Gainesville, FL Estate Planning, Will & Trust Law Blog

If you’re a resident of Florida and you die intestate (without a Will) or if your Will is deemed ‘invalid,’ the Florida Legislature has written one for you.

Under Florida Statutes ss.732.101 & 732.102, if you are married your spouse will inherit according to the following rules:

* If you have no lineal descendants, your spouse inherits 100% of your estate;

* If you have lineal descendants, all of whom are also your spouse’s lineal descendants, and your spouse has no other descendants, your spouse receives 100% of your estate;

* If you have lineal descendants, one or more of whom are not lineal descendants of your spouse, your estate is split 50-50 between your spouse and your descendants;

* If you have lineal descendants, all of whom are also your spouse’s lineal descendants, but your spouse has one or more descendants who are not your lineal descendants (children from a previous marriage, perhaps), your estate is split 50-50 between your spouse and your descendants.

Getting Legal Help

At White and Crouch we understand what your estate plan should and should not include to protect your assets and your loved ones. We can help you make a thorough plan to give you peace of mind. Contact us today at (352) 372-1011.

Everyone has heard horror stories about Probate. However, there is nothing inherently evil about it, and it provides a number of benefits. There are two types of Probate in Florida: Formal Administration and Summary Administration. Formal Administration has the advantage that it provides a court-supervised structure to ensure that everyone with a stake in the estate gets a fair shake. If there are any disputes, they can be brought before the Court for resolution. Once distributions are made to the beneficiaries and the estate is closed, the beneficiaries do not have to worry about future claims against the estate.

Summary Administration, as the name implies, is less formal, takes less time, and costs less. However, little guidance or protection is provided in the event of a dispute or a claim against the estate. Summary Administration can be used if there is no direction for Formal Administration in the Will, the assets of the estate do not exceed $75,000, or if the decedent has been deceased for more than two years. In these instances, the court can order an immediate distribution of the assets to the heirs. In a functional family where no claims or disputes are anticipated, if an estate qualifies for Summary Administration, that is often the wiser choice.

Getting Legal Help

At White and Crouch we understand what your estate plan should and should not include to protect your assets and your loved ones. We can help you make a thorough plan to give you peace of mind. Contact us today at 352-372-1011.