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

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

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

As the Personal Representative you are free to engage any attorney you desire to assist you with the probate process. I would express my concerns first to your current and then, if necessary, you can hire a replacement attorney. You must have an attorney assist you through this legal process.

One time in my 28 year career I did recommend that my PR client retain a separate attorney to represent them in their capacity as an heir for the limited purpose of explaining how a life estate worked, because they did not agree with my explanation and thought that I was somehow working on behalf... View More

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

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

Jacqueline Alicia Salcines 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

Maybe, probably not. If the property is in your sister's name alone, then some version of probate will be required and for this you will need a probate attorney. Your starting point is to have the current deed reviewed to see if there are any survivorship interests or other joint ownership... View More

Anthony Pinizzotto Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 14, 2024

I am very sorry for your loss. If title to the property was in your sister's name alone, then a probate would be required in order to sell the property. If your sister was not married and did not leave minor children, then the property would pass to the beneficiaries under her will or to her... View More

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

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... View More

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

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

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

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

Given the situation you're describing, here are some key points to consider:

Intestate Succession: Since your mother died without a will, her estate would typically be distributed according to Florida's intestate succession laws. If there's no surviving spouse, the estate... View More

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

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

You generally don't have to give your sister money from the utility deposit checks, especially if she wasn't part of the household. Since the first check was made out to you, it's yours. The second check, made out to you and your father, might be considered part of his estate, so it... View More

If the items in question belong to you personally, your stepfather should not withhold them from you.

You have the right to request the immediate return of your personal property. For items that belonged to your mother and were family heirlooms, the distribution depends on whether she left... View More