Having a will is not the end of an estate. Instead, it is the legal document that states your wishes. Probate court is where the will is actually executed. Nearly all estates in Florida must go through probate. The process can take up to a year, and even more if there is litigation.
Depending on the circumstances, probate can be a difficult and tedious process. Hiring a probate lawyer in St. Augustine can help you deal with any issues that arise and make sure that all the filings are correct.
To many, probate is an arcane and opaque system that is difficult to understand. For starters, some of the following things may happen in probate:
First, probate is a very technical process with strict deadlines. Documents need to be filed correctly and timely to keep probate moving. If not, you may face delays. Probate can also mean litigation as different parties try to get what they can from the estate.
Probate attorneys are legally required for nearly all Florida estates. Besides the legal requirement, probate attorneys can represent your interests when there is tension among family members, or the estate has high debts. While probate will take time, your attorney can help minimize some of the issues that can cause delays. They will also ease the burden on you as you deal with a difficult time of grieving the loss of a loved one.
The St Johns, Flager, Clay, and Putnam County probate attorneys at Naples & Spence, Attorneys at Law, can represent your interests in the process whether you are an executor or family member. Contact us online or call us today at 904.657.7117.