Video Summary

Is there a time limit when descendants can get access to the items of the deceased? Well, that is a very practical or problematic problem in that if there is no titled assets in the name of the decedent, which would necessitate having a probate proceeding, then there is no one in charge of the decedent’s personal items.

If there is a titled personal property and there’ll be a probate proceeding, the personal representative of the estate is the one should take charge of the personal items, and then distribute those. When you do estate planning, you can fill out a personal property list, designating whom you would like to receive those items and that might go a long ways.

In the cases whenever there is not gonna be a probate, then it is … there really is not a good answer to the situation in that whoever has possession of those items of personal property is probably the one you need to work that out with and as far as access of it, well, it’s just sometimes on a first come, first serve basis.

So hopefully, the decedent had a functional family. If they didn’t have a probate proceeding, well, then the family can decide on how to divide up the items of personal property. Usually, the items are almost, in every case that I’ve seen in my career, I don’t know that we’ve ever filed an action concerning personal property, whenever someone says they had personal property and trying to establish the value of it and who is to receive it.

If you have any questions about a probate proceeding, well, give me a call at 727-847-2288.

Video Summary

If you are the Executor and the only Beneficiary of an estate, does it have to go through probate? The answer to the question is yes.

If the Decedent owned any assets that were titled just in the Decedents name. You indicated that you are the Executor, you’re the designated or person to be appointed the Executor. The Executor is something that is appointed by the court so until such time as there are probate proceedings you are simply nominated or suggested or provided for on the will to be the Executor and as the only Beneficiary, well, you have to have the will admitted to probate to show that you are in fact, the only Beneficiary so the short answer to your question is, is yes you still have to probate the estate.

Another reason why you have to probate it, even if you are the only Beneficiary is to be sure that any creditors have been paid and if the estate is very large, of course, then you need address the federal estate tax situation.

So if you have any questions about probate, well give me a call at 727-847-2288.

Video Summary

Should I add an asset to a probate case that is in a summary administration in Florida? Well, a summary administration is filed whenever there is no bills outstanding and that the assets of the decedent that are titled in his name, other than his homestead, are less than $75,000, or the decedent’s been deceased for two years. Once petition can order summary administration has been entered, well, that is all there is to the proceedings. So, depending on when you discover this asset that was not included in the petition, is when you can add it. If the order of summary administration has not been entered, well then you can file an amended petition to include this asset and have the order of summary administration included.

However, if you’ve done a summary administration and you later discover an asset then you have to file a petition to reopen the estate as far as the disposition of this other asset and whether or not you have to go through a formal administration or an amended summary administration is depending on the value of the assets.

So if you have any questions about summary administrations and probate, well give me a call at 727-847-2288.