What is Florida Probate Fraud? What can you do to protect yourself once you have discovered it? To read Florida Probate Law Commentary on Overturning a Will Based Upon Fraud, CLICK HERE. To read more about this estate topic, continue reading. Fraud in Florida Fraud is a cause of action in Florida legal proceedings. “Generally, if something is caused by fraud, it is void” says probate litigator John Pankauski, who wrote a Probate Litigation Guide. He wrote about 10 common probate mistakes. We recently provided commentary on Fraud on the Court in Florida. That is not what we are talking about here. “When you speak about Florida Probate Fraud” continues Pankauski, “most people think about two things.” First, a will or trust caused by fraud is void. Read Florida Probate Law 732.5165. Second, if a trustee or executor is hiding or stealing assets, that is fraud. Whether you can sue for Civil Theft or Breach of Fiduciary Duty depends on your facts. “And” Pankauski points out “it depends on the type of fraud, too.” Yes, there are different types of fraud in Florida. “Knowing what type of fraud occurred is important” says Pankauski. And that will help you understand how to exercise your rights when you face Florida Probate Fraud. (To read more about Inheritance Theft, CLICK THIS LINK.) Exercising Your Rights If you believe that a will or trust was caused by a lie or undue influence, you need to ask a judge to make that ruling. You can […]

What does it mean to contest a will in Florida? Many heirs may feel a sense of entitlement to inherit from a Florida Probate. Florida has a strong public policy that permits residents to dispose of their property as they see fit. These two “forces” can collide. Like when a wealthy Palm Beacher dis-inherits her only daughter. Many family members from out of state want to know about contesting a will in Florida. We have previously provided Florida Legal Commentary on the 3 Month Time Limit to contest a will. Free Probate Videos To see a FREE FLORIDA PROBATE VIDEO about overturning a will based on fraud, CLICK HERE. For a free video on Understanding a Will Contest, CLICK HERE. That video discusses contesting a Florida will. Videos are often quickly educational, and easy to view. But the truth is that you probably learn the most from Florida Probate Laws. These laws are found in the Florida Statutes, called the Florida Probate Code. And the rules of the game are found in the Florida Probate Rules. Probate Court in Florida In Florida, there is a Probate Court that administers estates. Contesting a will in Florida will take place in a probate court. A probate is “opened” in the county of the deceased Florida resident. If a Petition for Administration was filed, you should “answer” it. “Also consider filing a counter petition to exercise your rights” suggests Will Contest Attorney John Pankauski. “If there is no probate, open one up” says […]

Restrictive covenants in Florida contracts were front and center on March 17, 2021. The 4th DCA issued its opinion regarding a Broward County real estate commission dispute. If you are involved in Florida contract litigation , is your restrictive covenant valid or void? Restrictive Covenants in Florida Florida sells a lot of real estate. Houses, condos, warehouses are built, renovated and sold, and re-sold, hundreds of times. And while aspects of contract law are pretty clear in Florida, people may know less about restrictive covenants. Restrictive covenants are serious promises or limitations which one party agrees to. They may involve land or something very personal like services. Florida Restrictive Covenants can be thought of as rights which are granted to another. What if agree with everyone in your housing development not to build higher than 3 stories? In real estate law, sometimes that is referred to as a restriction that “runs with the land.” It can be passed down to future owners. It supposedly benefits your neighbors and it burdens your land or house. In the employment context, many of you know about non-competes. Non-competes are typically found in employment contracts. They restrict an employee from doing certain things, typically when they leave employment. Such as soliciting or accepting business from your former company’s clients when you leave. Or from working in the same field. Most of those restrictions in a Florida non-compete need to be reasonable as to duration (time) and geography (location). But what about a Florida real […]

Are you wondering where your inheritance is? Did someone improperly deny you your Florida inheritance? This legal commentary will provide insight on Inheritance Theft Laws in Florida. We have already written about INHERITANCE DISPUTES and APPEALS. Now, let’s focus a bit more on inheritance theft. Civil Theft vs. Probate Remedies Civil theft is said to be one cause of action in Florida. It is one part of Inheritance Theft Laws in the sunshine state. Admittedly, this law appears to be used too much, or, perhaps improperly. Florida Statute 772.11 is the Florida Civil Theft Law. It provides a civil penalty for doing criminal things. “Clients love the Florida Civil Theft Law” says Florida litigation attorney John Pankauski “you get triple damages and attorneys fees.” BUT, Pankauski reminds us, that’s only have a judge or jury trial. AFTER you win! And he should know. Unlike a lot of Florida lawyers who want you to settle all your cases, he actually tries cases and handles appeals. Yup, he is NOT for everyone. To read more about treble or triple damages under the civil theft law in Florida, and attorneys fees, read Florida Statute 772.11 (1). Consider also reading Florida Statute 772.185. For a FREE VIDEO on civil theft and damage calculation, CLICK HERE. Probate Court Remedies The truth is that most of your remedies for inheritance theft lie in probate court, or the civil court, and don’t involve Florida’s civil theft statute. “When you are talking about inheritances” says probate litigator John […]

Specific performance is a legal remedy to compel someone to do something according to a contract. Specific performance in Miami real estate contracts was front and center recently. On March 10, 2021, the 3rd District Court of Appeal issued its opinion in the case of Mori v. Fortune Capital Partners, Inc. If you are involved in real estate contracts and the other side won’t do what you think they should, read this case. And read the Miami real estate contract. We have previously blogged about Florida real estate litigation and a Florida condo sale. To read more about a seller’s duties under a real estate contract, and a desire to get out of the contract, CLICK HERE. Real Estate Litigation What do you do when a party to a real estate contract won’t perform? “The first thing to do” says litigation attorney John Pankauski “is read the real estate contract.” Pankauski, who has litigated, drafted and reviewed numerous real estate contracts over his career, should know. He knows a thing or two about specific performance and real estate litigation. What does Florida Real Estate Law say about real estate deeds and conveyances? You can read the entire Chapter 689 for free. Beyond understanding how real estate is transferred, or conveyed, the contract holds many of your legal keys. What Does Your Real Estate Contract Say? To read this 3rd DCA opinion on Specific Performance in Miami Real Estate Contracts, CLICK THIS LINK. How long do you have to enforce your […]

Lots of family members, or kin, expect to inherit when family members die. That’s understandable in some instances. But the truth is that how much kin inherit from a Florida estate actually depends on whether there is a valid will or not. Kin, or heirs, inherit if there is no valid will. They inherit from an intestate estate. We previously provided commentary about INHERITANCE RIGHTS of kin. Candidly, the word “kin” is not really used in Florida probate law. So, Florida Next of Kin law can really be thought of as Florida Intestacy Law. Florida Inheritance Law A valid will will be “probated” under the Florida Probate Code. If there is no valid will, then the Florida resident is said to have died “intestate.” Intestacy simply means that there is no will. Or, no valid will. In that circumstance, the Florida Laws of Intestacy tell you who inherits and how much. To know how much you may inherit, read Florida Probate Code 732.101- 732.111. The Florida Probate Code uses the word “Heirs.” See Florida Probate Code 731.201 (20) for the definition of Heirs for Florida inheritance purposes. “Heirs” inherit from an intestate estate. The word “Heirs” is defined in the Florida Probate Code HERE. Heirs or heirs at law means those persons, including the surviving spouse, who are entitled under the statutes of intestate succession to the property of a decedent. The word “kin” under Florida probate law, is really not used any more. What if there is a will […]

Have you heard of arbitration of disputes in Florida? Would you give up your right to appear before a Judge in a public courtroom? Do you think being in front of a private arbitration panel is better? Well, we have written about Powers of Attorney and arbitration before. Now, we will consider a March 2021 3rd DCA case on arbitration. It is not a will or trust case, but it is worth reading. Why? Because it considers the issue of making third parties “go” to arbitration, who prefer to be in federal or state court. In this 3rd DCA case, a motion to compel arbitration was denied at the trial level. Another issue which trial courts deal with, with a pending motion to compel arbitration, is whether a stay should be entered. Finally, this legal commentary has some authority below regarding arbitration of will and trust disputes in Florida. Florida Arbitration Law Florida has its own Arbitration Code, Chapter 632. To read a March 10, 2021 3rd District Court of Appeal opinion on arbitration, CLICK HERE. The case of City of Miami v. Ortiz repeated a number of bedrock legal principles regarding arbitration in Florida. But what makes this recent Florida arbitration opinion interesting is that it discusses one of the “hot topics” of arbitration. Can you compel a non-signatory to arbitration? Let’s put that another way. Can you make someone who is suing you go to arbitration even when they don’t want arbitration, and they never signed any arbitration […]

A unique, and, often misunderstood, Florida Law can get you attorneys fees under the right circumstances. We have previously written about Florida Statute 768.79 and Florida Rule of Procedure 1. 442. A recent, March 17, 2021, appellate opinion from the 2nd District Court of Appeal tells us more about what some lawyers call the “offer of judgment” statute. We have previously written about service of proposals for settlement. So called “Fee Shifting” statutes are common in Florida Probate and Trust matters. They are less common, almost non-existent, in tort cases. Ending Litigation or Creating More? The proposal for settlement statute was intended to limit litigation. But it causes a lot of motions to be filed and a lot of appeals to be taken. Want to read a recent 2nd DCA case about Florida proposal for settlement or offer of judgment? Then simply click on Arizone v. Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Ins. Co., Inc. You also need to read Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.442. “A proposal for settlement can be an effective way to end a lawsuit” says Florida litigation attorney John Pankauski. He spends time preparing Florida proposals for settlement and reviewing them when they are sent to his clients. “They can also be an effective way to seek attorneys fees” Pankauski continues. That’s because Florida follows the “American Rule”. The American Rule says that each party pays their own attorneys unless there is a statute or a contract. “In many non-contract cases, a settlement proposal under the […]

What do Florida residents do when there is a real estate dispute over title? A March 12, 2021 2nd DCA opinion reminds us what a Florida Quiet Title Action is and what you need to prove. We have previously commented on Florida Homestead Litigation . Now, let’s talk about Florida Deeds that are confusing or contradictory. (For a FREE VIDEO on Florida Real Estate Litigation and the related issue of lis pendens, CLICK HERE.) Multiple Florida Deeds What do you do when there are multiple Florida Deeds? Well, first, ask yourself: will a Title Company issue a title policy? Many good Florida Real Estate Litigators consult with title companies to see if they would issue a policy. When Florida real estate is going to be sold, most buyers want a title policy. Insurance that supports what the buyer is buying is real. That the seller owns what she is claiming to own–and sell. And if the buyer is borrowing money to fund the purchase, most lenders absolutely require insurance on the title. A title policy. “Many times, we get calls from sellers who want to sell but have a title issue” says Palm Beach litigation attorney John Pankauski. “We have filed a number of quiet title or ‘dec’ actions recently.” Pankauski and his team of expert litigators often litigate over Florida Homestead and estates, but also quiet title actions and Florida deeds. Pankauski also recommends reading two Florida Chapters or sets of Statutes. He suggests reading Chapter 689 which deals […]

Undue influence is a serious topic for estate litigators. And, perhaps more so, for family members and heirs. Have you been dis-inherited by a last minute will? This Florida probate commentary will explain what undue influence is and point you to an important Florida Estate Law. If you want to see a FREE UNDUE INFLUENCE VIDEO by estate and trust litigation attorney John Pankauski, CLICK HERE. Voiding a Florida Will Based Upon Undue Influence A will that is caused by undue influence is void. Florida Probate Law makes that very clear. Read Fla. Stat. 732.5165. Likewise, a Florida Trust that is caused by it is also VOID. If you want to read more about Florida probate and trust law, you can read the Florida Probate Code and also the Florida Trust Code for free. Here, also, is a free link to the Florida Probate Rules. The Florida Probate Rules are different than Florida statutes. There is a special procedure to follow to have a will or trust declared void . “You have to file papers in the Probate Court to contest the will” says veteran estate litigation attorney John Pankauski. “For trusts, you have to file a separate civil lawsuit.” In some instances, like with a Pour Over Will, you have to do both. How Do You Define It? Undue influence is defined as a form of coercion, over-persuasion and force. It is not always the same. It can vary from perpetrator to perpetrator. Undue influence can also have different […]