesn't really make any difference to the holder of the mortgage. As long as the payments are made on time, there should be no problem. If the mortgage note is not paid on time, the holder of the mortgage can foreclose.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Does warranty deed need signatures of both trustees? Thank you.

Thank you for reading my question. My father passed recently. His lawyer and I are both trustees for his Trust. I need to transfer his house into my name. Lawyer 1 is suggesting only I should sign the warranty deed. Lawyer 2 is stating we both have to sign, since we are both trustees. I appreciate... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 19, 2024

Read the Trust declaration as amended for requirements of transferring trust corpus. Probably best to have all Trustees execute the Deed. Hopefully the Deed to the Trustees gives them the power to convey without explanation. If not, the title may be clouded later.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: hello, i am co-owner of a home and piece of property in Citrus county. Can the co sell w/o my ok?

this is strictly a vacation home no one lives there fulltime. property was left to me and my brother in mothers will. brother died last year and his widow now wants to sell their interest in home/property. can i prevent this. thanks.

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

I am very sorry for your loss on the passing of your brother, please accept my condolences for you and your family. You would want to review the deed and the manner in which the property is held as a result of your mom passing and her probate. Depending on what happened in your mom's probate... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Owner of property died in 2021. He left me a gift letter for the "value if the house". There is a mortgage and + equity

No will, no probate filed. I was the deceased domestic partner. Two heirs apparent who signed affidavits that they don't want the property

No appraisal since 8 years ago.

I have been caretaking the property for the last 3 years.

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Sep 5, 2024

A copy of the letter and property deed would need to be reviewed, and some version of probate would need to be done, in addition since there is no Will, it would be an intestate estate and Florida Statutes would apply, it would have to be determined who has rights, likely any children first and... View More

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