Probating a Will
Providing experienced probate services to the greater Orlando, Winter Park and Casselberry area
After someone dies, his or her property is distributed to beneficiaries according to the will through the legal process known as probate.
Probate includes appraising the property and paying debts and taxes before the property is distributed to beneficiaries according to the will. A probate court oversees the following steps of the process:
- Proving the validity of the will
- Naming an executor to handle matters
- Notifying creditors
- Publishing legal notices
- Selling property if appropriate
- Distributing assets
- Paying off debts and taxes
Wills and probate in Orlando and Winter Park area
Besides authenticating your loved one's will and executing his or her final wishes, Orlando probate is also the forum where legal challenges to the will can be made and resolved. Read more about estate litigation
If someone dies without a will, known as dying intestate, or if the will cannot be validated, the probate court steps in to determine how the property should be transferred to survivors. This is why it is essential to have a valid will that can hold up in probate. Read more about disputing a will
Not all property in the estate is transferred in Winter Park probate. For example, life insurance payouts go directly to the beneficiaries designated. And property held in a living trust or as joint tenancy with right of survivorship also transfers automatically without probate.
What can probate do for you?
There are two ways to look at probate. One is from the estate administration perspective. When your loved one dies, if you are the executor or administrator of the estate, you need to probate the estate.
The other way to look at probate is from the estate planning perspective. When you have probate in mind for your own will, you can ensure your property and assets are distributed as you intend.
In either case, the estate planning attorneys at the Law Offices of Baldwin & Morrison, P.A.understand all facets of Orlando probate laws and can handle estate probate. As part of our estate planning services, we help you prepare a valid will and take advantage of tax laws that may exempt or minimize taxes on your estate.
Contact us about Winter Park probate law
Whether your needs are for estate administration or estate planning, the Law Offices of Baldwin & Morrison, P.A. can help. Contact one of our probate attorneys today.
Baldwin & Morrison brings years of experience and an in-depth legal knowledge to all of their cases. They provide legal services in the areas of probate, wills, trusts, and real estate law to residents of Orlando, Winter Park, Casselberry, Sanford, Lake Mary and surrounding cities.
