Broward County Probate Lawyer

Probate is the court-supervised process of administering a deceased person’s estate (assets and debts). This involves identifying and gathering assets, paying debts, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries according to a will or Florida law (intestacy).

Key Steps in Florida Probate:

1. Determine Probate Necessity: Not all assets require probate. We’ll help you understand if probate is necessary for your specific situation.
2. Formal vs. Summary Administration: Florida offers two main probate tracks: formal administration for complex estates and summary administration for simpler ones. We’ll guide you towards the right path.
3. Appointing a Personal Representative: This individual manages the estate, following legal requirements and the decedent’s wishes. We’ll explain the selection process and responsibilities.
4. Inventorying the Estate: Identifying and valuing all assets is crucial. We’ll provide resources and guidance for this step.
5. Notifying Creditors and Heirs: Creditors have claims on the estate, and beneficiaries deserve to be informed.We’ll explain the notification process.
6. Paying Debts and Taxes: Estate debts and taxes must be settled before distribution. We’ll clarify this process and potential tax implications.
7. Distributing Assets: Finally, assets are distributed to beneficiaries according to the will or intestacy laws. We’ll ensure this adheres to legal requirements.