Winter Park Probate Attorney
Legal Representation for Personal Representatives
Have you been appointed a personal representative of a loved one's estate? If so, you have a large responsibility on your shoulders. You would be wise to engage the assistance of a Winter Park probate attorney from Richard A. Heller, P.A. With nearly 60 years of collective legal experience, an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, a top Superb Rating from AVVO, and a Distinguished Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, we are prepared to help you perform your duties seamlessly and eliminate the confusion commonly associated with handling a decedent's estate.
Contact our Winter Park probate attorney online or by calling (407) 501-4052 today!
Request a Free Case Evaluation
If you have been appointed as a personal representative of an estate, we encourage you to contact a Winter Park probate attorney at our office. In a free consultation, we will answer your questions and help you better understand your duties as a personal representative. Should you choose to work with us, we will guide you through every phase of the probate process so you can perform your duties as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Probate and Estate Administration
Probate is the process of validating a will and settling a decedent's estate. With probate, a personal representative is appointed by the court to perform the following duties:
- Collect and inventory the decedent's assets
- Manage investments
- Collect any rental income
- Notify creditors and beneficiaries
- Pay off debts against the estate, creditors' claims and taxes
- If there are remaining assets, distribute them among the beneficiaries
- Provide accountings to the court
Typically the will names a personal representative to administer the estate. If the decedent died without a will, then their property is distributed according to Florida law. The person holding the will must deposit the original will with the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 10 days of finding out that the person is deceased. The will is deposited with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the decedent resided.
There are two basic types of proceedings for administering a decedent's estate:
- Formal Administration – This type of proceeding is used when there are a considerable amount of assets.
- Summary Administration – This proceeding is for smaller estates where the value does not exceed $75,000, or when the decedent has been dead for over two years.
According to Rule 5.030 of the Florida Probate Rules, a personal representative must be represented by an attorney who is admitted to practice in Florida unless the personal representative is the sole interested person (the only person who stands to inherit from the estate).
How Can We Help
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Free Case EvaluationsWe offer free case evaluations to all prospective clients! Reach out to us today to schedule some time to speak with a seasoned attorney.
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Flexible Payment PlansWe do our best to accommodate our clients' financial situations by offering flexible payment plans.
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Spanish Services AvailableSe habla español! We offer our services in both English and Spanish.
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ExperienceWith nearly 60 years of combined experience, our team of attorneys has the knowledge to handle your estate planning, family law, or elder law matters with efficiency and skill.