Understanding the probate process in Florida may be able to help some of our readers with their concerns associated with estates and the courts. It may also help them better navigate the process during a difficult time following the loss of a loved one.
The probate process is supervised by the courts and is a process for identifying and gathering assets of the deceased individual, paying the deceased individual’s debts and distributing the deceased individual’s assets to beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be. In Florida, there are two types of probate administration: formal administration and summary administration. There is also a process to dispose of probate assets in the deceased individual’s name alone, such as a bank account, life insurance policy or real estate, that is a non-court supervised process.
The probate process is necessary when the deceased individual did not have a will. The probate process is also necessary to conclude the deceased individual’s financial affairs and to ensure all of the deceased individual’s creditors are paid. In addition, it ensures proper procedures are followed after the deceased individual’s death and in the administration of the estate.
The Florida probate process begins when the probate proceedings are filed with the local clerk and the necessary fee is paid. The probate process may seem daunting in some circumstances, which is why it can be helpful to understand the basics of the process and how it helps families following the loss of a loved one. Our readers may benefit from getting more information about their own specific probate issues.