At some point in time, if you’re lucky, you or your family will need to retain the services of an experienced probate attorney to distribute your assets after death. I say “if you’re lucky” because you hope to accumulate wealth and have people who love and care about you around at the time of your death to make such an effort worthwhile.
Probate is a legal process through which the assets of a deceased person are properly distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries under a will, or if there is no will, according to Florida law. The Court oversees the estate to make sure debts are paid and proper distribution is made.
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court has an excellent website that will answer many of your questions. Such as
What are the legal requirements for a will? (You may be suprised at the answer to this question.)
What if the deceased person left no Will?
What if there is a Will filed but no Personal Representative has been named?
How much will the probate process cost?
Do I need to hire an attorney?
The bottom line is that in nearly every circumstance, you should consult with an attorney at the death of a loved one to ensure the proper processes are being followed and that important issues do not creep up. For more information contact Matt Weidner at www.mattweidnerlaw.com
