A few days ago it was released that they had discovered a human ancestor in  South Africa they call it homo naledi and scientists are excited. Do you know what the discovery of a missing link has to do with West Palm Beach probate? Lets put it this way, you will not need a team of anthropologists to unearth your long lost relatives when a wealthy member of your family’s will is probated. 

If you just received word that you have been disinherited by a West Palm  Beach will hopefully you know that the issue does not end here. You may be able to contest the will for various reasons under Florida’s probate code. Do you know how and when to challenge the will in West Palm Beach? Check out these three common reasons that litigants like you are challenging wills, and winning in probate court!

If you have children from multiple marriages or are remarried you need a  good estate plan more than ever. A poorly drafted will could mean family fighting for years, even decades. West Palm Beach probate litigators know that just because a family is “happy” does not mean everything will be easy when it comes time to read the will and distribute the property. Can your will stand up to the test? If you want to know how bad it can get take a look at this story of a billionaire’s family feud over an apartment, all the while billions are there to split!

Are you a non-resident who is investing in West Palm Beach real estate?  Did you know that inheritance taxes may suck up around forty percent (40%) of whatever you make on your investment if you die unexpectedly? West Palm Beach probate litigators know how to use commercial corporate structures and other business entities to insulate you from high tax liabilities. 

Marriage and estate planning go hand and hand in West Palm Beach. Failure to  plan well after the wedding can also spell aprobate battle after the funeral. If you want to avoid these kind of fights you need to trust those with experience in estate planning. Going it alone could cost you big down the line, want to see how? Check out the probate litigation arising out of Texas after the State’s attorney general will not let a lesbian woman inherit her partner’s estate. 

Is mother or father getting along in years and maybe, just maybe, slowing down? Perhaps you live in New York or New England or Cleveland or Detroit and mom lives in Boca Raton with a       $4 Million revocable trust.   Or dad retired to Palm Beach Gardens and has a $6 Million brokerage account.  You are worried about your inheritance and, oh yes, we should not forget, you are also worried about the care, safety, protection and well being of your parent who is living in Palm Beach County.  If a guardianship lawsuit is filed, here are 5 things to consider.

Have you ever heard of a pour over will or pour over trust? Do you want to  learn how these adjustments to your West Palm Beach estate plan can save everyone time in the probate process? Check out this quick introduction to the pour over will. Is this set up right for you?

A September 10, 2015 opinion from the Florida Supreme Court is a must read for all divorce lawyers and family law attorneys Florida and for anyone who writes, interprets or litigates Florida prenuptial agreements, premarital agreements, postnuptial agreements.  And, for estate litigation law firms West Palm Beach, you should understand the effect of langauge in a prenup which may waive possible inheritance rights of a Florida widow.

Are you remarrying and planning a prenuptial agreement to ensure your  estate plan remains the same? Did you know that you may have certain duties to disclose financial information if you enter into an agreement after the marriage? The Florida Supreme Court just came out with a new opinion yesterday regarding marital agreements. Do you know how these can change your probate rights and elective share rights?

It all comes out in the end, doesn’t it?  In this August 11, 2015 probate lawsuit out of Washington state, three sisters objected to the will of their mother.  Yes, that’s right: 3 sisters sued 1 sister over the will of their mother, Anita Tuttle.  Anyone involved in a will contest Palm Beach or objection to the will in Florida probate may want to read this case of : the Estate of Anita D. Tuttle; Anderson v. Hicklin, where three sisters sued their other sister who was the personal representative of their mother’s estate.  Just how did three sisters come to object to the will of their mother and sue their sister?  Well………………