7 Key Benefits Of Getting A Probate Lawyer When You Are A Personal Representative

Hiring A Probate when you find yourself being named as the Personal representative, you may have lot on our plate than you might have initially thought. A personal representative in Florida is in charge of administering a deceased person’s estate with the guidance of a will.

The deceased owner or legally referred to as the testator is the person making the will. The first thing he or she will consider is the person he or she would appoint as the executor or personal representative. If you are this person, you have to accept the responsibility of carrying out the conditions of the will.

Since you will be obligated by the Florida law, your main objective as a personal representative is to protect and uphold the best interest of the estate. In the legal term, this is known as the Executor’s “fiduciary duty”. To do otherwise, even just an allegation of not seeing the best interest of the estate would constitute a lawsuit against the executor and could possibly result to getting removed as one.

When you face this kind of responsibility, you shouldn’t take this too lightly. That’s why many who are named executor or personal representative are Hiring Probate Lawyer to guide them as they navigate through this role. Here are 7 key benefits of hiring probate lawyer:

1. To Fully Understand What Is Expected Of You.

Often times, a personal representative is a trusted person that has no legal and thorough understanding of the legal procedures in the probate process. A probate lawyer can walk you through this process while providing a clear understanding of every step that needs to be taken.

1. To Understand The Responsibilities As A Personal Representative

Because of the weight of the responsibility and perhaps the dread of the complexity of the probate process, it can be intimidating to be named a personal representative. You may even be scared, hesitant and more unwilling than you let on. To ease your mind, you can consult a probate lawyer to explain everything that you need to know so you are equipped for the road you will take.

1. To Get Help Finding And Valuing The Assets In The Estate

As personal representative, one of the things you need to do is to list and locate all the assets required to go through probate. A probate lawyer can offer assistance in tracing real property or bank accounts and stock properties that is owned by the testator. You also don’t need to worry about the expense in doing this because you will be paid a percentage from the assets of the estate as your compensation for the hard work.

1. To Be Guided On Preserving The Value Of The Estate

In line with your obligation to protect the best interest of the estate, you have to preserve the value or even maximize the value of the estate. How are you able to do this? You can actually sell assets that may depreciate in value or invest the assets that may increase in value. Although you may have this authority, the heirs and beneficiaries may not be amenable to your decision. Whichever route you pursue, the probate lawyer can help you cover all the bases.

1. Paying Off The Estate’s Debts And Taxes

This responsibility of paying off creditors may be manageable on your own but a probate lawyer can definitely help you with the filing of tax returns of the estate as well as defend you against creditors with large claims on the estate. It is definitely best that you seek legal guidance on these matters.

1. Distributing The Rest Of The Estate To The Beneficiaries And Heirs

If you are still not convinced to hiring probate lawyer at this point, you have to deal with the distribution of remaining assets after settling debt and this is something that you have to do properly which is why you need a probate lawyer to help you facilitate this.

1. Getting discharged from your duties as Personal Representative

So when the last task is already done, you have to document and report these accomplishments for the estate to the court. This will signify the official closing of the probate process and thus relinquishing you from your role. Hiring Probate Lawyer ensures you can compile the report that you need to present to the judge completely and seamlessly. The judge will file an order to close the estate and discharge you once they reviewed the process to be properly executed.

The Florida probate process can be easily handled with a probate lawyer who has dedicated practice of providing service to deal with probate issues. Our Attorneys at Jurado & Farshchian, P.L. can ease your mind by guiding you through the process step by step by making sure legal documents are valid, verifying claims on the estate, and taking care of paperwork.

Contact us today via at (305) 921-0440 or send us an email to [email protected] .