A tragic case only gets well, more tragic as a slayer statute case  out of New York has been brought back into court. Do you know the story about a schizophrenic man who dodged criminal responsibility for stabbing to death his wealthy philanthropist Mom? Did you know that under the slayer statutes of Florida, in West Palm Beach probate court he would never have taken under the inheritance? In New York that was not the case and the man’s estranged father had to sue to get the money back in Manhattan probate court. Learn more about Florida’s slayer statute.

Are you serving as a personal representative,  guardian or trustee in West Palm Beach and the beneficiary, heirs or ward’s family won’t stop harassing you? Are you beingbombarded with frivolous litigation? Have you been sued in your personal capacity for no reason? You may have a remedy in West Palm Beach civil court. Have you considered bringing a claim for malicious prosecution? Learn how and take a look at this case out of the Fourth District Court of Appeals.

Do you want to transfer a West Palm Beach lawsuit to  another jurisdiction? Do you know how totransfer venue to another Florida Court? What if you want to transfer the case out of the country? Know the rules and perfect your case. Check out a case out of the Fourth District Court of Appeals where one party forgot to follow the rules and paid dearly as a result.

Are you pursuing attorney’s fees in West Palm Beach?  Do you know how the Court is going to determine what a reasonable fee is? The answer is not as simply as you may be thinking. If you know how the Court has to figure out the fee then it is going to be a lot easier to make your case to them. Do you know the rules? Check out this case from the Fourth District Court of Appeals that outlines the approach used by the Courts in and for West Palm Beach.

Are you the subject of a guardianship proceeding in  West Palm Beach? Is the proceeding unfounded and meant to abuse process? You may want to take a second and read about this interesting case out of the Fourth District Court of Appeals in and for West Palm Beach.

Have you or a loved one been injured as a result of  medical malpractice in West Palm Beach? Did you know that many hospitals fall under various exceptions to tort law because of their involvement with the State and Local governments? Do you understand the limits on recovery that exist due to sovereign immunity? Check out this guardianship case that evolved into a dispute regarding fees.

John Pankauski, Probate Litigator West Palm Beach, is the author of Pankauski’s Trustee’s Guide: 10 Steps to Family Trustee Excellence.  This book provides insight for those individuals who may serve as trusteeof a family trust.  This book on trusts and trustees was featured in USA Today on or about July 5, 2015 and is featured today, July 15, 2015 in USA Today online.  Here is the link forPankauski’s Trustee’s Guide in USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2015/07/12/wills-how-to-books/29494607/

Was the other side recently awarded attorney’s fees  in your West Palm Beach probate dispute? Are you considering appealing the awards? Experienced Palm Beach probate litigators will tell you, the appeals court will not reverse an award of attorney’s fees absent an abuse of discretion. Do you know what that means? Check out a case out of the Fourth District Court of Appeals to learn more.

Do you know what an ancillary probate administration is?  If you have property outside of Florida but are a West Palm Beach resident this blog is for you. Florida courts lack jurisdiction over your property outside of the State and the West Palm Beach probate court cannot order thepersonal representative with regards to that property. In fact in a case out of the Fourth District Court of Appeals filed today an order was reversed after the court tried to levy orders on Georgia property.

Are you preparing a testamentary trust to serve as a  will substitute in West Palm Beach? Do you know how to protect your family’s wealth from creditors, mismanagement and more? Here are three things to consider while you draft your trust charter.