St. Petersburg Probate & Guardianship Lawyer
The St. Petersburg probate & guardianship lawyers at Barbas, Nuñez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian offer thorough, professional, and caring service for those who have recently lost a loved one. Additionally, we handle wills, trusts, and estate planning so that your future wishes are carried out flawlessly and so that your family can get through what will be an incredibly emotional time as easily as possible. Contact us today to discuss your probate and guardianship needs, or with any questions you have about creating a will and living trust.
What is Probate?
Probate of will, according to the Florida statutes 731.201, means “all steps necessary to establish the validity of a will and to admit a will to probate.” Probate is the official proving of a will, and it is a necessary component of distributing the assets and carrying out the wishes of the deceased. Probate includes a variety of tasks, which can be time-consuming and difficult without the help of an lawyer. What exactly does probate involve?
- Taking the will to court and proving that it is valid;
- Having property appraised for value;
- Assessing and identifying the deceased individual’s property;
- Paying off debts and taxes; and
- Distribution of the property in the manner of the will’s direction.
Probate Lawyers of St. Petersburg
Our lawyers can assist you and the appointed executor of the will in all aspects of probate, including inventory of appraisal of assets, managing property, disposing of property, resolving credit claims, winding up businesses, and more. We also represent heirs and beneficiaries in will contests or other disputes.
The Great Benefits of Guardianship
According to the Florida Bar Association, a guardianship is “a legal proceeding in the circuit courts of Florida in which a guardian is appointed to exercise the legal rights of an incapacitated person.” And an incapacitated person is an “adult who is judicially determined to lack the capacity to manage at least some of his or her property or to meet at least some essential health and safety requirements.” When all of us reach a certain age, it is wise to appoint a guardianship in the event that we become too sick to appropriately take care of our assets. Our lawyers can provide you guidance and help to draft the necessary documents in order for a trusted person of you choosing to be held responsible for your finances and property should you become incapacitated. Additionally, we can help you protect your marital assets from fraud, poor management, or undue influence in the event that your spouse is not capable of making rational decisions about finances and property. Our probate lawyers also represent those in need of an involuntary guardianship in which an adult child realizes that their parent or parents require legal protection.
Call Us Today for St. Petersburg Probate & Guardianship Legal Help
Call the caring and professional St. Petersburg probate & guardianship lawyers of Barbas, Nuñez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian today at 1-800-227-2275 for all of your probate and guardianship needs. We can help you immediately.
