What Is Estate Administration?
Put simply, estate administration is the process by which one’s final estate affairs are settled. It includes a variety of tasks, including paying any debts owed by the decedent (the deceased person), accounting for and cataloging estate assets, filing a final tax return and distributing assets according to either existing documents or Florida law. How estate administration unfolds and the steps involved will ultimately depend on the size of the estate, the specific assets it contains and how/whether the decedent crafted an estate plan. Estate administration often involves court proceedings known as probate, but probate can sometimes be avoided. Taking care of these numerous and complex matters is best achieved under the guidance of a skilled attorney.
At The King Firm, PA, our attorneys are efficient, effective estate administration representatives. They work with families, personal representatives and trustees who are facing any and all estate and probate matters. They work to help clients resolve their questions and move forward with speed and confidence to minimize the costs and pain points associated with wrapping up estate matters.
When To Get A Lawyer Involved
It’s a good idea to do your own general assessment of the estate and identify the assets or tasks you might need help with before contacting an attorney. Generally, you won’t need an attorney until you start running into issues that are too complex to resolve on your own. When trying to sell property, for instance, you may discover that the names on the title are incorrect. You might also run into trouble when trying to close a loved one’s bank account because mechanisms for third-party access were never put in place.
No matter where you are in the estate administration process, our attorneys are ready to step in and assist whenever and however you need help.
How Our Team Helps With Estate Administration
The first thing our lawyers do with our clients is look through the last will and testament to ensure that you understand it. We then work toward helping you fulfill the terms of the will. If there isn’t a will, we can help you determine who the heirs are under Florida’s Laws of Intestacy.
Whether there is a will or not, we can identify potential issues and areas for concern in these initial conversations. We can also provide guidance and answer questions that clients often have, such as the following:
- Will I need to go through probate court?
- What does probate entail and how long does it take?
- How do I find all the assets?
- Will I need to appear in court?
- Am I being compensated for all my time on this?
- What will this cost?
Our attorneys’ understanding of Florida’s law around the Florida Probate Code can be an asset to you. You can utilize their insight and skills to make the entire administration process a lot easier for you.
Find Clarity From Our Team
Clarity in estate administration issues ranging from probate court to intestacy is often hard to find. However, our lawyers are here to provide the answers that you need when you need them. Your goals and needs demand attentiveness, and that’s exactly what they aim to give you.
Efficiency. Care. Experience.
Our lawyers work fast, but they do not sacrifice quality. They do what you need them to do, and they do it with the confidence earned through years of experience in probate court. Contact our office today by calling 888-712-4771 or sending an email.