Although the primary focus of your estate plan may be to ensure that your estate assets are distributed according to your wishes after you are gone, there are other goals that you may wish to consider when creating your estate plan as well. For example, you may wish to consider the impact probate will have … The post Non-Probate Assets and Why They Matter appeared first on Stivers Law ..read more

The loss of a loved one is difficult enough without additional circumstances that raise questions about the validity of the Last Will and Testament left by the decedent. Sometimes, however, those questions cannot be avoided, and a Will contest ensues. One of the most common claims in a Will contest is that the Testator lacked … The post How Do I Prove Lack of Testamentary Capacity in a Will Contest? appeared first on Stivers Law ..read more

When a loved one dies, the period following that loss is often mired by heightened emotions that can keep surviving loved ones from thinking clearly. At the same time, there are practical and legal steps that must be taken to get through the probate of the decedent’s estate. Given the heightened emotional state that loved … The post 4 Common Probate Mistakes You Can Avoid Making appeared first on Stivers Law ..read more

After someone dies, one of the first things that must occur is locating the decedent’s Last Will and Testament if one exists. If the Will is located, it should indicate who the decedent appointed to be the Executor of the estate. If it turns out that you were appointed to be the Executor, you may … The post Can an Appointed Executor Turn Down the Job? appeared first on Stivers Law ..read more

Probating an Estate in Florida When a loved one passes away, the grieving process that follows can be a difficult time. It can be hard enough to focus on your daily life without also overseeing the administration of the decedent’s estate. If the decedent appointed you as the Executor of the estate, or if you … The post What Is Involved in Probating an Estate in Florida? appeared first on Stivers Law ..read more

Marriage is a beautiful time for anyone’s life. The union of two people prepared to stay together for the rest of their lives not only is personally fulfilling, but it also comes with several protections under the law all the way from creditor protections to tax benefits. But did you know that marriage comes with … The post Marriage and Probate in the State of Florida appeared first on Stivers Law ..read more

If you are currently grieving the loss of a loved one, the last thing you probably want to do is focus on the legal steps that need to be taken because of that death.  If the decedent appointed you to be the Executor of the estate in his/her Last Will and Testament, however, it means … The post What Are the Steps Involved in Probating an Estate? appeared first on Stivers Law ..read more

In 2021, court hearings may look a little different than you expect.  But whether the hearing is on Zoom (or another video conference platform) or in-person – here is what you can expect: A hearing in a probate case is an opportunity for your attorney and any other parties to communicate with the judge about … The post Inside the Courtroom: What Happens During a Probate Hearing?? appeared first on Stivers Law ..read more

The typical, straightforward probate cases that we handle usually take about three to six months from the initial filing to the close of the case.  Why do some cases take more than six months and sometimes even years?  This article covers three common reasons that a probate case may take up to years to complete.  … The post Three Reasons a Florida Probate May Take YEARS appeared first on Stivers Law ..read more

After a family member passes away, survivors are expected to tackle complex procedures known as probate in order to close their loved one’s estate. Probate is a complicated legal process that involves attorneys, judges, and overwhelming paperwork, and it can take six months or more to fully resolve. During this time, survivors must wait to occupy, sell, … The post Miami Probate Attorney Helping You Sail Through Your Florida Probate No Matter Where You Live appeared first on Stivers Law ..read more