Can you be arrested for filing a will? That is what happened in a  recent case out of the Dallas Court of Appeals in Texas. The Court held that it was not improper to criminalize the acts of the Defendant here. Is someone contesting your parents will just to steal the estate? This may be a case where that contestant could go to jail!

Have you ever heard of Fla. Stat. 726.105? Why are we talking about  fraudulent transfers on a probate blog?Many debtors in West Palm Beach want to use trusts and other probate devices to avoid creditors. The question becomes, does it work? How much do you know about asset protection in West Palm Beach?

If you are a resident of West Palm Beach you are probably already aware  of the homestead property tax exemptions. Did you know that you are also entitled to protection from judgment and levyof certain homestead property in West Palm Beach? This benefit may be able to protect the family home from creditors during probate do you know how? Check out this case out of the Miami Appeals Court that shows how residents of Florida can protect their homes from being taken by judgment and creditors.

Are you currently serving as the personal representative of your mother’s  estate only to learn that she had been giving your brother large sums of cash? You may be able to have the probate court view it as a loan, not a gift. Depending on the facts. This could change their right to an inheritance given the debt they owe to the estate. Check out this recent probate appeal from Ohio to learn more.

Were you estranged from one or both birth parents growing up but now  want to inherit under the estate in West Palm Beach? You may have problems establishing heirship but do you know what that means? Check out this recent case out of Texas to learn more about your local probate in West Palm Beach.

If you are a regular follower of our probate blogs then you already know  that time is of the essence when it comes to probate. Still some people just do not believe us when we say you may have a matter of months to file a will contest in West Palm Beach! Check out this recent case where a son tried to probate his Dad’s will 25 years later!

If you were lucky enough to see money from an inheritance this year pay  attention. Do you understand the tax implications for estate and generation skipping taxes? The personal representative of the estate of a U.S. citizen may be required to file a Form 706. How can you be sure?

Did you know that more and more people in West Palm Beach are  using testamentary trusts and other will substitutes to avoid the pains of probate? What are the big differences between your will and a pour over trust? 

Are you a beneficiary of a family trust in West Palm Beach? Are you upset  with the behavior of the trustee? You may be able to have the trustee removed with the help of the probate court, read more to learn how. 

Everyone knows that there are a ton of retirees in West Palm Beach and  Florida in general. Did your parents retire down here? Are you concerned with protecting your loved ones as they age? There are a number of ways to protect your family without babysitting them. You may want to consider a power of attorney or alternatively seeking guardianship. Do you know the difference between the two?