a lawyer who represents a personal representative of a decedent's estate florida

by Jalyn Swaniawski 9 min read

Who can qualify as a personal representative in Florida?

They must be at least 18 years old; They must be a resident of Florida or related to the decedent by blood, marriage, or adoption; They must be physically and mentally capable of serving as the personal representative; and. They have never been convicted of a felony.

How do I file a personal representative in Florida?

The Personal Representative must be represented by an attorney unless the Personal Representative is the sole beneficiary of the estate. The designated personal representative or an interested party may petition the court to open the estate. The petition must be filed in the county where the decedent resided.

Is a personal representative the same as an executor in Florida?

In the State of Florida, an Executor is referred to as a “Personal Representative”—this is the same as an “Executor” as the term is used in other states for all practical purposes.

Can an attorney be a personal representative in Florida?

A guardian or personal representative who is an attorney admitted to practice in Florida may represent himself or herself as a guardian or personal representative.

How much does a probate lawyer cost in Florida?

Estimating the Cost to Hire a Florida Probate Attorney Florida statutes set forth what are considered reasonable fees for Florida probate attorneys at the following rate: $1,500 for estates up to $40,000. $2,250 for estates between $40,000 and $70,000. $3,000 for estates between $70,000 and $100,000.

What is the personal representative fee in Florida?

The percentage personal representative fee is computed as follows: 3% of the first $1 million. 2.5% for amounts above $1 million up to $5 million. 2% for amounts above $5 million up to $10 million.

Who can act as personal representative?

A personal representative is the person, or it may be more than one person, who is legally entitled to administer the estate of the person who has died (referred to as 'the deceased'). The term 'personal representatives', sometimes abbreviated to PR, is used because it includes both executors and administrators.

What are the duties of a personal representative of an estate in Florida?

A Personal Representative has many duties that must be carried out in accordance with Florida Probate Law. These duties include gathering estate assets, determining and resolving estate liabilities, paying any taxes, distributing the estate assets to beneficiaries and closing the estate.

How long does an executor have to settle an estate Florida?

Even with formal administration, most estates are resolved within 18 months. However, all claims against an estate must be filed within 2 years of the person's death.

What is the average fee for an executor of an estate in Florida?

Your fee is based on the value of the estate. If the estate value is between $1 million and $5 million, your fee is 2.5% of the estate assets. If the estate value is between $5 million and $10 million, your fee is 2% of the estate assets. For assets over $10 million, the fee is 1.5% of of those assets.

Who can be executor of estate in Florida?

Legal Requirements for Florida Executors Be at least 18 years of age, Be physically and mentally capable of performing the assigned duties, Not have been convicted of a felony, and. Be a Florida resident.

What happens to bank account when someone dies without a will in Florida?

If you die without a will in Florida, your assets will go to your closest relatives under state "intestate succession" laws.

What is a Florida Personal Representative?

In the Florida probate process, a personal representative is the person who is appointed to represent the Estate of the Deceased. In other states, the Personal Representative is referred to as the executor or administrator of the Will.

Who Cannot Serve as a Personal Representative?

A personal representative can be an individual, a bank or a trust company, subject to certain restrictions. Convicted felons and minor children are not eligible to serve as personal representatives of an Estate.

Do I have to Serve as the Personal Representative if Named in the Will?

No. You can choose to decline your duty as Florida personal representative of the Estate, and the responsibility of personal representative will be offered to the next person in line according to Florida probate law.

What are the Responsibilities of a Personal Representative?

Although it may be an honor to be named as the Florida personal representative of an Estate, there is a great deal of responsibility that comes along with this position.

Am I Required to Hire an Attorney for Probate Proceedings as the Personal Representative?

According to the Florida Probate Rules, “Every guardian and every personal representative, unless the personal representative remains the sole interested person, shall be represented by an attorney admitted to practice in Florida.”

Do I have to use the Attorney Named in the Will?

The answer to this question is no; a provision in a will mandating that a particular attorney be employed as attorney for the Florida personal representative of the estate is not binding.

Contact Us

If you are an individual that’s unfamiliar with or intimidated by the above information, do not worry. Personal representatives often engage legal counsel to help guide them through the Florida probate process, and here at Stivers Law, we have been helping individuals in their role for years.

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Who May be a Personal Representative

In Florida, there are a few requirements an individual must fulfill before they can be an executor of an estate. A person must be at least 18 years old. They must be mentally competent and physically capable of the required tasks.

Who May Not be a Personal Representative

Certain individuals are prohibited from being a personal representative in Florida, including minors, convicted felons, and individuals deemed mentally incompetent. Also, any person the court determines to not be mentally or physically able to perform the duties of executor will not be granted the power to do so.

Special Rules for Non-Resident Executors

When the preferred personal representative for an estate does not live in Florida, there are special rules regarding when the Florida court will allow it or appoint someone else. A Florida court will only allow a non-resident who is a blood-related or a legally adopted relation to be a personal representative of a Florida estate.

Is There a Problem With the Proposed Personal Representative of an Estate?

If you do not agree with the proposed executor of your loved one’s estate, you need to contact a Florida probate lawyer from the Law Offices of Larry E. Bray, P.A. at 561-571-8970.

What is a personal representative in Florida?

The personal representative is the person, bank, or trust company appointed by the judge to be in charge of the administration of the decedent’s probate estate. The term “personal representative” is used in Florida instead of such terms as “executor, executrix, administrator, and administratrix.”.

Who can administer probate estate in Florida?

In a Will, the decedent can name the beneficiaries whom the decedent wants to receive the decedent ’s probate assets. The decedent also can designate a personal representative (Florida’s term for an executor) to administer the probate estate.

What is probate administration?

Probate administration applies only to probate assets. Probate assets are those assets owned in the decedent’s sole name at death or owned by the decedent and one or more co-owners and lacked a provision for automatic succession of ownership at death. Examples of assets or property that may be probate assets may include:

What happens if a person leaves a will in Florida?

If the decedent left a valid Will, the Court will admit the Will (according to procedures) to probate to transfer ownership of probate assets to the named beneficiaries. If the decedent had no Will, probate might be necessary to pass ownership of the decedent’s probate assets to those receiving them under Florida law.

What is probate process?

Probate is a court-supervised process for identifying and gathering the assets of a deceased person (decedent), paying the decedent’s debts, and distributing the decedent’s assets to his or her beneficiaries. In general, the decedent’s assets pay the probate proceeding’s cost, the decedent’s funeral expenses, then the decedent’s outstanding debts.

What happens if there are more than one descendant in Florida?

If there is more than one descendant, the decedent’s probate estate will be divided among them in the manner prescribed by Florida law. The division will occur at the generational level of the decedent’s children.

Who receives all of the decedent's probate estate?

In that case, the surviving spouse receives all of the decedent’s probate estate. A “descendant” is a person in any generational level down the descending line from the decedent and includes children, grandchildren, parents, and more remote descendants.

Who represents the fiduciary in a probate?

The plain language of this court rule is clear that an attorney appearing in the probate court on behalf a fiduciary represents the fiduciary, rather than the estate.

Does a fiduciary represent the entire estate?

On January 19, 2017, the Court of Appeals held in the case titled Estate of Tyler Jacob Maki that the attorney hired by a fiduciary represents only the fiduciary and not the entire estate. Specifically, the Court held that when an attorney enters into an attorney-client relationship with a fiduciary, it does not have an attorney-client relationship ...

Who May Be A Personal Representative

Who May Not Be A Personal Representative

  • Certain individuals are prohibited from being a personal representative in Florida, including minors, convicted felons, and individuals deemed mentally incompetent. Also, any person the court determines to not be mentally or physically able to perform the duties of executor will not be granted the power to do so.
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Special Rules For Non-Resident Executors

  • When the preferred personal representative for an estate does not live in Florida, there are special rules regarding when the Florida court will allow it or appoint someone else. A Florida court will only allow a non-resident who is a blood-related or a legally adopted relation to be a personal representative of a Florida estate. More specifically, they may be the executor of the estate if the…
See more on braylawoffices.com

Is There A Problem with The Proposed Personal Representative of An Estate?

  • If you do not agree with the proposed executor of your loved one’s estate, you need to contact a Florida probate lawyer from the Law Offices of Larry E. Bray, P.A. at 561-571-8970. An experienced attorney will thoroughly review your situation to determine if there are grounds to challenge the proposed personal representative and suggest someone els...
See more on braylawoffices.com