Practice Areas
Probate
Probate is the legal process through which courts transfer the assets of a deceased person, or decedent.
If the decedent has a Last Will and Testament, the probate process in the State of Florida begins by depositing the Will with the Court. The Decedent’s selected personal representative is the person in charge of handling that process with the help of an attorney.
If the Will meets with all of the legal requirements, the Court will admit the Will to probate and appoint the personal representative. The Personal Representative is then tasked with the responsibility of identifying the Decedent’s assets and debts, locating the designated beneficiaries, paying the estate’s debts, and distributing the assets in accordance with the Will.
If the decedent did not have a Will, the process is somewhat similar, except that instead of distributing the assets to Decedent’s designated beneficiaries, the Court will distribute the assets to the Decedent’s heirs pursuant to Florida law. The difference between a beneficiary and an heir is that a beneficiary is someone named by the Decedent to inherit his/or her assets, while an heir is a close relative in line to receive an inheritance.
Losing a loved one is a very difficult process, and having to become involved in a legal proceeding during that time period can be daunting. In many cases, this is the first time that an individual has any contact with the legal system.
Adis Riveron will guide you through every step of the painful probate process with compassion and expertise. She will provide the necessary guidance to help the family and loved ones close a chapter of their lives with dignity and respect for all involved.
