probate administration

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Paul Kneski, has been practicing law in South Florida for more than forty (40) years. He has the experience necessary to help his clients through the challenging probate system.

Probate is the legal process of transferring of property upon a person's death. Although Florida’s Probate Code has changed over the years, the process is generally the same, which is formalizing a deceased friend or family member’s intentions as to the transfer of their property when they die (usually in a will and last testament).  Their property is collected, debts that must be paid are paid by the estate, and the property is distributed to the intended beneficiaries or heirs.

In Florida the process is completed in the Probate Court. Property subject to the probate process in Florida is the property owned by a friend or loved one at the time of his or her death, which does not go to others by documents such a life insurance policies or certain “payable on death” banking accounts).

Today the probate process is a court-supervised process that is designed to sort out the transfer of a person's property at death. Property subject to the probate process is that owned by a person at death, which does not pass to others by designation or ownership (i.e. life insurance policies and "payable on death" bank accounts).  

Usually, the decedent names a person (executor) to take over the management of his or her affairs upon death. If the decedent fails to name an executor, the court will appoint a personal representative, or administrator, to settle the estate.

The Florida Probate Code contains two primary types of estate administration. The first is Summary Administration, which is for estates valued at less than $75,000. The second is Formal Estate Administration, which is for estates valued at over $75,000. Summary estate administration typically takes between one to two months to complete. The formal estate administration process timeline is much longer and based on many variables regarding the complexity of the estate.

Transfers of assets such as bank and investment accounts and deeds made before death of a loved one can also be set aside when the transfer or change in beneficiary was made by the loved one on account of incapacity or undue influence. 

Our probate attorney, Paul J. Kneski, is compassionate, accessible, experienced and dedicated to helping his clients through the probate system.

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Florida probate attorney, contact Paul Kneski at (954) 583-8765 or complete the contact form below to arrange for a free consultation. Our firm's legal staff speaks Spanish.

Paul J. Kneski, Esq. Law Offices of Paul J. Kneski, PA Plantation Medical Arts Building, Suite 110 333 N.W. 70th Avenue, Plantation, FL 33317 Tel: (954) 583-8765 E-mail: Paulj@kneski.comcastbiz.net 

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