Florida Estate Planning Lawyer Blog

In Florida many parents create Life Estate Deeds with their children in an attempt to avoid Probate on their homes. A Florida Life Estate Deed is a document which changes the ownership of a home or other piece of real estate. Essentially it creates a present interest and a future interest. A traditional life estate would say something like this, " I give my self and my spouse the right to live in the home as long as either of us shall live and the remainder to my child or children."

This example would create a future interest that vests now in the child or children and a present interest or right to use the home for the parents or grantor. While there are many potential problems like loss of tax basis, penalties and interest for failure to do gift tax returns, loss of eligibility for nursing home coverage because of the gift, the issue we are concerned about here is the risk that the home could be lost to the creditor of the child or one of the children.

Here is how it works. If the child or children do no live in the parents home, it is not their homestead, even if they do live in the home, it cannot be their homestead because they do not have a present interest in the home. Remember the child or children only have a future interest in the home. A creditor can levy against that asset just like any other. There are tables that determine the value of a future interest based on the age of the parents, their life expectancy, and the current interest rates.

So besides all the other risks associated with transferring a portion of your home to a child, you may in fact transfer nothing to your child if they end up having a creditor take the child's portion of the home.

There are ways of avoiding probate, reducing risks of loss to creditors, and receiving favorable tax status that may work in your situation but you should discuss these with a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer to see which options offer the best combination of benefits for your situation.

Will caveats: one more reason why hiring an attorney is a good idea for estate planning. Will caveats are, basically, objections to a will. For example, let's say Father dies, leaving his entire estate to his niece. That is awfully nice of him, but it probably won't make his two children happy. Taking it a step further, let's say Father had dementia when he died. Niece had moved in with him claiming she was going to take care of him, but the circumstances suggest she was just trying to dig for a little bit of gold from his estate. Now that Father has died, it looks like Niece's plan has worked. What are Father's children's options?

They can bring a will caveat action, effectively putting the will's probate on hold until the issues are resolved. Essentially, a caveat allows the interested party the ability to present evidence that something about the will makes it legally inoperable, and once a caveat is filed, the interested party must be allowed to present the evidence.

This was highlighted in a recent case, Rocca v. Boyansky, in which the court held that a party who made several late filings in court was nevertheless entitled to an evidentiary hearing before the will went to probate.

In Rocca, Mr. Rocca filed a caveat and was told he needed to respond 20 days after a certain date. He did not respond by that time, and the court granted him more time. He still didn't respond to the new date, but instead filed a motion about a week after the deadline had passed. The court, obviously frustrated, went ahead and brought the will to probate, concluding that Mr. Rocca had conceded his argument by failing to timely respond when twice asked to do so.

Fortunately for Mr. Rocca, the appellate court disagreed with the trial court. Instead of being a statute mandating certain time requirements, the statute governing caveats is not a statute of limitations. It is a statute that requires a hearing. The lower court was frustrated with Mr. Rocca, and rightfully so. He had delayed the court twice. Courts are busy, and it is never a good idea to do anything that would upset them. Yet, here was Mr. Rocca, doing probably the one thing that upsets courts most: making them reschedule. Nevertheless, the statute requires the court to reschedule in such a situation. The party filing the caveat has the right to a hearing.

At the end of the day, Mr. Rocca was able to present his evidence. But it should be noted that this case has been through litigation for several years, and it is unclear when it will stop. Had the decedent used an attorney when making his will, the caveat likely would not have been filed because the will would have been properly executed. It is very important that you contact an estate planning lawyer before taking any actions. Whether it's creating a will or challenging one in probate, a qualified attorney can help you get through the process.

Serving as a personal representative to an estate comes with many rights and obligations (see chapter 733 of the Florida Statutes). One of those duties, for example, involves contacting creditors of the deceased person and letting those creditors know of the death. Those creditors then have a period of time to file a claim to be paid. Whether or not they are ever paid depends upon a variety of factors, largely dependent upon the estate actually having money to pay them.

The personal representative's job can be somewhat difficult in notifying the creditors. Credit card loans and mortgage debts, for example, are pretty obvious: the bills probably come directly to the deceased person's home. The personal representative generally would not have a difficult time in figuring out whom to contact to let the lender know of the death.

Some lenders, however, are not so easy to find. This is an important distinction. If a lender is relatively easy to find, it is considered a "reasonably ascertainable" creditor and has two years after the estate's "notice of creditors" is published in order to file its claim. But, if the creditor is not "reasonably ascertainable," it has only three months to file its claim. In other words, if you're a creditor, you have some interest in being dubbed not "reasonably ascertainable," as it gives you more time to file your claim.

But whose job is it to define your status? Well, according to Florida's Second District Court of Appeals, the creditor essentially has the burden of proof. In Lubee v. Adams, a personal representative contacted several creditors to inform them of the death of a debtor. The personal representative did not contact Mr. Lubee. Mr. Lubee did not file a claim until about a year later, claiming he was a "reasonably ascertainable" creditor and the failure to receive notice of death meant he could file his claim any time within the two-year window afforded to other reasonably ascertainable creditors.

The personal representative had not identified Mr. Lubee as a "reasonably ascertainable" creditor; therefore, according to the court, Mr. Lubee had two options. Option A: Mr. Lubee could file his claim within the three-month window afforded to all creditors. Option B: Mr. Lubee could file for an extension of time within that two-year window. Option B would essentially provide Mr. Lubee with status as a "reasonably ascertainable" creditor, but the burden would be on Mr. Lubee to prove that status.

Mr. Lubee unfortunately did not choose either option, but instead simply tried to file a claim. Since the three months had passed, his claim was barred. Instead, he should have filed for an extension of time. While this would have required him to prove he was a "reasonably ascertainable" creditor, doing so would have been more beneficial than simply trying to file a claim that was destined to be thrown out.

Creditor's rights in probate proceedings can be complicated, as Mr. Lubee's case highlights. As always, a Jacksonville Probate Litigation Attorney can help answer any questions you have regarding probate procedures.

We often get asked questions as a Ponte Vedra Beach Probate Lawyer about inheriting debt. Just as you can inherit property and other assets from a Florida Estate, it is possible to inherit the debt that is associated with the property.

When the debt associated with an asset is worth more than the asset itself, one must decide whether they want the asset or not. Just because you inherit something does not automatically mean you are financially responsible for the debt which is associate with the property.

In Ponte Vedra Beach and around Florida we are finding that homes often are worth less than the amount of debt remaining on the mortgage. Just because you inherit the property does not make you responsible for the debt. You may abandon the property in the Florida Probate or decide not to even probate the property or estate until the item which are upside down are dealt with in legal proceedings such as a Florida Foreclosure Case.

The only way a beneficiary is responsible for the debt is if they were a co-signer on the debt or signed a new document which created a financial responsibility.

If you are dealing with a Florida Probate and there are assets which may not be worth what is owed, you should contact a Ponte Vedra Beach Probate Lawyer to discuss your options.

In Florida, a creditor may open a probate to reach assets of a decedent which were kept in a trust. The trustee of a decedent's trust is responsible to file a notice of trust with the probate court. If you are unsuccessful in having the trust pay the debts directly, you can open a probate on behalf of the estate, file your claims and are entitled to be reimbursed for the legal expenses related to the opening of the probate. See Florida Statute 736.05053. Remember that failure to file a claim within 2 years of the decedents death can waive your rights to file a claim in the probate court.

If you are owned money by a decedent and can not figure out how to file a claim, contact a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer to discuss your options.

After you die, you may have money, property, and other assets that were in your own name. Generally the assets which did not automatically become someone else's upon your death are part of your probate estate. Many individuals attempt to make sure that there are no assets in their probate estate when they die. This is often done with the help of a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer and can often include Florida Revocable Trust as well as reviewing ones beneficiary designations.

A will is where you would typically define who will be the personal representative or the Executor of your estate. While the many estate plans in Florida will not need a PR or executor, many individuals do not fully plan to deal with all of their assets and a Florida executor is needed. Generally the executor is someone in whom you can put the utmost trust. Your Executor will be the person in charge of making sure all your assets including your money are gathered, kept safe and distributed according to state law and your desires. There are certain people who will get paid before any distributions are made. Generally, the PR, court costs, and lawyers are paid first, then the burial expenses are paid (up to $6000 is a priority claim). After these bills are paid, the creditors are paid and only after the bills are paid, do the beneficiaries receive what is left from the probate estate.

Florida Statute 733.707 discusses the priority that claims are paid. In general they are paid in the following order:

Class 1 - Costs, expenses of administration, and compensation of the personal representative and their attorneys fees

Class 2 - Reasonable Funeral, interment, and grave marker expenses, whether paid by a guardian, the PR or any other person not to exceed $6000. (Additional costs are treated as an unsecured creditor.

Class 3 - Debts and taxes with preference under federal law.

Class 4 - Reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness of the decedent, including compensation of persons attending the decedent.

Class 5 - Family allowance.

Class 6 - Arrearage from court ordered child support.

Class 7 - Debts acquired after death by the continuation of the decedent's business, but only to the extent of the assets of that business.

Class 8 - All other claims including those founded on judgments or decrees rendered against the decedent during the decedent's lifetime, and any excess sums allowed in the Class 2 and Class 4 claims.

After paying the expenses in Class 1 - Class 7, if the estate is insufficient to pay all of the Class 8 claims, the Class 8 claims shall be pro-rated. If the probate estate does not have sufficient assets, any revocable trust's assets can be used.

How your Executor determines your heirs, should have been designated by you while you are alive through a will. The will is governed by Florida state law which mandates your Executor has a fiduciary duty to distribute your money and assets to whomever you state in your will should get the money or assets. The fiduciary duty is one of the highest duties one person can owe another. The fiduciary duty imparts on the person owing the duty (your Executor) the obligation of good faith, impartiality, honesty, and diligence. This basically means your Executor must act as if he or she was you making the decision while you were alive.

In Florida Probate is the legal process which occurs after death and is used to transfer assets and pay the debts of the person who is deceased. This process takes place in the Civil Court where the person lived at the time they passed away or in the county where the decedent owned property in Florida. Additionally, a probate proceeding is usually required in each state where the decedent owned property in their own name without a right of survivorship.

The basic steps to a Florida probate case are:

2. Filing a petition in the Probate Court


3. Heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors are identified.


4. Notice is delivered to all heirs and beneficiaries.


5. A public notice of petition is published in a local newspaper


6. For larger estates a Personal Representative appointed by the court and obtains letters of administration


7. An inventory of assets and debts is created.


8. Creditors claims are verified and disputed when necessary.


9. A proposed distribution of assets is presented to the Court.


10. The Court determines and approves the distribution of assets and actions of the Personal Representative.


11. The Probate is finalized through consent or by order of the Probate Judge.

A basic probate can be in the range of $1000-$1500 and larger estates typically are based on the assets in the estate. We will quote fixed fees for probates and even discount them in larger estates based on the statutory guidelines.

Timeshares can be problematic and one should consider owning the timeshare in a Trust or LLC, or holding ownership with another party as joint tenants with rights of survivorship in an effort to avoid an unnecessary probate

In Florida when a someone dies family members will need to compile a list of important information to deal with the estate. These documents will include what the deceased person owned, a list of their creditors and the amount of money owed at the time of death. To help get you started, here is a list of documents that need to be located:

1. Account statements


2. Life insurance policies


3. Beneficiary designations


4. Deeds for real estate


5. Automobile and boat titles


6. Stock and bond certificates


7. Business documents

In addition you may want to request our Free Florida Probate Hanbook to help you understand the process. When you request the handbook, be sure to ask any specific questions you may have.

If you have a Retirement Account in the State of Florida, a recently enacted law will provide your heirs stronger asset protection in Florida.

An individual Retirement Account is a form of retirement savings that provides tax benefits to the owner of the account. The account is primarily used as a means of saving for retirement. When the owner of an Individual Retirement Account dies, the account may be transferred to a named beneficiary. When transferred, it is known as an inherited Individual Retirement Account.

Generally, Florida law provides for protection of various assets from creditors, which protection extends to bankruptcy proceedings. Under the old Florida law, a regular Individual Retirement Account was exempt from creditor claims, but an inherited Individual Retirement Account was not.

However, House Bill 469 proposed to provide inherited Individual Retirement Accounts the same protection from creditors that the original Individual Retirement Account enjoyed. On May 31, 2001, Governor Rick Scott, signed HB 469, effectively making it the new law.

For more information about securing Florida Retirement Accounts and other Florida Estate Planning issues, contact a Jacksonville Estate Planning Lawyer today.

You have recently lost your uncle. He did not own a Florida home or real property but had bank accounts including a money market, CD's and a checking account. The accounts were solely in the uncle's name. His wife passed away years ago and he had no children. Whether there was a Florida Will or not, a Jacksonville probate proceeding must be initiated to transfer the uncle's property (financial accounts) to the proper beneficiaries.

If there is an indication that the bank accounts are less than $75,000.00 you may elect to go forth with a summary administration. A Florida Summary Administration is a shortened probate procedure in Florida and is available if the person who passed away has been dead for more than two years or if the person's estate, (less the value of any exempt property) does not exceed $75,000.00.

Before the Jacksonville Probate Judge will issue the Order of administration providing for the distribution of property, the petitioner (person initiating the probate proceeding) must show the judge that all known creditors have been given notice and an opportunity to make a claim against the Florida estate.

If you have lost a family member and need advice as to whether a summary administration is the best way for you to proceed, speak with a Jacksonville Beach Probate Attorney who can discuss the Florida Summary Administration and other Florida Probate options.

When a Florida Wrongful Death action is settled, the money either goes to the estate of the decedent (the person who has died) or to the decedent's survivors. If the settlement is small, it can be handled with a summary administration. When this happens, the settlement money becomes an asset of the estate and can be subject to the claims of creditors. With small wrongful death settlements, the potential risk from creditors needs to be evaluated to see if the savings in probate fees makes it worth while to consider a summary administration. It is important for a Jacksonville beneficiary of the estate to sit down with a Jacksonville Probate Attorney who can guide you through the probate administration process.

Probate is the court supervised proceeding for distributing the estate assets of the person who died. The probate process also identifies creditors who have valid claims against the estate. If a wrongful death settlement is listed as an estate asset, then it may be susceptible to the valid claims of creditors.

If you are a Jacksonville survivor under the Florida Wrongful Death Statute, protect your settlement award by knowing what estate assets are exempt and protected from the claims of creditors. Talk with an attorney experienced in Florida Probate cases.

Creditors only have 90 days to file claims in a Florida Probate once notice has been published. For this reason it may be beneficial to publish notice as soon as possible. Unfortunately, you can only publish notice once a Personal Representative has been appointed. If there is a dispute about who will be the PR in a Florida Probate case the ability to publish notice to the creditors will not happen until the Florida Court appoints a Personal Representative.

Creditors claims are barred 90 days after publication or 2 years after the death of the decedent. If you have a question about a Florida Probate case or want to speak with a Jacksonville Probate Lawyer contact us by phone or email.

Whether a death is expected or unexpected, the deceased will probably die with some outstanding debts. It is the responsibility of the estate of the decedent to pay whatever outstanding debts are owed. If you are wondering whether a debt owed by a recently deceased person is collectible, a probate judge will make that decision for you under Florida Statutes. Normally, tax debts are collected first followed by probate fees and all other debts including mortgages, account payables and credit card bills.

In order to pay the remaining debts the executor of the estate will use estate assets, which may require selling off illiquid portions of the estate to create funds to pay the debts. However, if there are not enough assets in the estate to cover all the debts then you may be left wanting. A creditor must file a claim with the estate within a fixed date after the death of the debtor. Therefore, you will go onto a list of creditors to be paid if you meet this deadline. A creditor will always be paid before a beneficiary unless the beneficiary also can make a claim as a creditor. As a result, if an individual leaves their estate insolvent, creditors will end up with their pockets full while your beneficiaries end up with nothing.

With an economy still slow to recover, more and more estates are left insolvent. A Florida Estate Planning Lawyer or Jacksonville Estate Planning Lawyer may be able to assist you in creating an Florida Estate Plan that can protect assets from some types of creditors and allow your heirs to receive a larger portion of your estate. If you would like a Free Florida Probate Handbook, let us know

Often when someone dies, they have money in a bank account that does not have a joint owner or a payable on death designation (POD). These banks often tell family members that they need "Letters of Administration" to distribute the funds. While this may be trust in some cases, most Florida Probate Courts will only issue Letters of Administration for Formal Probate Cases. If the decedent has been dead for more than 2 years or the assets subject to probate are less than $75,000 then you qualify under the Florida Probate code for a abbreviated probate process. This small estate administration is called Florida Summary Administration.

Once the court enters an order of summary administration, the court order can be used to collect and distribute the money in a bank account or other assets of the decedent.

Even if you qualify for the summary administration there may be reasons why a formal administration is preferable. You should discuss all the issue dealing with the assets, actions of the beneficiaries, and actions of fiduciaries while the decedent was alive with a Florida Probate Attorney to discuss which options make the most sense for you and your family.

Update:
Jacksonville Probate Lawyer, David Goldman has put together a Florida Probate Handbook that is being offered free to readers and visitors of his websites. If you would like a copy, visit the Free Florida Probate Handbook web page, fill out the form, and one will be sent to you within 24 hours by email.

Florida Estate Settlement is the process of gathering the assets of an estate and distributing them to the creditors and beneficiaries of the estate. In Florida this process is called a probate and generally requires the use of a Florida Probate Lawyer.

Most probate lawyers charge a percentage of the estate assets to handle the legal work involved. As Florida Estate Settlements get larger a percentage arrangement can become very expensive.

There is a wide range of fees charged for Florida Probate Administration and the Settlement of an estate. It is important to understand the nature and amount of assets and creditors to give a fair estimate of what a reasonable fee for a Florida probate should be.

Before you talk with a Florida Probate Attorney, you should gather as much information as possible. This will help them understand what steps will be necessary to administer the estate in question.