EXECUTORS MAY HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PROBATE PROCEEDINGS

Having questions about closing a deceased individual's estate is understandable. Many Florida residents likely have not had to handle probate proceedings until the death of a close loved one. Being put into the role of executor can have its challenges, and understanding the legal process ahead can be useful.

First, most estates have to go through probate. This process legally settles the final affairs of a deceased individual and ensures that his or her final wishes are carried out, if any were left behind. Typically, parties utilize their estate plans to detail these wishes, and wills can play major parts in probate. In fact, submitting a will to the probate court for validation is how the process begins. After the court validates the document, if such an outcome is appropriate, further steps can be taken.

Additionally, there are costs that come along with settling an estate, and fortunately, the executor typically does not pay those expenses him or herself. In fact, part of the probate costs is the compensation the executor earns for completing the process. Other costs associated with the process include court filing fees, creditor notice fees, attorney fees and more.

Probate proceedings can take a lot of work to complete, so individuals in charge of settling Florida estates may want to ensure that they have the right information and help. Local legal resources could provide reliable information about how the process is handled and the duties of executors. Additionally, parties can enlist the help of attorneys experienced in this area of law to assist throughout the legal proceedings.