Forefront Law, P.A
FLORIDA PROBATE AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
One of our firm’s primary goals is to assist our clients in preparing an estate plan that prevents any unnecessary probate court involvement. However, for those who have not done the planning required to avoid probate, or if disputes arise regarding a deceased or incapacitated person’s affairs, it may be necessary to initiate a proceeding in the probate court. Our law firm can make these difficult processes easier and prevent you from making costly mistakes.
We welcome you to read more about our services below. Or contact Forefront Law, P.A for a free initial consultation.
LIFETIME PROBATE
One of our firm’s primary goals is to assist our clients prepare an estate plan that prevents any unnecessary probate court involvement. However, for those who have not done the planning required to avoid probate, it may be necessary for someone to initiate a probate proceeding to seek court permission to handle that person’s affairs.
If someone is incapacitated, we can handle all types of Lifetime Probate matters, including Guardianships, Conservatorships, and Involuntary Commitments. Our probate attorneys can help someone become appointed as a Guardian or Conservator, challenge the need for or scope of such an appointment, or seek the removal of a person so acting.
DEATH PROBATE
The death of someone you care about is one of the most difficult events we face during our lives. It requires us to deal with numerous legal, financial, business, and emotional issues. When a loved one passes away, our attorneys can lead a family through the complicated Death Probate process, so that the person’s final affairs can be properly administered. We have a network of other trusted professionals such as clergy, funeral directors, attorneys, financial planners, and accountants who can assist in easing this burden.
TRUST ADMINISTRATION
Our team of legal and accounting professionals can assist with every aspect of the trust administration process if the person becomes incapacitated or passes away. Aside from assisting with the administration of a “Living Trust” (which typically becomes irrevocable when someone dies), our attorneys can help administer many other types of trusts, including Special-Needs Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, and Charitable Trusts. This process occurs entirely outside of the probate court system and is, thus, much less complicated.
Proper administration of a trust typically involves activities such as: interpreting the document, preparing an inventory, preparing periodic accountings for the beneficiaries, settlement of creditor claims, responding to beneficiary inquiries, assistance with the proper liquidation and distribution of trust assets, responding to tax reporting agencies (i.e. the IRS, Michigan Department of Treasury, etc.), and the preparation of all associated tax returns, including final Personal Income Tax Returns, Fiduciary Income Tax Returns (for Estates & Trusts), Estate Tax Returns, and Gift Tax Returns.