What happens after this information is filed with the
clerk?
The court will enter an order either allowing or
disallowing the release of assets. A certified copy of the Order is then mailed
to the petitioner.
What is Probate in Florida? Probate refers to the combined
result of all the procedural acts necessary to establish the validity of a will.
It is a legal process through which the assets of a deceased person are
collected and inventoried, distributed to pay creditors' claims against the
estate, and, if there are remaining assets, distributed to the heirs or
beneficiaries. The Court determines the validity of the will and oversees the
process to ensure that the estate is properly administered. The courts
will ensure that the deceased person's property and possessions are divided
honestly and fairly.
How are probate proceedings initiated? Probate proceedings are
initiated with the filing of a petition by an interested person asking to be
appointed personal representative or to distribute property depending on size
and complexity of property. The petition is normally prepared by an attorney.
The personal representative will be responsible for the estate until all bills
are paid and the balance of the estate is distributed to the rightful
beneficiaries and they are discharged by the court.
Are there different types of proceedings that can be filed depending on
the size of the estate in Florida? Yes. There are three basic types of
proceedings for administering the decedent's estate:
What is a will? When and where should it be filed? A will is a
document executed by a person which expresses that person's wishes as to how
property is to be disposed of after the person's death. A will usually names a
personal representative to administer the estate. The custodian of the will must
deposit the will in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 10 days
of receiving information that the person is deceased. The custodian should
deposit the will with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the
decedent resided. The custodian must supply the person's date of death or the
person's social security number to the Clerk upon deposit of the will, if this
information is available.
Do you need an attorney to deposit the will with the Clerk in Florida?
No. An attorney is not necessary to deposit the will with the Florida
Courts. However, you may want to consult with an attorney before filing so that
he or she may determine whether probate proceedings are necessary.
What happens if a person dies and has left no will in Florida?
If a person dies intestate (without a will), the person's property will be
distributed according to Florida law.
Can a person who is not a Florida resident serve as a personal
representative? A person who is not a Florida resident cannot serve as
a personal representative unless he or she qualifies under one of the following
exceptions.
The person is a legally adopted child or adoptive parent of the decedent.
The person is related by lineal consanguinity to the decedent.
The person is a spouse, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the
decedent; or the person is related by lineal consanguinity to one of these
people.
The person is a spouse of any person listed in numbers 1 through 3 above.
What happens if there is a will filed but no personal representative has
been named? It will be necessary for an attorney to petition the Court
to appoint a personal representative to administer the estate if there are
assets in the decedent's name alone.
Can more than one person serve as a personal
representative? Yes, more than one person can serve as personal
representatives. You can even switch personal representatives after the
process has started.
My spouse has died. Do I have to go through probate just to gain access to
the checking account? Yes, if the account is held solely in the name
of an individual who has died. Any asset, including a checking account that is
frozen at the time of death, cannot be made available to you without some sort
of court order.
What if the account is in both our names? No. In that case, the
checking account (and all assets owned in both your names) passes to you by
rights of survivorship. However, you should record a certified copy of the death
certificate in the Official Records of the county without cause of death.
Where do I get the death certificate from? Death certificates are
obtained from the Health Department of the county where the decedent died.
When will the court appoint a guardian? Generally, if a child is
living apart from his natural parents, or if he has received a financial
settlement or inheritance of $15,000 or more. The court will appoint a guardian
for an adult if he is no longer able to care for himself or his property.
Can I represent myself? Yes, if you are the sole heir to an estate.
But you should know the law. You must be represented by counsel in a
guardianship.
(You should consult an attorney for more
information on the Probate process. We are not attorneys and therefore can
not and are not rendering legal advise.)
Source: Orange County Clerk of Court (Florida) and
Seminole County Clerk of Courts (Florida)
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