It is shocking what some people will do for money. As John Pankauski states in Pankauski’s Probate Litigation Guide: Top 10 Probate Mistakes Revealed, “your family is going to fight over your wealth: when you’re gone and – perhaps – while you’re still alive.” On May 3, 2017, the Daily News reported about a man who murdered his boyfriend.  Did his boyfriend have a proper estate plan in place? Did he even inherit under the boyfriend’s will? Does he still inherit now that he has been found guilty of murder?

According to a May 9, 2017 Fox News article, Abby Lee Miller, the star of Lifetime’s popular show ‘Dance Moms’, has been sentenced to one year in prison for committing fraud. She was specifically sentenced for committing bankruptcy fraud. Although this case is not about probate fraud and trust litigation in Florida, it demonstrates just how greedy and out-of-character some people can get when it comes to money. Probate litigators, unfortunately, frequently witness fraud in many forms.

In Florida, can a murderer inherit from his or her murder victim? What is Florida’s Slayer Statute? What does it have to do with Florida probate litigation? If I murder my spouse, can I still inherit from him or her? If I murder my girlfriend in Palm Beach, will I inherit her millions of dollars? What do Florida inheritance laws have to do with murder?

If you just lost a parent in Florida, you may need an estate lawyer to help get you your inheritance. What should I consider when looking for a lawyer? What should I ask the probate attorney while interviewing him or her?

What is a will signing ceremony? Who conducts them? Does your estate planning attorney know how to conduct a proper ceremony? How do you execute a valid Florida will? How do you make sure that a will signing ceremony is done correctly? Who needs to sign a Palm Beach will? Do you need witnesses? Check out these seven factors that probate litigator, John Pankauski, recommends you know regarding will signing ceremonies in Florida.

How does dementia affect probate litigation in Florida? Why is it so important for people to have a proper estate plan in place? How can an estate plan help me when I am still living? What do probate and guardianship lawyers need to know about dementia? How can dementia affect wills and trusts? How can a proper estate plan help people with dementia?

On April 24, 2017, Yahoo! News reported that actress Erin Moran had passed away. She was best known for her role as Joanie Cunningham on the television sitcom Happy Days. She was only 56 years old when she passed away unexpectedly from a suspected drug overdose. Did she have a will or a proper estate plan in place? Which probate litigation law firm will handle the probate process for her estate?

Supreme Court of Florida takes jurisdiction to address standards of review in marital, civil, and trust cases involving “donative intent,” and overturns Fourth District’s decision in a marital case in the process.

FOURTH DCA DENIES ATTORNEYS’ FEES TO PREVAILING HOMEOWNER IN FORECLOSURE CASE

Pankauski Hauser partner Robert J. Hauser argued before the Supreme Court of Florida in Tallahassee on November 1, 2016. On Thursday, March 30, 2017, the Supreme Court issued its decision. By a vote of 6-0, the Justices quashed the decision of the Fourth District , which resulted in an impressive victory for Rob and his client.