Articles Posted in Probate

I. Executive Summary Florida probate attorney fees depend on whether the proceeding is Summary Administration – usually the quickest and least expensive – or Formal Administration. Many factors will enter into the fees, including whether the probate is contested, is subject to estate and other taxes, involves the sale of real estate, and requires advice…

By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Miami Probate Attorney Introduction The commencement of a Florida guardianship is typically used in two situations – either when a person may be incapacitated or when a minor receives assets in excess of $15,000. If a guardianship is sought because someone may be incapacitated, then typically the court sets two…

By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Probate Attorney Introduction Most states have streamlined probate procedures for smaller estates. Florida’s procedure is called Summary Administration and can be used to expedite administration of estates not exceeding $75,000 or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years. F.S. 735.201(2). It avoids the appointment of a…

By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Miami Probate Attorney Executive Summary Probate is the legal process for transferring assets owned by decedent according to the decedent’s will or Florida intestate law to his or her beneficiaries after all legitimate creditors of the estate have been paid. The Personal Representative (in other states this role is called…

It “appears” the President will agree to a future estate tax with a $5 million exemption and a 35% tax rate, although he is getting tremendous resistance from his own party. We need to wait and see how this shakes out. Regardless of your political affiliation, note that this agreed exemption and rate are only…

By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Trust Attorney Who is Impacted by This Legislation, F.S. § 732.401? The surviving spouse of a decedent when the decedent owned homestead property which was not properly devised or cannot be devised is impacted by this legislation. However, all Florida probate attorneys need to know the implications of the legislation…