Florida probate lawyers know that a notice of administration marks an important point in the administration of a Florida estate. Do you know why? Failure to pay attention to the rules in that notice could waive your right to certain probate claims like a will contest or other probate lawsuit. Are you sure that the personal representative served the notice correctly on all of the relevant parties?

I am pleased to endorse Judge Laura Johnson, who is seeking the Palm Beach County, Florida, 15th Judicial Circuit, Group 3 Circuit Judge seat presently held by Judge Jack Cox. Judge Laura Johnson has served admirably in Palm Beach County Court, and has the integrity, experience, knowledge and objectivity to make a great Circuit Court Judge. Please support Judge Laura Johnson in her campaign for the Group 3 Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Seat by going to the campaign’s website:  http://www.judgelaurajohnson.com/

Rocker David Bowie died recently with supposedly a $100 Million Estate. Want to learn more about David Bowie’s last will and who inherits his property?  Check out this New York Times article about the probate of David Bowie’s will and estate:  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/30/nyregion/david-bowies-will-splits-estate-said-to-be-worth-100-million.html?_r=0

Florida probate lawyers need to know more than just Florida probate laws.  Why would a Florida estate lawyer need to know anything about the Cayman Island’s policy on divorce? Because Florida probate litigation is never one size fits all. Don’t believe me? Check out this recent case out of the Second District Court of Appeal.

Florida probate lawyers who have experience with jury trials know that the  Court has wide latitude to consider giving a party a new trial. Do you know what the Court considers? This is where consulting with an experienced estate lawyer about Florida probate litigation comes in handy. Check out this recent case involving a personal representative and their need for a new trial in Florida.

Can you object to a Florida revocable trust while the trust creator is alive? Or, you could ask the question a different way:  in Florida trust litigation, when can you file a trust contest or trust challenge about a revocable trust or living trust?  Must you wait until the creator of the trust dies, or can you attack a living trust or an amendment during the creator’s life? 

Ask any Florida trust lawyer and they will probably tell you that penalty clauses are invalid under Florida trust law. But what does that mean?  Can you contest a trust even when a trust says, in plain English, that if you challenge the trust that you receive no inheritance?  Ask your Florida probate litigation lawyer about Florida trust law 736.1108: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/STATUTES/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0736/Sections/0736.1108.html

Let’s say that you inherited some land from a Florida estate, or maybe a condo or a couple of houses that your mother or father or aunt or uncle owned in Palm Beach Gardens.  The real estate goes through probate.  Or, perhaps your uncle or aunt put your name on a deed with your cousin or sister, and now, after Palm Beach probate, your Florida estate lawyer tells you that you are a “tenant in common” or co-owner on valuable real estate with someone else, like a cousin or a sister who hates you.  What can a co-owner do if you inherit real estate, and don’t like the  other co-owner?  Can you file for partition or forced sale of the real estate if you and the co-owners don’t get along?  You should read the Florida law on partition or sale of real estate for co-owners who inherit property:  http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0064/0064.html

Why are guardianships a good option in Florida? Ask any Florida probate lawyer about the undue influence and duress a con person can place onto your loved ones. How can a guardianship in Florida help? It may be better to understand what a Florida estate lawyer and a guardianship petition can do for the benefit of your loved ones. Check out this recent article about a man in England who lost over $100,000 after financial abuse that may have been prevented with the help of a guardianship proceeding.

How does the Florida probate court decide who are heirs when  you die intestate? Florida probate lawyers know intestacy is when you die without leaving a will or alternative estate plan. Want to know who is going to be an heir under Florida’s rules of intestate succession? You may want to talk to an experienced Florida estate lawyer. Alternatively, for an interesting read check out this story about a Polish probate court and its ruling on a priest’s alleged child.