Estate Planning

Florida Probate, Estate and Trust Administration

What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process through which the court determines, upon your death, that your debts are paid and your assets are distributed either according to your will or by state law.  Probate can be costly and time consuming, sometimes a year or more before your assets will be distributed according to your wishes.  It is a public process, so any interested party can see what assets you owned and allows for potential heirs to contest your will.  It takes the control out of the family’s hands and places it into the court’s. 

Is there ever a situation where Probate is preferred?
Most people do not have too many complicated issues with their desires for the distribution of their property.  If the total amount of your assets upon your death are less than $75,000, your estate will be entitled to a summary administration to help reduce the time and cost of the distribution.  If you know your family is one in which a dispute is likely to occur, then the court’s supervision might be preferable to ensure an equitable result.

Contact our office in Orlando or call 407-447-0601 to learn about how we can help with the administration of a loved one's estate.