Florida Estate Administration Attorney
Estate Administration Attorney Florida
When someone passes away, the probate process begins. This is a court-supervised proceeding which identifies, gathers, and distributes the assets of the deceased. The assets are first used to pay the expenses associated with probate, and then any outstanding debts are paid to creditors. Then, the remainder of the assets are distributed to beneficiaries as named in the will, or if there is no will, then based on state law. If you need assistance with estate administration, don’t hesitate to reach out to Christine at Sahyers Firm LLC today. Our Florida estate administration attorney understands that you may be grieving and in need of guidance as you navigate the probate process. She is available to speak with you today if you are ready for support.
What Assets Don’t Go Through Probate
As Christine explains, there are certain assets that do not have to go through probate, and this is primarily property that is held in joint tenancy. Homes, cars, and bank accounts that are shared by a married couple or by two people in the rights of survivorship are not required to have these assets go through probate. Bank accounts, life insurance policies, and retirement accounts that have a designated beneficiary may also not have to go through probate. Finally, assets that are held within a living trust are not mandated to be probated either. Probate administration only applies to assets which are owned by the deceased in their sole name at the time of death.
What The Personal Representative Does
A personal representative is either designated by the decadent in the will or is appointed by the court. This representative may also be referred to as an administrator or executor. They are in charge of safeguarding the assets of the decadent. They must perform various tasks and always work for the best interest of the deceased’s legacy. Examples of tasks that a personal representative may have to perform include publishing a notice to creditors in the local newspaper, locating creditors, handling claims against the estate, paying outstanding dues and taxes, and transferring assets to rightful beneficiaries, among other duties. If you have been appointed as personal representative and need assistance as you fulfill your duties and close the estate, then contact our dedicated estate administration lawyer right away to get started.
Sahyers Firm LLC
After a person dies, they have a legacy in the form of assets that must be distributed formally and with consideration for state law. If you have questions about this process, contact Christine at Sahyers Firm LLC as soon as you can to begin. Our FL estate administration lawyer understands that you may be overwhelmed at the process to be had. It can be difficult to navigate alone without support from an attorney who is experienced in estate administration, probate, and other related matters. Please let us guide you so that no mistakes are made when taking care of the decedent’s estate. We are ready to be there for you and your family. Contact us today for a consultation appointment.