Does a surviving spouse have rights when it comes to inheritance? Can my wife give her house to someone else in her Florida will? Can my husband leave me and our minor children nothing? What are spousal rights in Palm Beach probate litigation? Can my spouse of twenty years leave all of his money to his children from a prior marriage? If I am a surviving spouse, should I hire a Florida probate litigation lawyer? What am I entitled to? Chester Bennington, the lead singer for Linkin Park, recently passed away in California. Although his estate is not a Florida estate, Bennington’s wife may still be entitled to certain inheritance rights as the surviving spouse.

On July 20, 2017, CNBC reported that Chester Bennington, the renowned singer for Linkin Park, has allegedly committed suicide. He was found dead in his house in Los Angeles, California. Bennington leaves behind a wife and six children. Did he have an estate plan in place? Who will inherit his wealth? Who will inherit rights to his beloved music? Did he have a will? If he did not have a will, who will inherit his fortune? What are intestacy laws? What should probate lawyers know about dying intestate?

It is shocking what some people will do for money. As John Pankauski, managing partner at Pankauski Hauser PLLC, states in Pankauski Probate Litigation Guide: Top 10 Probate Mistakes Revealed, “your family is going to fight over your wealth: when you’re gone and – perhaps – while you’re still alive.” On July, 17, 2017, ABC News reports that a Nathan Carman, a man who made the news for being rescued at sea after seven days, may have murdered his grandfather. Furthermore, there are allegations that he may have been involved with his mom’s death. Can he still inherit from his grandfather if he is found guilty of murdering him?  

In Florida, can a murderer inherit from his or her murder victim? What is Florida’s Slayer Statute? What does it have to do with Florida probate litigation or Palm Beach trust litigation? If I murder my spouse, can I still inherit from him or her? If I murder my family member in Palm Beach, will I inherit his or her millions of dollars? What do Florida inheritance laws have to do with murder?

The New York Times reported on July 31,2017 that Sam Shepard had passed away. He was an actor and Pulitzer-winning playwright best known for his “hallucinatory” plays and his roles in Days of Heaven” (1978), “The Right Stuff” (1983) and “Baby Boom” (1987). This amazing playwright probably left more than just bank accounts and real estate. He possibly left very valuable intellectual property, like Prince did.

What Florida law governs motions for a transfer in venue? Can a trust and estates case be transferred to another venue that is more convenient for the parties and witnesses? When is a transfer of venue proper? What factors must the court consider when determining whether a probate case should be transferred to a different county in Florida? What is Florida statute 47.122? What should my Fort Lauderdale trust lawyer know about the doctrine of forum non conveniens? A recent July 26,2017 Fourth DCA opinion involves a motion to transfer POA litigation from Broward County, Florida to Seminole County, Florida.

Have you obtained a favorable verdict in Palm Beach court? Is the defendant failing to pay up? What tools can you use to collect a judgment? How do you collect a judgment if the defendant has no money to pay it or refuses to pay? Do you know how to pursue sanctions? You may want to take a look at a Fourth District Court of Appeal case, MYD Marine Distributor Inc. v. International Paint LTD.

How do guardianship lawyers in Florida get paid? How does a probate judge determine whether the fees requested by a guardianship attorney are reasonable or not? What happens if the probate judge deems requested attorneys fees unreasonable? What is Florida Statute 744.108? Are there certain criteria that a guardianship court must consider when awarding fees for Palm Beach guardians or lawyers?You may want to check out this May 10,2017 Fourth District Court of Appeal ( DCA) opinion, Meyer v. Watras, regarding Florida guardianships and attorneys fees.

West Palm Beach probate litigators know, and statistics show, that young people tend to pass away without an estate plan. This makes sense since death is the last thing on a healthy, young person’s mind. Unfortunately, however, young lives are sometimes taken away way too soon. Did forty-one year old Chester Bennington die without a will? If he did, what will happen to his Los Angeles estate? Will his wife and six children inherit his fortune?

On July 20, 2017, CNBC reported that Chester Bennington, the renowned singer for Linkin Park, has allegedly committed suicide. He was found dead in his house in Los Angeles, California. Bennington leaves behind a wife and six children. Did he have an estate plan in place? Who will inherit his wealth? Who will inherit rights to his beloved music? Did he have a will?