Death is an unfortunate but inevitable part of life. When a loved one dies, the last thing on your mind is how to divide up their assets. However, this, as with everything else, is something that you will have to face up to eventually. When you do, the world of probate law can have you scratching your head in confusion.
In this article, we take a look at what probate law is, how it works in Florida, and how you can get the help you need if you find yourself in charge of someone else’s estate after their death. The good news is that managing the rebate process in Florida is relatively straightforward, and there are people who can help you with it.
What is Probate Law?
Probate law is the set of laws and regulations that specify what happens to someone’s estate after they die. This includes the process by which their last will is ‘proven’ and then subsequently executed. The basic principles of probate law are the same throughout the United States, but there are a number of differences in the way the process unfolds between states.
If you have never handled probate law in Florida before, the procedures involved may be new to you. If you’ve handled probate law in another state, you should have a pretty good idea of what to expect.
How Does the Process Work in Florida?
There are three steps involved in the Florida Probate Process. Each stage is overseen by a probate court judge and lawyers for the estate. They work with the client to handle the financial assets of a deceased person.
To begin with, you will need to gather together all the records you can regarding the decedent’s assets. Next, you will need to pay off any debts that they had and cover any expenses and other legal obligations attached to their estate. This is in addition to the expenses associated with the rebate process itself, for which you will also be liable.
Finally, you can divest the remaining assets according to the decedent’s last wishes. If they have named you as the executor of their estate then it may be for you to decide what happens with the decedent’s possessions.
Hiring a Lawyer
Hiring a probate lawyer to handle things when you are responsible for executing an estate can have a number of advantages. First and foremost, having a professional handle some or most of the process will greatly reduce stress for you, leaving you free to focus on all the other necessary arrangements that come with death.
If you are also working a job and have a career to tend to while you are dealing with the aftermath of someone close to you dying, things can rapidly become overwhelming. In order to avoid this, hiring a probate lawyer can be a very wise move.
When someone close to you dies, there will be lots of things for you to worry about, so there’s no sense in making the execution of their estate one of them. Hiring a probate lawyer will save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run.