How The Levy Firm PLLC Can Help You Avoid Probate in Florida

Tips to maintain control over your estate

Probate – the court’s way of settling a decedent’s estate and distributing their assets – is a routine process as far as the courts are concerned, but one that comes at a difficult time in people’s lives. Before any property is distributed, the estate must be settled. This involves paying debts and taxes and, when necessary, resolving disputes. The process is public and, if there is no will or the will is contested, court time and expenses can wrack up quickly.

It’s easy to see why probate is something grantors and beneficiaries would like to avoid. We can help with that. The Levy Firm PLLC understands how federal and Florida estate laws work. Fort Lauderdale probate litigation attorney Geoff Levy leverages the law to facilitate the smooth transfer of assets and inheritance. The following are general tips on how to avoid Florida probate. For information specific to your estate, contact us for a confidential free consultation with Geoff.

5 tips to avoid probate in South Florida

Avoiding probate in Florida can save your loved ones from the time-consuming and costly process of estate administration. Estate planning is the key to avoiding probate in South Florida. By implementing these techniques, you can ensure a smoother transfer of assets to your beneficiaries, sparing them unnecessary stress and hassle.

1. Revocable Living Trust. Establishing a revocable living trust allows you to transfer ownership of your assets to the trust during your lifetime. Upon your death, the assets held in the trust can be distributed to your beneficiaries without going through probate.
2. Joint Ownership. Holding assets jointly with rights of survivorship can help them pass directly to the surviving owner(s) upon your death. This is common for assets like real estate, bank accounts, and vehicles.
3. Beneficiary Designations. Naming beneficiaries on assets such as retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts allows these assets to bypass probate and go directly to the named beneficiaries.
4. Gifts. Consider gifting assets during your lifetime to your intended beneficiaries. Gifts below a certain value are not subject to gift tax, and reducing the size of your estate can minimize the need for probate.
5. Small Estate Procedures. In Florida, there are simplified probate procedures for small estates. If the value of your estate falls below a certain threshold, your beneficiaries may be able to use these procedures to transfer assets without going through a formal probate process.

You are not required to hire a lawyer to make an estate plan. But oral and written directives made without a lawyer are much easier to challenge. Make sure to safeguard your future. The Levy Firm PLLC can help you plan for all of life’s uncertainties with a clear and binding estate plan.

We can help you protect what matters most

A comprehensive estate plan uses advanced strategies for asset protection, trust establishment, homestead declaration, well-timed gifts, and more to reduce your exposure to taxes and creditors. The Levy Firm PLLC legal team ensures proper drafting of documents, minimizing the risk of errors that could invalidate your intentions. We provide legally sound strategies and customized documentation for avoiding Florida probate. If you are planning your estate or need to update a will, contact us to schedule a free consultation.