Clearwater Probate Litigation Attorney
Probate is the required legal process of ensuring the validity of Wills and related documents and preparing for the distribution of the estate. It should be minimized to the extent possible, via Trusts and other documents, with the assistance of an Elder Law or estate planning attorney.
Even if the decedent had a Will, the estate must go through probate to ensure the Will's validity, among other things. If there is no Will, Florida state law controls what happens to the estate. Smaller estates (under $75,000) qualify for summary administration, in which assets may be distributed promptly, unless there are significant outstanding debts.
AV Preeminent* rated, Master of Laws in Elder Law, member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), member of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys (AFELA)
Avoiding Probate
If action was taken while the decedent was living, to establish Trusts, place assets in joint ownership, etc., then the probate process will be simpler and faster, but it will still take several months.
Services our law firm provides include:
- Gathering and preserving assets
- Obtaining property valuations
- Paying legitimate debts
- Selling or disposing of property
- Distributing remaining assets to the beneficiaries
- Considering tax implications of the estate
A close working relationship with your attorney is essential during probate, to be properly and timely advised of pertinent laws and obligations.
Litigation
If a Will contest should arise over the validity of one or more Wills, our firm can represent your interests with competence and dedication.
The Charles Law Offices provides comprehensive legal services to people in the Tampa Bay area. Pinellas Park probate litigation attorney Susan Charles holds not only a Juris Doctor, but an LL.M. (Master of Laws, an advanced law degree) in Elder Law. Contact the firm today.
*AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and general ethical standards.
