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Fort Lauderdale Estate Planning and Guardianship Law Firm Wintter Law
The estate settlement and probate process can be stressful for everyone involved and can differ depending on whether the decedent died without a will (intestate) or left a Last Will and Testament setting forth his or her wishes (testate estates). The personal representative, beneficiaries, and other family members may feel confused and unsure of how to carry out their loved one’s estate plan and last wishes during a time of immense grief.
The legal and financial rules concerning probate can be difficult to navigate, but no matter how you are connected to your loved one’s estate, an attorney will be able to help you know your rights and get through probate smoothly.
Here are just a few ways an attorney can help you to navigate the process:
Assisting the Personal Representative. In Florida, every appointed personal representative must be represented by Florida counsel. The personal representative is the person in charge of sorting out the deceased’s estate. The personal representative is either nominated by the decedent in his or her will or is appointed by the Court based upon preference in an intestate estate. Probate attorneys work with the personal representatives and guide them through the estate administration process from beginning to end. The personal representative and the probate attorney work together to notify creditors and beneficiaries, marshal the assets, file the last income tax returns and finally, make distributions to the beneficiaries according to the deceased’s last wishes or the statutes governing intestacy.
Fort Lauderdale Estate Planning Law Firm
Through proper estate planning, you can protect these assets from being wasted on avoidable taxes, trust and estate litigation, court costs, administrative fees, and the spending habits of irresponsible in-laws or family members. You can ensure your children and other family members are cared and provided for while reducing uncertainties over how your property or assets will be managed and distributed. You can also express your wishes regarding life-prolonging medical procedures thereby ensuring your independence and keeping the court out of such decisions.
Each estate plan is as unique as you. Crafting the most effective plan for you and your family requires the help of an expert Florida estate planning attorney experienced in this complex, often emotional process. Experience is the key.
Our Fort Lauderdale Florida Guardianship Attorneys Will Walk You Through Each Step of the Guardianship Administration Process
Whether you are seeking guardianship of an infirm relative, a handicapped individual, or a minor, the process is a complicated one and involves multiple hearings and financial responsibilities. The experienced Florida guardianship attorneys at Wintter Law can help you with all aspects of guardianship administration. We will petition the court for guardianship or emergency temporary guardianship and will attend all court hearings, including incapacity hearings. When you seek guardianship, you take on a great deal of personal responsibility and the financial side of the process can be a huge undertaking in and of itself. Our Florida guardianship administration lawyers can help you through the process of preparing an inventory of assets, establishing a restricted depository account for assets, managing assets, creating a monthly budget for the person being cared for, assisting with taxes, and preparing all accountings and plans during the guardianship administration. The goal of our legal team is to ensure that the incapacitated person is well-provided for and that the guardian fulfills all personal, financial, and legal duties.
Guardianship Situations are Difficult: Wintter Law Provides Compassionate Guidance and Expertise
Our Florida guardianship lawyers understand that seeking guardianship can be an emotional process, especially if your loved one is suffering mentally or physically. Not only can our guardianship attorneys help with legal and financial matters, we are also qualified to help you make decisions regarding your loved one’s personal, social, and medical needs, everything you need to provide the best possible care. We can help you find a place for your loved one to live and guide you in making decisions about their medical care. Family members are often spread apart in distance and moving your loved one may be impractical. We can help you provide care from a distance by assisting you in locating caregivers and medical teams who can serve your family member even if a legal guardianship is not required.
