If you are inheriting from a Palm Beach probate or a Florida estate, here’s a word of advice from a Florida probate lawyer: don’t be disgruntled. Why Do Estate Beneficiaries Get Angry? As family members from Stuart, Florida to Palm Beach Gardens to Ft. Lauderdale “deal” with inheriting from a Palm Beach probate, some are not happy Some are downright rude and angry Why? Estate Beneficiaries May Not Understand Florida Probate Well, sometimes heirs and family members who inherit just don’t understand the  Florida probate process There are duties, procedures and timeframes under the Florida Probate Code Things don’t have to drag on and on, but some things do take time, especially if the estate is filing a federal estate tax return Form 709, which means it’s going to take time before it is “blessed by the IRS“ Translation:  the estate is not going to be closed before then, and you won’t get your full inheritance before then, although you may get a partial distribution or advance on  your inheritance Best Advice for Estate Beneficiaries If you don’t trust the Florida executor or personal representative, or his or her Palm Beach probate lawyer, then hire your own Hire a probate lawyer who limits his or her practice to Florida estate administration Ask all  your questions of YOUR probate lawyer.  Get the straight answers you need.  Get objective advice and straight talk. Don’t turn into the Yosemite Sam character in Hare to Heir: the Warner Brothers Bugs Bunny animated film Google […]

Has someone you know just passed away and you are now involved in a probate  ? Is someone throwing around the term “will contest” and you are wondering what it means and  how it may affect your inheritance? Or, are you interested in filing a will contest but am not sure, exactly what it is?

Wondering where mom or dad’s money went the last few years?    Florida probate lawyers will tell you that although health care costs and medical expenses can drain assets as we age, you should consider asking questions if you see large outflows of money or large “gifts” when mom or dad were failing.

Many family members and heirs who got cut out of a will or dis-inherited ask Florida estate attorneys from Palm Beach Gardens to Delray Beach about undue influence.

The Palm Beach appeals court was in the middle of the adult entertainment industry– sort of. …. And a family fight after dad died: over a business with, who else, right?….. the widow, stepmother & stepchildren.  Control. Money. Lawsuits.  Enter the Florida estate litigators.

Are you involved in a trial where personal jurisdiction of a non-Florida resident is at issue and there is a forum selection clause? Or a venue clause or governing law clause in the Florida contract?

University of Miami Athletics Assistant Director of Development  Dillon Boggs visited  John Pankauski (LL.M. ’93) in his West Palm Beach probate litigation law firm July 25, 2014. Pankauski is a UMiami Hurricanes football and basketball season ticket holder.

The July/August issue of Probate & Property features a story/article on elder abuse and financial exploitation of the elderly. What is Financial Exploitation or Elder Abuse?

Can a trustee receive a referral fee from a money manager who the trustee hires to manage trust investments? Answer:    No. Why?

What are the 5 most common red flags of undue influence?  Well, it’s hard to say since there aren’t any surveys or reports that I know of. But what are the warning signs of undue influence?  Experience as a Florida estate attorney who handles undue influence trials and probate litigation suggests: