what does an attorney do in probating a will

Specifically, here are some of the common tasks a probate lawyer may assist an executor and beneficiaries with during the probate process:

• Collecting proceeds from life insurance policies
• Identifying and securing estate assets
• Obtaining appraisals for the decedent’s real property
• Assisting in the payment of bills and debts
• Preparing and filing all documents required by a probate court
• Determining if any estate or inheritance taxes are due, and making sure those debts are satisfied
• Resolving income tax issues

Full Answer

Do I need a probate attorney in Florida?

Do I Need a Lawyer for Florida Probate? Yes, in almost all cases you will need a Florida Probate Lawyer. Except for “disposition without administration” (very small estates) and those estates in which the executor (personal representative) is the sole beneficiary, Florida law requires the assistance of an attorney.

How does probate work in Florida?

Probate, also called “estate administration,” is a court process that transfers assets owned by a deceased person to living people. When someone dies in Florida the things they own go to their family or, if they have a will, to the beneficiaries named in that document.

What are the stages of probate?

Here we provide a helpful guide to the probate process, which can be broken down into five key steps:Step One – The Immediate Post-Death Requirements. ... Step Two – Valuing the estate. ... Step Three – Preparing the IHT Return. ... Step Four – Applying for the Grant. ... Step Five – Post-Grant Estate Administration.

What is the cost of probate in Florida?

For estates between $40,000 and $70,000: $2,250. For estates between $70,000 and $100,000: $3,000. For estates between $100,000 and $900,000: 3% of the estate's value. For estates between $1 million and $3 million: 2.5%

Do you have to go through probate if you have a will in Florida?

Does a Will Have to Be Probated in Florida? Anyone who has possession of a will must file it with the county court after the person dies, according to Florida law. It doesn't matter whether the estate will need to go through probate. The will must still be validated by the court.

How much does an estate have to be worth to go to probate in Florida?

$75,000In Florida, the probate process is used to settle an estate, including all property, and assets of a deceased person. When a person dies, probate is required for any estate with non-exempt assets worth more than $75,000.

What assets are exempt from probate in Florida?

Assets that are exempt from probate in Florida include:Revocable Trusts. ... Designated Beneficiaries. ... Transfer on Death. ... Joint Title with Rights of Survivorship. ... Tenancy By Entireties. ... Florida Homestead.

How long does the probate process take in Florida?

6-9 monthsThe formal probate administration usually takes 6-9 months under most circumstances - start to finish. This process includes appointing a personal representative (i.e., the "executor"), a 90 days creditor's period that must run, payment of creditor's claims and more.

How long do you have to keep a probate case open?

State law requires you to keep the probate case open for months, to give people time to come forward with disputes or claims—but in most probates, beneficiaries don't argue about anything in court, and few creditors submit formal claims. By all means, ask the lawyer any questions you have about the proceeding.

What to do when winding up an estate?

When you're winding up an estate, there's usually a lot of legwork to be done—things like making phone calls and gathering documents. Many of these tasks don't need to be done by someone with a law degree. So if you're paying the lawyer by the hour, you'll probably want to volunteer to take on some of this work yourself.

Do lawyers take responsibility for probate?

In other words, many lawyers no longer insist on taking responsibility for all the work of a probate case.

What Does a Probate Lawyer Do?

When a person passes away, they leave behind a number of assets, such as their personal belongings, a home, money, etc. Most people appoint an executor of will to be in charge of disbursing these assets to any other beneficiaries.

How many years of experience do probate lawyers have?

Any probate lawyer you work with should have at least several years of experience. If your case is complicated, you should also make sure they have worked in similar circumstances. This way you know they can handle any problems that come up along the way.

What happens if someone dies without a will?

If someone dies without a will, all their assets must be dispersed according to intestacy laws. In other words, the state will distribute the assets—regardless of what the person may have wanted. For cases like these, you can hire a probate lawyer to help the administrator of the estate (which is kind of like the executor of will) ...

What to do if someone passes away with life insurance?

Handling the proceeds from life insurance. Filling out any necessary documents. If the person who passed away had any debt or bills they failed to pay, a probate lawyer will also advise the executor of will on the best way to handle these issues.

Can a lawyer assist you with probate?

The true answer depends on what you need help with and where the lawyer would be able to assist you. These types of lawyers are specialized to be able to perform a number of tasks involved with the probate process on your behalf.

Is it better to hire a lawyer for probate?

However, in most cases, it's better to hire a probate lawyer. Since they know the probate laws inside and out, a lawyer will be able to guide you through the steps quickly and efficiently. They'll also be able to take care of troublesome paperwork and ensure you don't make any mistakes that can turn into bigger problems later.

What does a probate lawyer do?

Specifically, here are some of the common tasks a probate lawyer may assist an executor and beneficiaries with during the probate process:

What is the job of a probate attorney?

Obtaining appraisals for the decedent’s real property. Assisting in the payment of bills and debts. Preparing and filing all documents required by a probate court. Determining if any estate or inheritance taxes are due, and making sure those debts are satisfied. Resolving income tax issues.

What happens to an estate when someone passes away?

When a person passes away, their assets must be disbursed in a manner consistent with state laws and following the directions they put forth when they were alive, as stated in their will . A probate lawyer guides the executor of will or beneficiaries of an estate through the probate process: From identifying estate assets and beneficiaries to distributing assets and inheritances.

Have questions about working with a probate lawyer?

We’re happy to answer your questions. RMO Lawyers helps people just like you everyday. So, call anytime: (424) 320-9444, or email us at: [email protected]

Who supervises the probate process?

The court and probate court judge will supervise this process, as you will petition the court for approval prior to making these distributions. The court’s role is to ensure that the executor is acting fairly and that all obligations of the estate have been satisfied.

What is probate court?

The probate court process is simply the legal process by which the court oversees the settlement of an estate after someone dies. You’ll want to avoid probate court if you can, but many of the steps in the process of probating a will are steps you’ll need to take regardless of whether the will is probated formally in the court system.

What is the only way to remove a deceased party from a property title?

If the jointly owned asset is real estate, probate is the only way to remove the deceased party from the title. In some states, small estates (with values of less than $50,000 or $100,000 may not require probate regardless of titles changing hands.

How long does it take to get a will probated?

A simple estate plan can be probated in as little as three months. If an estate is complex or the will is challenged, the process can take a year or longer. An estate may be subject to probate whether a will exists or not, depending on how assets are held in the estate.

What is the process of closing an estate?

Close the Estate. The court will formally close the estate, completing the probate process and your role as executor. The probate process, while intimidating to many, is a manageable process and will help provide some structure to the estate settlement process.

How long does probate take?

Finally, probate can describe the process, from start to finish, of settling a deceased person’s estate, as in, “The probate lawyer advised me probate can take more than 12 months .” In this case, probate would refer to the process of making sure the will is valid, distributing property and assets, paying off any final bills, taxes, and other debts.

Who purchases probate bonds?

A probate bond is purchased by the executor and typically reimbursed by the estate. The bond guarantees that you will comply with federal and state laws and complete your duties ethically. If you do not fulfill your duties as an executor, someone can make a claim against the bond.

Do lawyers owe fiduciary duty?

To be clear, this question is specifically about whether a lawyer owes the heirs of a probate estate a fiduciary duty, and not whether a lawyer owes a fiduciary duty in other contexts, such as to the beneficiaries of a trust when hired by a trustee, or a ward when hired by a guardian or conservator. The answer varies depending on each different circumstance.

Does a probate attorney have a fiduciary duty?

Turning back to the question, whether the probate attorney owes a fiduciary duty the heirs of the estate depends on the state in which the estate is being probated. Only a few states require the lawyer to meet the same fiduciary duty to the estate heirs as the Personal Representative . These states believe that since the Personal Representative owes a fiduciary duty to the heirs and the lawyer owes a fiduciary duty to the Personal Representative, the duty flows from the Personal Representative to the lawyer.

Does a probate lawyer owe fiduciary duty to the estate?

Most states, (including Maryland and the District of Columbia) however, take the position that the probate lawyer does not owe a fiduciary duty to the estate heirs. These states view the fiduciary duty owed by the Personal Representative to the heirs as unique from the fiduciary duty owed by the lawyer to the Personal Representative. Also, these states want to maintain the Personal Representative’s ability to have protected communication with the attorney.

What is probate in a will?

It’s easiest to think about probate as a supervised process that ensures the proper Beneficiaries receive the appropriate titles and assets from your estate. In cases where no Will or Trust is present, it is the court’s job to appoint someone to represent your estate. This Personal Representative will handle all the things an Executor would if a Will had been present. Some assets and property in an estate will always go through probate, while others (like those in a Trust) will not.

How does probate work in court?

The biggest difference is that when no Will is present, the court will appoint someone as a Personal Representative to oversee distribution of your belongings.

When is Probate Necessary?

Unless you properly plan, your estate will go through the probate process. That said, the process is greatly simplified, or potentially even totally avoided, when you have a solid Estate Plan in place. The more planning you do now, the easier it will be on your loved ones after you pass.

How long does probate take?

Without the presence of a Will, probate can take a long time (sometimes years). While cost can vary depending on your state, probate generally means Executor fees, administrative expenses and legal fees. The longer probate takes, the more fees there will be. And finally, one of the biggest reasons people may hope to avoid probate is for privacy reasons. Probate processes are public, but creating a Trust keeps the distribution of assets private.

What happens during probate?

During probate, a court will first authenticate your Will, and then authorize your Executor to pay all debts and taxes and distribute your remaining property accordingly, per the instructions you leave. You probably have many questions about probate, so read on to learn everything you need to know.

What happens when you die in a living trust?

So when you die, the named Trustee manages, per your guidance, all the assets inside of it.

Why do you need to authenticate a will?

Your Will must be authenticated by the court to ensure it was properly signed and dated in accordance with the law. Once this is done, your Will is considered valid.

How to file a will for probate?

Step 1: Filing. Once a will has been located , the first step in the probate process is filing a petition with the probate court requesting that the will be probated. The probate petition asks that the executor formally be appointed to act on behalf of the estate. All heirs and beneficiaries must receive notice that the petition has been filed.

How long does probate take?

The entire probate process can take a few months to a year or longer , depending on the estate's complexity and the court's calendar.

What is probate in 2021?

Probate is the legal process a will must go through to establish its validity before anything can be distributed to the beneficiaries. The testator, meaning the person writing the will, names an executor in the will whose job it is to move the will through the probate process.

What assets do executors have to disclose?

Assets include real estate, vehicles, investments, bank accounts, cash, personal property, intellectual property, and pets.

What happens if there is no will?

If there is no will, a petition is filed seeking administration of the estate, and a notice of administration must be given to all legal heirs. The person filing the petition requests that the court appoint them as the estate's personal representative, a role similar to that of executor.

Who takes legal control of a trust?

The executor takes legal control of these assets. On the other hand, assets owned by a trust, such as a living trust, are not probate assets and are not distributed by the probate court. The executor or personal representative must inform all known creditors of the estate proceeding.

Who distributes the remaining assets according to the testator's wishes?

Once all of the creditors have been paid, the executor or personal representative distributes the remaining assets according to the testator's wishes if there is a will, or according to state intestacy statutes if there is no will.

What Does Probate Involve?

When someone dies, survivors must do certain things such as arranging a funeral or obtaining a death certificate, and figuring out what to do with all the loved one’s belongings, both tangible and intangible, such as bank accounts, mortgages, and more. This is where probate comes in.

How Do Probate Laws Work in Pennsylvania?

As part of this legal process, the probate court will validate the decedent’s last will and testament, distribute assets to the heirs, and settle all debts.

How to Start the Probate Process in Pennsylvania?

To begin the probate process, the executor must contact the local court office and file papers, or petitions, and the process may take a matter of weeks or even years , depending on the estate’s magnitude. A majority of states offer a variety of probate procedures, and they usually offer at least one option to avoid probate completely, which can be beneficial to loved ones and family since they can receive inheritances sooner.

When Is Probate Required in Pennsylvania?

Probate is not always necessary, and this is true whether the decedent died testate or intestate (died with or without a valid will).