On July 20, 2017, CNBC reported that Chester Bennington, the renowned singer for Linkin Park, has allegedly committed suicide. He was found dead in his house in Los Angeles, California. Bennington leaves behind a wife and six children. Did he have an estate plan in place? Who will inherit his wealth? Who will inherit rights to his beloved music? Did he have a will? If he did not have a will, who will inherit his fortune? What are intestacy laws? What should probate lawyers know about dying intestate?

It is shocking what some people will do for money. As John Pankauski, managing partner at Pankauski Hauser PLLC, states in Pankauski 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 July, 17, 2017, ABC News reports that a Nathan Carman, a man who made the news for being rescued at sea after seven days, may have murdered his grandfather. Furthermore, there are allegations that he may have been involved with his mom’s death. Can he still inherit from his grandfather if he is found guilty of murdering him?  

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 or Palm Beach trust litigation? If I murder my spouse, can I still inherit from him or her? If I murder my family member in Palm Beach, will I inherit his or her millions of dollars? What do Florida inheritance laws have to do with murder?

The New York Times reported on July 31,2017 that Sam Shepard had passed away. He was an actor and Pulitzer-winning playwright best known for his “hallucinatory” plays and his roles in Days of Heaven” (1978), “The Right Stuff” (1983) and “Baby Boom” (1987). This amazing playwright probably left more than just bank accounts and real estate. He possibly left very valuable intellectual property, like Prince did.

What Florida law governs motions for a transfer in venue? Can a trust and estates case be transferred to another venue that is more convenient for the parties and witnesses? When is a transfer of venue proper? What factors must the court consider when determining whether a probate case should be transferred to a different county in Florida? What is Florida statute 47.122? What should my Fort Lauderdale trust lawyer know about the doctrine of forum non conveniens? A recent July 26,2017 Fourth DCA opinion involves a motion to transfer POA litigation from Broward County, Florida to Seminole County, Florida.

Have you obtained a favorable verdict in Palm Beach court? Is the defendant failing to pay up? What tools can you use to collect a judgment? How do you collect a judgment if the defendant has no money to pay it or refuses to pay? Do you know how to pursue sanctions? You may want to take a look at a Fourth District Court of Appeal case, MYD Marine Distributor Inc. v. International Paint LTD.

How do guardianship lawyers in Florida get paid? How does a probate judge determine whether the fees requested by a guardianship attorney are reasonable or not? What happens if the probate judge deems requested attorneys fees unreasonable? What is Florida Statute 744.108? Are there certain criteria that a guardianship court must consider when awarding fees for Palm Beach guardians or lawyers?You may want to check out this May 10,2017 Fourth District Court of Appeal ( DCA) opinion, Meyer v. Watras, regarding Florida guardianships and attorneys fees.

West Palm Beach probate litigators know, and statistics show, that young people tend to pass away without an estate plan. This makes sense since death is the last thing on a healthy, young person’s mind. Unfortunately, however, young lives are sometimes taken away way too soon. Did forty-one year old Chester Bennington die without a will? If he did, what will happen to his Los Angeles estate? Will his wife and six children inherit his fortune?

On July 20, 2017, CNBC reported that Chester Bennington, the renowned singer for Linkin Park, has allegedly committed suicide. He was found dead in his house in Los Angeles, California. Bennington leaves behind a wife and six children. Did he have an estate plan in place? Who will inherit his wealth? Who will inherit rights to his beloved music? Did he have a will?

Are you involved in a Palm Beach probate where there is an issue of who inherits joint bank accounts after a Florida divorce? Are you familiar with Florida Probate Law 732.507, and whether an ex-spouse inherits if they are still listed in a Florida will? How can divorce affect bank accounts and inheritances? According to the Palm Beach Post, Burt and Lucille Handelsman are getting divorced. This Palm Beach couple built a real estate empire that “encompasses some of the toniest shops on Worth Avenue, restaurants in Delray Beach, bars in Key West and retail complexes in upstate New York.”  West Palm Beach estate lawyers can’t help but wonder what will happen to their assets. What will happen to their bank accounts? Will they still inherit from each others estates when one of them dies?