Search Results: heirs

If a Florida will was not signed properly–or not signed by the person and witnesses in the proper order– it is not valid. What do you need to know about a Florida will signing? Well, many heirs and family members often have questions about a will challenge. Knowing how to make a claim is super important. In some cases, you may have less than 3 months to object to a will. Let’s talk about the legal requirements for a valid Florida will signing. For a free video on objecting to a will, CLICK HERE. Florida Legal Requirements For a will to be valid in Florida, most probate lawyers know the rules. Here they are in a nutshell: The person must sign the will in front of two witnesses, who likewise sign the will in front of the person and each other. The will must be signed at the end. And that’s it ! Or, you could simply read Florida Probate Statute 732.502. That law is the law for how to sign a will. (For a free Florida probate video on over-turning a will, click HERE.) Don’t Forget the Self-Proving Affidavit But, how do you prove that this was done? Well, most probate lawyers have a self proving affidavit. Florida Probate Law 732.503 even gives you the form. The self proving affidavit includes a statement from the notary that the person and the witnesses actually signed the will in the notary’s presence. What’s the big deal with the Florida self-proving affidavit? […]

Forgery is serious business. And, in Florida, such allegations are not new or out of the ordinary. Do you know how many people allege that a will or trust was forged? Or, rather, that mom or dad’s signature on a will was a forgery? Understanding the law of forgery is important to winning your case. Perhaps even more so if you are defending a signature or deed that is alleged to be a forgery. So, whether you are claiming a forgery occurred or are answering a Florida forgery lawsuit, here is some helpful insight to your Florida lawsuit. (For a free Florida probate video on whether a will is a forgery, simply click HERE.) A Forgery….. really? So, if you ask any serious, experienced, probate trial lawyer, what would they say? They would say that very few forgeries are proven. Maybe because in most cases, clear and convincing evidence is required to prove a forgery. Maybe because forgery is such a brazen act, right? Often times, forgeries are not alleged (discovered) until one passes away. I mean it’s rare for a living person to learn that her signature was forged. One of the best ways to learn a lot about a legal topic quickly to is read appellate opinions. You know, cases. What judges write. To read a 2017 Florida appellate court opinion on forgery, CLICK HERE. But in many cases, that’s exactly what happens. Mom or dad die in Florida. There’s a deed going to someone. And family members […]

Do you believe a will was forged? Or a signature to the will was? If so, you may only have a limited time to act. How will you exercise your rights or make your claim? To view a FREE WILL FORGERY FLORIDA video, click HERE. To learn more about this topic, including an important appellate opinion on Florida forgery law, keep reading. Appellate Case On September 6, 2017, Florida’s 3rd District Court of Appeal issued an important opinion. While it is not a will or trust case, it tells you “all” you need to know about forgery in Florida. Bennet v. Mortgage Electronic Registration Services, Inc. goes into depth explaining this topic. But wait, there’s more! If you want to read a will case that explains and discusses the requirements for signing and witnessing a will, click HERE. The case of Jordan v. Fehr is from the 1st District Court of Appeal. It is a 2005 appellate opinion dealing with a will appeal. Will Forgery Florida If a will is not executed with the formalities required by the Florida Probate Code, it is not valid. And any document such as a will or trust which is forged is not valid. When someone comes forth with a will, how do you know the signature is valid? Well, usually you have witnesses and a notary and a self-proving affidavit. But, you have to tell the court what is the product of a forgery. Is the signature of the now deceased Florida resident […]

An interpleader contingency lawyer may be the “car” that drives you to the courthouse door ! (Keys to the courthouse door? Perhaps….) And gets you your inheritance. IF you can find one. After all, there are not a lot of lawyers who take inheritance or interpleader cases on a contingency fee basis. And, if you do find one, how do you know that they have the experience and aggressiveness that most consumers want? To learn about interpleader lawyers, you can read more by clicking HERE. To consider more about finding a contingency fee lawyer or learning more about how this may assist you with your case, keeping reading. What is Interpleader? Interpleader is an action or lawsuit by a “stakeholder.” The stakeholder typically has possession of money or property or funds. What kind of funds? Think millions and millions (no exaggeration !!) of dollars in Florida life insurance proceeds. And IRAs. Mutual funds. Bank Accounts. Brokerage and financial accounts. A typical stakeholder is an insurance company, or annuity company or mutual fund company or bank. When there are competing claims to the money, the stakeholder asks a court to deposit the money with the court. With the court’s registry. And they want to go and be done. All that’s left is for the family members, heirs, beneficiaries (or others) to fight it out. In the end, a judge will tell you who inherits. When Does an Interpleader Contingency Lawyer Make Sense? Legal services are expensive. Let’s face it. Aggressive or […]

Did you get notice of an interpleader action? Life insurance policy proceeds? Bank account? IRA or mutual funds? If you did, you only have a limited time to make your claim to the money. Understanding how to make your claim and prepare for victory can involve finding an experienced Florida interpleader lawyer. We have previously written about federal court interpleader. Now, let’s talk a bit more about this important topic. After all, you only get one chance. Talking to the Stakeholder and Making a Claim Most “stakeholders” like insurance companies don’t want to get involved in litigation. They have the insurance proceeds or annuity. When there is a doubt about who inherits those funds, they can interplead those funds into a Florida court registry. Having a lawyer who can talk to the company’s lawyers can help. Often, you can find out how much is at stake and get statements and information quickly. And then the people can make their claims without the insurance or annuity company involved. Who? Like heirs, beneficiaries and family members who believe they inherit the IRA or bank account or death proceeds. Interpleader actions can occur in state court and federal court. In exchange for “getting rid of the money” the “stakeholder” seeks to be discharged and removed from the case. That just leaves the family members or heirs to make their claims. Florida Interpleader Lawyer Ask any experienced interpleader attorney and they will tell you that literally millions of dollars are on the line. “I […]

Did you just get notice of a federal court interpleader? If you are wondering why you have not received an annuity or life insurance proceeds, read on. You’ll learn all about what an interpleader attorney Florida does. And how you may inherit millions. We have previously written about federal court litigation. Notably, how probate matters don’t go to federal court. Now, learn how federal court may be the place to claim your inherited annuity or insurance money. And also consider recent state court Florida interpleader actions. What is Interpleader? Interpleader is a lawsuit or a court filing or “action.” It involves someone who has property belonging to another. That someone who is in possession of the property is referred to as a “stakeholder.” The stakeholder may have artwork, jewels, death proceeds or insurance proceeds from a life insurance policy. Or, simply annuity proceeds. Literally millions and millions of dollars are the subject of interpleader actions filed in Florida state courts. And also federal court in Florida. An experienced interpleader attorney Florida will have results from both state court and federal court. The purpose of such an action is to have the stakeholder properly deposit ( i.e. get rid of) the property in their hands. The those making claims for the annuity or life insurance can “fight” it out. And the court will decide who inherits the insurance or annuity. Interpleader Attorney Florida Generally speaking, the “plaintiff” to the action simply wants to deposit the property or money or funds and […]

A Florida Power of Appointment might mean that you inherit millions. Or not. Certain family members and heirs may be entitled to know about these odd “creatures” hidden in a Florida Trust Document. If you don’t inherit under a power of appointment, you may or may not have rights to find out WHY you did not inherit. One of the most frustrating things about them may be that your mom or dad has the right–the power!– to give you money or property. A January, 2021 case from Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal discusses this legal topic. To learn more, read on. Where Can I Read More about Florida Power of Appointment? To read about Florida Power of Appointment, there are two places to start. First, start with Part 1 of Chapter 709 Florida Statues. Most people think of Chapter 709 as dealing with Powers of Attorney, like a durable power of attorney. That’s Part 2. Part 1 deals with Florida power of appointment. Second, did you know that someone with a power of appointment can bind other beneficiaries or even family members? Read a very specific part of the Florida Trust Code. Read 736.0302, Florida Statutes. This is super important. Why? Understanding the Basics A person who creates, or gives, or grants, a power of appointment is called the power creator. A power of appointment is the right, but not necessary an obligation, to give away property. To “appoint” certain property, or a property interest, to others. A person […]

Can you sue for probate malpractice Florida? Understanding WHO can sue is important. Perhaps more important is understanding WHAT you can sue for. What is PROBATE MALPRACTICE FLORIDA? And how do you exercise your rights when you have been damaged? Probate malpractice is very similar to, or may be described as, Estate Planning Malpractice. If you have been harmed in an estate or Florida probate, read on. Probate Mistakes, Wrongs and $$ Everyone is stuck with the probate process, right? I mean, Florida law says that when people die with property, you have to “jump through these hoops.” Why? ….Well, that’s the law ! The deceased Florida resident’s property has to be gathered properly. That’s what Florida probate lawyers call “marshal.” And then the deceased person’s debts need to be paid. IRS, last federal income taxes, the CPA, credit card bills, auto loan, pool cleaning, water bill, cable, FPL, HOA, etc. etc. And then, funeral expenses and the estate lawyers need to be paid. Yes, there are “expenses of administration.” And all of these get paid before a Florida beneficiary sees a dime of inheritance. Don’t like it? Sorry, folks. That’s the law!! And, what is left over, goes to the BENEFICIARIES! But, you have to be an “interested person” to sue. You have to be personally damaged. THAT’s who can sue for probate malpractice Florida. An interested person is generally defined as a beneficiary or a creditor of the estate. It can include certain children, spouses, and heirs. Now, […]

The rights of non-clients to sue your parents’ estate planning lawyer seem to be increasing. At least in Florida. A recent Florida Appeals Court opinion on estate planning malpractice Florida helps guide family members and heirs. This legal commentary will discuss whether you can sue your grandmother’s trust lawyer. Understanding Florida Malpractice Legal malpractice is a cause of action, or lawsuit, that is brought against a Florida lawyer. It is often referred to as professional negligence. A Florida lawyer commits malpractice when their standard of care, their services, or failure to provide services, fall(s) below the standard. What standard? The standard of a reasonable attorney in that particular geography. Providing bad legal services can be as simple as not telling your client that she has rights. Or a cause of action against someone. But, can a trust beneficiary, heir, son or daughter sue mom or dad’s attorney who wrote the wills and trusts? Estate Planning Malpractice Florida Many times, family members or adult sons and daughters want to sue mom or dad’s estate planning lawyer. But, many times, heirs are prevented from suing for estate planning malpractice Florida. Why? Three of the most common defenses to professional negligence include blowing the statute of limitations. You didn’t sue fast enough. The statute of limitations for legal malpractice is 2 years. Read Chapter 95.11 (4)(a), Florida Statutes. (To read about stopping or “suspending” or tolling that time period and the computation of time, read the entire CHAPTER.) And remember: a letter won’t […]

Billions and billions of dollars flow through and around Florida probates. Many times the Florida resident uses a last will to leave inheritances. Sometimes, the will pours over into a revocable trust. Which is now irrevocable. To understand your rights, you need to understand the Florida Probate Code. Whether you are a trustee or a beneficiary who got cut out. Think of the probate code as two big volumes of laws. One tells you who inherits if there is no will. The other tells you all about probating a Florida will. For an easy-2-understand, Plain-English look at the Florida Probate Code, read below. For a free VIDEO library of insightful, free Florida Estate and Trust Topics, click HERE. The Basics The Florida Probate Code is made up of statutes. Florida laws. They are different than the Florida Probate Rules. And the rules of civil procedure. The probate code has a lot of definitions. It also tells you about starting a probate. Starting the administration process. Why is that important? Because that’s what the law says. When we die, there are all these special rules for dealing with the dead person’s money. And her creditors. And expenses of administration. Beneficiaries get paid last. When there is not enough money to give out, the probate code has laws for that, too. There are many, many rules for gifts or inheritances. Like, what if a piece of land is left to you in the will. But the land was sold 5 years ago. […]