Usually when an executor is appointed to administer an estate, he or she does not think that the liabilities of the estate could actually become their own. However, in U.S. v. David A. Tyler and Louis J. Ruch, a federal judge ruled that an executor can be held liable for…
In their wills, many parents choose to leave property to their children. Others may give their children certain property while they are still living. Children may also have an interest in property as a result of a trust set up by one or both of their parents. But, what if…
Many individuals execute wills before their death, leaving certain gifts to their family members, friends, and other individuals. From time to time, however, certain individuals named in a will (i.e., “devisees”) predecease (i.e., die before) the person leaving them the gift. If a new will is not executed, a question…
When probating an estate (i.e., distributing a deceased person’s assets), a personal representative is responsible for seeing that the process is carried out in accordance with the deceased person’s wishes and state law. Some very common questions often arise in this context: What exactly are the duties of a personal…
People generally know that the purpose of a will is to facilitate the orderly distribution of assets after a person’s death. Therefore, it logically flows that assets that expire upon death do not need to be handled by a will. They expire. However, the concept of ownership has changed drastically…
As technology continues to develop, its impact is seen in many areas of law. In today’s world, natural conception is not the only way to conceive a child. Often times, a parent may choose to have a child through in-vitro fertilization, even after their significant other has passed. However, under…
It is a classic scenario – the evil step-mother taking everything when her husband dies even though his children were expecting an inheritance. What do you do if someone swoops your inheritance, or your expectation of an inheritance, out from under you? Florida recognizes a cause of action for tortious…
There are many instances in which a trust can be terminated, e.g., when the trust ceases to be economically efficient to administer or when the trust has been created as a result of fraud, duress, or undue influence. Recently, in Florida, more individuals have been creating revocable trusts. Floridians often…
Just how far does Florida Constitution’s homestead ad valorem tax exemption extend? Recently, the Florida Supreme Court decided this issue in Garcia v. Andonie, 65 So.3d 515 (2011). In Andonie, the Court held that if the resident children of a non-resident reside on property owned by the non-resident, the property…
What happens when the personal representative of an estate is not performing his or her duties or is not acting in the best interest of the estate? The Florida Probate Code lists causes for removal of a Personal representative. In addition to a physical or mental incapacity that would prevent…