In Florida, individuals are legally required to work with an attorney during the probate process. But what exactly is probate? It is a legal process supervised by a court that manages someone’s assets after death. Probate ensures that all assets are appropriately allocated to all beneficiaries. Aaron D. Millman, Esq., CPA, founded The Millman Law Group to provide critical services to anybody going through the estate planning process. As seasoned legal experts, we provide our clients with comprehensive services to help them navigate Florida probate in Hillsboro Beach. We can also help clients plan their estate to avoid probate in order to save time and money. 

What Is the Purpose of Florida Probate?

Florida probate in Hillsboro Beach, FL, is required to administer a will. Your will offers specific instructions for the probate judge on who will inherit your assets when they pass through probate. 

There are several forms of probate, but the most common are formal and summary administration. The kind of probate you employ will be determined by when the probate is filed, the decedent’s debts, and the value of their assets. 

During probate, your estate is managed by a personal representative (executor). Beneficiaries are notified of the will during the probate and have the opportunity to object. The amount of money and time necessary for probate is determined by the kind of probate chosen. Using the proper methods allows you to avoid probate and have a more efficient asset transfer.

How Your Estate Planning Attorney Can Help You Avoid Florida Probate

It is usually preferable to avoid probate whenever possible due to how time-consuming and expensive the process may become. Working with an expert estate planning attorney can help you achieve your estate planning goals while avoiding probate and lowering costs. How can your lawyer help you avoid probate? They can do the following: 

• Designate beneficiaries for your bank accounts. You can avoid probate by assigning beneficiaries to life insurance, bank accounts, and retirement plans. 
• Establish joint asset ownership. When you co-own a property, you may do this. Joint ownership can be done as couples, tenants by the entirety, or joint tenants with survivorship rights. When one owner dies, the surviving owner retains possession of the property without probate. 
• Own assets through a living trust. A living trust, sometimes known as a revocable living trust, functions similarly to a will in that it can pass assets down after your death. The assets must be owned by the trust to avoid probate. Your knowledgeable attorney can assist you in transferring assets into your trust. 

You can potentially avoid probate by ensuring that all property, assets, and bank accounts are jointly held. The ownership must be between two people, a trust, or another beneficiary. 

Benefit From the Expertise of an Experienced Estate Planning Lawyer

When you work with The Millman Law Group throughout probate, you can be confident that everything will proceed smoothly. Your lawyer does more than just make Florida probate in Hillsboro Beach easier to handle; they also help you avoid costly mistakes. Your attorney can help you prevent uncomfortable circumstances and negotiate any complex challenges that arise. This covers situations in which a person dies without a will, labeling their assets “intestate.” 

The Millman Law Group will help you avoid additional expenses, misunderstandings, and family disputes following the loss of a loved one.

Contact The Millman Law Group For Assistance with Florida Probate in Hillsboro Beach

Millman Law Group, PLLC is one of the only law firms that offers life planning in South Florida. From life care planning to the preparation of detailed estate plans, Millman Law Group has committed to serving Floridian elderly communities in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Ocean Ridge, Hillsboro Beach, and many other areas since 2018. Our dedicated team specializes in special needs trusts and catering to any age demographic because we know that it’s never too early to start preparing for your future. For the latest news in estate planning and elder care law, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. You can also contact us at 561-463-6480.