Why Should I Have a Court Reporter Present at My Florida Probate Trial?

A January 4, 2017 Fourth District Court of Appeal opinion, Reid v. Guardianship of Margaret Reid, shows us just how important it is to have a court reporter present at important hearings and trials. Why is this important? West Palm Beach appellate attorneys know that having a court reporter present is important  because, if you choose to appeal, a transcript can be essential. Judges in the Fourth District Court of Appeal or other Florida courts need the transcript in order to know what went on in your guardianship or probate lawsuit in circuit court. Without a transcript, how can a judge know whether something was decided incorrectly or not?  Although some courts do record hearings, which can later be transcribed, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Request a court reporter!

In Reid v. Guardianship of Margaret Reid, the son of the Ward challenges an order awarding attorney’s fees in a Florida guardianship proceeding. Here, he says that the court determined that he did not have standing to participate in the hearing but, since he had filed requests for notification of proceedings pursuant to Florida Probate Rule 5.060(a), he was entitled to participate. However, the 4th DCA could not find evidence that showed that the appellant could not participate in the hearing. This was because there was no transcript. To read the entire case, click here.