Land O’Lakes Probate Lawyer
Condolences are in order if you recently lost someone close to you and are trying to work through difficult times. However, you may already realize that there are legal issues that arise from a loved one’s death. The Florida Probate Code includes numerous provisions on the proceedings and requirements, but estate administration can be challenging for anyone without a background in law. Even when the deceased individual left a will, you might not know where to begin with carrying out the terms. Intestate estates and disputes over the probate process can further complicate matters.
Instead of trying to tackle the complexities yourself, count on our team at The Law Office of Laurie R. Chane to shoulder the legal burdens of estate administration. We have extensive experience helping our clients navigate the process, so please contact us to learn how we can help. You can set up a consultation with a Land O’Lakes probate lawyer to discuss the specifics, while a summary of the relevant laws may also be useful.
Overview of the Probate Process in Florida
Estate administration is essentially the legal process for winding up a deceased person’s final affairs, whether according to the decedent’s will OR Florida law on intestate estates. Though the details vary, Pasco County probate administration will typically include the following tasks:
- Identifying, itemizing, and collecting estate assets;
- Researching and notifying creditors who may have a claim against the deceased person’s estate;
- Paying authorized claims, taxes, fees, and expenses;
- Collecting rents and income owed to the estate;
- Distributing estate assets as designated by will or laws on intestate succession; and
- Preparing the final accounting, tax returns, and other documents to finalize estate administration.
Legal Help with the Probate Process
The above description of estate administration belies how complex the proceedings can be in a real-life scenario. The potential for disputes arises from the earliest stages of filing a probate case, and conflicts are common throughout the process. The Law Office of Laurie R. Chane is prepared to protect your interests in estate litigation regarding:
- Whether the will is invalid on the grounds of incapacity, duress, fraud, or coercion;
- Who should be appointed as personal representative if there is no will;
- Disputed claims by creditors;
- Breach of fiduciary duty by the executor or personal representative;
- The identity of distant relatives;
- Which heirs or beneficiaries should receive specific assets; and
- Many others.
Our Land O’Lakes probate lawyers assist with the basics of estate administration, and we represent executors, personal representatives, heirs, and beneficiaries. We aim to make the process as smooth as possible, but we are ready to tackle disputes and enforce your rights through litigation as necessary.
Get Legal Advice from Knowledgeable Land O’Lakes Probate Lawyer
To learn more about how our team can help guide you through estate administration in Florida, please contact The Law Office of Laurie R. Chane. You can call 352-567-0055 or visit our website to schedule a consultation with a probate attorney. Once we learn more about your situation, we will determine next steps.
