Notables
Safeguards in Probate to Protect the Decedent’s Family: Exempt Property & Family Allowance
May 21, 2021
Among others, Florida’s Probate Code includes two particular safeguards to protect a Decedent’s surviving spouse and children – the exempt property and the family allowance. These two things are intended to provide immediate relief to the surviving spouse and children during the estate administration period, without having to wait for the three-month long creditor claims period to expire….
Larry King died in January 2021, so what is this news about his estate?
May 7, 2021
Various recent news headlines – such as the Los Angeles Times, and other press – have given Larry King’s estate some attention. Larry, together with his wife, Shawn Southwick King, had executed estate planning documents in 2015, where he named her the personal representative of his estate. However, Larry filed for divorce in August 2019….
The Use of Text Messages and Emails in Litigation Proceedings
April 28, 2021
A trend in court proceedings, and particularly in probate litigation matters, is the use of copies of text messages and emails between individuals in court proceedings. From an evidentiary standpoint, and for the use of said text messages and emails in court proceedings, an important question becomes the authenticity of the text messages and emails….
Contracts to Make a Will
April 12, 2021
A will must be the result of a person’s free will. It must be signed voluntarily and not under threat or duress, or it could be deemed invalid, which issue is often the bread and butter of a typical probate litigator’s case work. However, a person may execute a contract during their lifetime to include certain terms and/or beneficiaries in their will, which is enforceable under Florida law….
The Last Phases of a Probate Administration: The Petition for Discharge and Final Accounting
March 17, 2021
After the personal representative has discharged their fiduciary duties in the probate administration, including locating the estate’s assets, noticing the creditors, providing an inventory, paying any creditors or debts of the decedent, and selling or distributing the assets to the beneficiaries, it is then time to proceed the last part of the probate process, which is the petition for discharge and final accounting. …
Partner John Farina Receives Martindale-Hubbell’s Highest AV Preeminent Rating
March 5, 2021
Partner John Farina is once again a recipient of the prestigious AV Preeminent® peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which he has held since 1995. The AV Preeminent® rating is the highest level of professional excellence and ethical standards an attorney can receive from the national attorney peer review rating service.
Estate Planning Upon Divorce
March 2, 2021
People typically designate their spouse as the primary beneficiary in their will, trust, or beneficiary designation of their financial accounts and retirement accounts. However, what happens in the case of divorce?
Many times, someone may neglect to update their estate plan following a divorce and leave their ex-spouse as a beneficiary of their estate plan and of their financial or retirement accounts. …
Partner Bill Boyes Appointed to ACTEC Fiduciary Litigation Subcommittee for 24th Consecutive Year
February 22, 2021
Partner William Boyes has once again been appointed to The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel’s (“ACTEC”) Fiduciary Litigation Subcommittee, where he has served on both the Fiduciary Litigation and Evidence subcommittees since 1997.
ACTEC is a national organization of more than 2,500 lawyers and law professors who are elected to be Fellows based on their outstanding reputation, exceptional skill, and substantial contributions to the field by lecturing, writing, teaching and participating in bar activities….
Guardianship Attorneys’ Fees and the Benefit to the Ward
February 18, 2021
Attorneys’ fee awards in guardianship cases are governed by Florida Statute 744.108, allowing for attorney fees rendered for services provided to either a ward or to the guardian of a ward. This statute provides, in relevant part:
744.108 Guardian and attorney fees and expenses.
A guardian, or an attorney who has rendered services to the ward or to the guardian on the ward’s behalf, is entitled to a reasonable fee for services rendered and reimbursement for costs incurred on behalf of the ward.…
Why Filing a Caveat in a Florida Probate Court is Important
February 4, 2021
While you may not want to commence a probate proceeding yourself, you still may have concerns about someone else getting the jump on you by secretly probating a will that is invalid. In those instances, you would want to file a “caveat,” as authorized by Fla. Stat. §731.110 and Fla.