Attorneys can be very useful in times of bereavement. Probate complexities can be overwhelming to a grieving survivor, and lawyers trained in dealing with such complexities can be instrumental in getting through such a time. Let’s explore the ways in which hiring a probate attorney can be beneficial to the family — even prior to passing on.

A lawyer can help in many ways when it comes to writing a will. If a person dies without a will (or dying “intestate”) in Florida, their assets are divided amongst their immediate family. If the deceased has a spouse and at least one child, the first $60,000 of their estate beyond homestead entitlements, plus 1/2 the remaining estate, will go their spouse. The remainder goes to their children. If they have a spouse but no children, the entire estate goes to the spouse.