Q: Is it worth the fight? Here are some points to consider if you are engaged in an estate battle over antiques, artwork or personal property. From Palm Beach to Ft. Lauderdale, Delray Beach to Boynton Beach, our probate litigation firm sees family members fighting over estate property.
Are you in charge of your parent’s estate in Palm Beach or maybe their Boca Raton revocable or living trust? Ever deal with a sister or brother — or in law ! – of a sibling who is going on a fishing expedition?
Lately, I’ve written a lot of Palm Beach probate commentary about personal, non-technical issues related to Florida estates & trusts. Why? Well, the clients at our West Palm Beach probate law firm tell us that probate disputes and litigation are stressful, in addition to being costly. (As far as I know we are the only Florida probate firm to right about some of the “behind the scenes” issues surrounding probate litigation: the frustrations which exist from legal disagreements over blood and money and the “straight talk” about the cost. )
A recent article in the New York Times, www.nytimes.com, tells trustees what they already should know: watch the fees which is spent investing the trust portfolio.
Some people find the probate process stressful or frustrating. Many times, that’s because family members or heirs, let alone estate beneficiaries, are not that knowledgeable about how an estate is administered. It’s not uncommon that family members don’t know how a probate administration works. And, admittedly, many beneficiaries of estates and revocable trusts are a bit dis-trustful, even suspicious.
Can You Get Justice in Estate Litigation? Most experienced Palm Beach probate lawyers who actually try cases would say “no” What you CAN get from a probate is information & answers….and…. An opportunity to be heard — to make your case
Every Palm Beach trustee knows that you need to invest “prudently” and that you must be a “prudent” trustee. After all, Florida’s probate code references the prudent investor rule, as does the Florida trust code.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is enough. Dealing with $ and family….well…. That’s another thing
Is Everyboy Lined Up? Clients tell us disgusting tales of family members counting their inheritance on the way to the funeral………. Or over the casket at the gravesite Others tell of everyone lined up for their inheritance
Most of you know me as a probate trial lawyer, trying inheritance cases from Palm Beach Gardens to Delray Beach. I also love to travel and love all things Italian. (They do so much right ! Art, food, wine, cars, fashion ….) Our West Palm Beach probate law firm spends a lot of time in the probate court, but we also eat and drink too much coffee. Most of the time, we are eating between court appearances, client meetings or probate research on Clematis Street. We go to the Starbucks on Clematis a lot: it’s literally around the corner from our West Palm Beach probate litigation law firm.