Recent Blog Posts
The Law Governing Removal Of Trustees In Florida
When setting up a living trust, the settlor usually retains the right to appoint or remove the trustee during their lifetime. After the settlor’s death, a Florida judge can also remove a trustee for a number of reasons, including “unfitness” to serve. The judge may also consider the wishes of the trust’s beneficiaries in… Read More »
What Happens If An Heir Hunter Or “Long Lost” Relative Claims A Share Of A Probate Estate?
Many people fail to make a will before they die. One common reason is the belief that since state law gives their estate to their next of kin anyways, a will is simply unnecessary. And in many cases that is true. But then you come across a situation where a previously unknown or “long… Read More »
Understanding A Trustee’s Duty To File Trust Accountings
The trustee of a trust is accountable to the beneficiaries of that trust. In this context, accountability means that Florida law requires the trustee to provide any “relevant information” regarding the trust to the beneficiaries. This includes an annual accounting of the trust’s assets. Section 736.08135 of the Florida Statutes provides the general framework… Read More »
What Do I Do If I Suspect Will Forgery?
Many people are surprised, if not shocked, to learn that they inherited nothing from a family member’s estate. In some cases the excluded family member may suspect the will itself was forged or tampered with in some way. Although will forgery is rare, it does happen. So what steps should you take if you… Read More »
When Is An Asset Actually Transferred Into A Trust? And Why Does It Matter?
When a person transfers an asset to a revocable living trust, it is no longer considered a probate asset. In other words, when the person dies, the asset previously placed in the trust does not pass under the terms of the person’s will. It is a non-probate asset. There are of course cases where… Read More »
What Are The Different Types Of Fiduciaries In Florida?
A fiduciary is someone authorized to act on behalf of another person in some capacity. When it comes to probate estates, trusts, and guardianships, there are a number of different kinds of fiduciaries who may be responsible for administering someone else’s property. The terminology is often confusing to family members who are inexperienced with… Read More »
How Delays In Appointing A Personal Representative Can Affect An Estate’s Legal Claims
The appointment of a personal representative is a crucial step in establishing a probate estate’s control over a deceased person’s assets. Keep in mind, probate assets are not just limited to property that was in the decedent’s possession on the date of their death. There may also be monies owed to the decedent that… Read More »
Does A Subsequent Marriage Or Divorce Revoke A Will?
When a person makes a last will and testament, that document remains in force until either (1) the person dies and the will is filed for probate or (2) the will is legally revoked. Revocation can be accomplished either through physically destroying the original will or by signing a written document–including a superseding will–that… Read More »
Is A “Payable On Death” Account A Probate Asset?
One way to keep certain assets out of probate is to title them as “payable on death” (POD) to a beneficiary. POD designations are commonly used in connection with bank accounts. For example, let’s say Judith wants to leave her checking account to her son Ryan. Instead of leaving him the account in her… Read More »
Can A Marital Settlement Agreement Still Be Enforced After A Former Spouse Dies?
One of the roles of a personal representative is to enforce any contractual obligations of the deceased. In plainer terms, if someone owed the decedent money under a previously executed contract, the personal representative has the right–and the responsibility–to take any appropriate legal action to collect. Florida Court Orders Woman to Return Ex-Husband’s Pension… Read More »
Mark R. Manceri, P.A. is a boutique law firm that specializes in Estate, Trust and Guardianship litigation. These matters include Will and Trust contests involving lack of capacity, undue influence, forgery, improper execution and tortious interference...