The Gantt Legacy Law Firm has been helping families with their probate needs for over several years. We know the ins and outs of probate, and we want to help you too. Here are our top 10 tips for handling probate in Florida:
1. Know the deadlines.
There are strict deadlines that must be followed in order to probate an estate in Florida. If you miss a deadline, it can be very costly to try and fix the issue.
2. Hire an experienced attorney.
Probate can be a complex process, and having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference. At The Gantt Legacy Law Firm, we have several years of experience helping families through probate.
3. Gather all the necessary documents.
In order to probate an estate, you will need certain documents, including the decedent’s death certificate, will (if there is one), and a list of the decedent’s assets and debts.
4. Notify the appropriate parties.
Once you have gathered all of the necessary documents, you will need to notify the appropriate parties of the death and of your intention to probate the estate, including any creditors that may be owed money by the estate.
5. File the necessary paperwork with the court.
After you have notified all of the appropriate parties, you will need to file the necessary paperwork with the court in order to begin the probate process.
6. Have patience.
Probate can be a long and frustrating process, but it is important to be patient and to follow all of the steps outlined by the court.
7. Be prepared for disagreements.
Unfortunately, probate often leads to disagreements among family members or beneficiaries. It is important to be prepared for these disagreements and to have an experienced attorney on your side who can help resolve them.
8. Understand your role as executor or administrator.
If you have been named executor or administrator of an estate, it is important that you understand your role and responsibilities in that capacity. At The Gantt Legacy Law Firm, we can help you understand what is expected of you and how to best carry out your duties.
9. Make sure all taxes are paid.
One of the most important responsibilities of an executor or administrator is to make sure that all taxes owed by the estate are paid before any assets are distributed to beneficiaries This includes both state and federal taxes Failure to pay taxes can result in penalties for both the executor/administrator and for the estate itself
10. Follow Florida law.
It is important to follow all Florida laws when handling a probate matter There are many different laws that govern probate, including laws regarding wills, trusts, taxes, creditors’ rights, and more An experienced attorney can help ensure that you are following all applicable laws
The Gantt Legacy Law Firm has been helping families with their probate needs for several years, so we know a thing or two about what it takes to successfully navigate through this process! These are just some of our top tips – if you need help with anything else related to probate in Florida, don’t hesitate to give us a call today!