Lakeland Probate - Probate in Florida
The city of Lakeland is an idyllic spot, with many lakes all around the area, plenty of recreational activities, and an easy drive from this Polk County town to the cities of Tampa and Orlando. It is no wonder that this beautiful city has a booming population, and no wonder that many people choose Lakeland as an ideal spot to retire when they are done toiling their days away. Lakeland provides the peace and quiet that many people desire to live out their last days, and the sunshine and recreational spots to do so in pleasurable style.
Many people choose to spend their retirement years in cities like Lakeland, and this means that many people spend their final days in Lakeland as well, resulting in the necessity to probate their estates within Polk County. Because of the number of people who come to Florida from elsewhere as well as the complicated nature of probate law, Florida state law requires that a personal representative of an estate under probate hire a Florida probate lawyer to help them through the process and speed things up in the system, as well.
If your loved one was local to Lakeland and there are issues that must be litigated, then a Lakeland probate lawyer is the best choice to ensure that your case is handled as quickly and as well as possible. An out of area lawyer is an option if you prefer to use one from elsewhere for some reason, if there are no court appearances required.
The probate process, which generally takes anywhere from six months to two years depending on the taxability of your loved one's estate requires a professional to help.
Florida Statutes Section 733.6171, which states:
733.6171 Compensation of attorney for the personal representative -
(1) Attorneys for personal representatives shall be entitled to reasonable compensation payable from the estate assets without court order.
(2) The attorney, the personal representative, and persona bearing the impact of the compensation may agree to compensation determined in a different manner than provided in this section if the manner is disclosed to the parties bearing the impact of the compensation and if no objection is made as provided for in the Florida Probate Rules.
(3) Compensation for ordinary services of attorneys in formal estate administration is presumed to be reasonable if based on the compensable value of the estate, which is the inventory value of the probate estate assets and the income earned by the estate during the administration as provided in the following schedule:
(a) One thousand five hundred dollars for estates having a value of $40,000 or less
(b) An additional $750 for estates having a value of more than $40,000, but not exceeding $70,000.
(c) An additional $750 for estates having a value of more than $70,000 and not exceeding $100,000.
(d) For estates having a value in excess of $100,000, at the rate of 3 percent on the next $900,000.
(e) At the rate of 2.5 percent for all above $1 million and not exceeding $3 million.
(f) At the rate of 2 percent for all above $3 million and not exceeding $5 million.
(g) At the rate of 1.5 percent for all above $5 million and not exceeding $10 million
(h) At a rate of 1 percent for all above $10 million.
Losing a loved one is a difficult and trying experience, and it can be made much worse by dealing with a probate lawyer with an incomplete understanding of the state and local processes. If you have a Florida probate issue contact a Lakeland Probate Lawyer who will work to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible for you and your family during this trying time.
