St Petersburg Probate - Probate in Florida
Christopher Q. Wintter Florida Probate Lawyer of Wintter & Associates, P.A.
Contact information: 2239 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, FL 33020 - Hollywood: 954-920-7014
Miami-Dade: 305-948-6788 - Boca Raton: 561-470-3448 - Fax: 954-920-7080
Wintter & Associates, P.A. is a Florida trust and estate law firm focusing its practice in the areas of probate administration, trust administration, guardianship administration, probate litigation, trust litigation, guardianship litigation, and estate planning. The firm's professionals are devoted to the representation of clients in estate, trust, probate, and guardianship proceedings. The firm is well known and is well respected by its colleagues, competitors, adversaries, and judges.
Christopher Q. Wintter has over 23 years of experience as a practicing attorney and is a recognized expert in Trust and Estate matters by the Florida Bar. Mr. Wintter earned his Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law (1987) and earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting with High Honors from the University of Florida (1982).
Our attorneys have a thorough understanding of the legal, tax and financial issues that come into play with complex Trusts and Estates. Mr. Wintter holds the prestigious Board Certification by the Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts, and Estates, a credential held by fewer than 350 attorneys out of the more than 90,000 attorneys licensed to practice law in Florida. Mr. Wintter has been Board Certified since 1999. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Wintter was a CPA and maintained his license as a Certified Public Accountant from 1984-2002.
To learn more about Wintter and Associates, P.A., please visit our web-site www.WintterLaw.com.
In Florida, wills that go through a formal administration of probate require that a personal representative be appointed. If you have been appointed as personal representative by the Circuit Court, you may have questions about your role in the process of probate. Florida law also requires that you be represented by a probate lawyer licensed to practice law in Florida.
Who can be appointed personal representative?
The personal representative can be an individual, trust company or bank, with certain conditions. The individual must be a resident of Florida, or a spouse, parent, child, sibling or other close relative of the decedent. A trust company that is incorporated in Florida may serve as personal representative. Likewise, a bank or savings and loan that is authorized as a fiduciary agent in Florida may serve as personal representative.
If the decedent left a will that names a personal representative, that person has preference under law to be appointed by the court. If the decedent did not name a personal representative, then the surviving spouse has preference. Second preference goes to the person selected by a majority of the heirs.
You may choose any probate attorney in the state of Florida who is of convenience to you; however, if there are issues in your probate being contested and that would require court appearances, then it would be wise to have a St. Petersburg Probate lawyer because an St. Petersburg probate attorney would be more familiar with the local Judges and Court system, and that would prove very helpful.
Why do I need a lawyer if I'm named the personal representative?
Even the simplest estate can pose legal issues that require the advice and expertise of an experienced lawyer. The lawyer for the personal representative will advise the personal representative on legal matters and represent the personal representative in legal proceedings regarding the estate.
What are the responsibilities of the personal representative?
In general, the personal representative is responsible for the overall management and disposition of the probate estate. That may involve:
- identifying all the assets belonging to the probate estate
- notifying all interested persons of the probate, Interested persons include all possible heirs and creditors who may have a claim against the estate
- verifying claims against the estate
- securing insurance and other security to safeguard the assets of the estate
- paying all bills and taxes owed by the estate
- filing all appropriate and necessary documents relating to the estate
- distributing the remaining assets after all debts and taxes are satisfied
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If you have questions concerning probate, or are considering your will and estate planning, a Florida probate lawyer can offer valuable advice. Don't risk mishandling the estate that you have been appointed to protect. You must be certain that all creditors and governmental agencies are properly paid to avoid future liability or financial problems in the future. Speak to a St. Petersburg Probate Lawyer today!
