DAVID A. SILVERSTONE

 

FLORIDA PROBATE AND ESTATES LAWYER.

OUR PROMISE

The most important thing is to obtain positive results for each client at a reasonable cost. We offer affordable and efficient legal representation for all probate matters.

 

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Probate Litigation

Probate litigation is the legal process of challenging the transfer of a decedent’s estate. A relative or heir may challenge the contents of the person’s will, the appointment of the personal representative on behalf of the will, or the entire contents of the will.

Why do I need to open a probate estate if there is a Will?

A will is a statement of instructions from a decedent as to what is to be done with his assets when he or she dies.  The will must be filed with the court, and a probate estate opened in order to transfer the property to the persons named in the will.   

The same is not true of bank accounts, IRA’s, mutual funds, life insurance, trusts, or any asset which names a beneficiary payable at death.  These are all “probate alternatives”, needing nothing more than a death certificate, valid ID, and the completion of some paperwork in order to transfer assets at death.  These assets pass outside of probate, directly to the named beneficiaries.  If a person has only assets with beneficiaries, then there may be no reason to open a probate estate at all. 

Creditor’s claims in probate:

Probate includes not just passing property to decedents or heirs. The debts of the decedent must be taken care of.  Florida’s probate code includes very specific procedures for the claims of creditors. Taxes, mortgage payments, funeral bills, condominium fees, and other debts of the decedent all must be addressed.   

Generally all of the expenses and obligations of the probate estate must be taken care of before the heirs are entitled to their share of the property.  There are certain assets of the estate which are exempt property which the creditors cannot reach.  The most substantial form of exempt property is the decedent’s primary residence, known as exempt homestead.

What is the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act?

December 18th, 2019|0 Comments

What is the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act? Originally established in 1968, the UAGA has undergone multiple revisions, more specifically, they were in 2006 and 1987. The law's implementation followed on the heels of a very [...]

Tortious Interference in Florida Probate

December 18th, 2019|0 Comments

Tortious Interference in Florida Probate Tortious interference with regards to inheritance law is one of the most important classifications to keep in your back pocket when enduring a FL probate case. It occurs if one [...]

Undue Influence and How it Occurs

December 16th, 2019|0 Comments

Understanding Undue Influence and How it Occurs If there is an existing relationship between two people, and one of them uses that as leverage to influence the other’s decisions, then that is considered undue influence. [...]

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