Source: https://www.ocalainjurylawyersblog.com/2016/08/17/theres-will-isnt-always-way/
Timestamp: 2017-07-25 08:36:57
Document Index: 58179657

Matched Legal Cases: ['§732', '§732', '§733', '§732', '§732', '§732', '§732', '§732']

Where There’s a Will, There Isn’t Always a Way — Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog — August 17, 2016
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Wills are a very important, if not the most important, legal document that one will create during one’s life. Understandably, many people do not like thinking about their death and making a will makes them face that issue head on. However, a will is the last time you can speak to your family and provide direction regarding the transfer of your assets after your death. As a resident in Florida, in order for your will to be valid, it must comply with Florida law.
Mr. Kurth had what is called a holographic will. Holographic wills are handwritten wills that are signed by the testator and do not have to be witnessed. Florida does not accept holographic wills or nuncupative wills, those are wills that are made verbally in the presence of witnesses. In Florida, for a will to be considered valid it must be in writing, the testator must sign the will at the end, it must be witnessed by two attesting witnesses, and the witnesses must sign the will in the presence of the testator and each other. Fla. Stat. §732.502. While a self-proven affidavit is not required for a will to be valid in Florida it is an easy process and one that many Florida lawyers will include when drafting a will. A self-proven will (affidavit) is an affidavit of the Will’s authenticity that is signed by the testator, two witnesses, and notarized. Fla. Stat. §732.503(1).
Florida does not have a time frame in which a will must be probated. But once Notice of Administration is served, the party objecting to the will or filing a will contest, has three months (90 days) to file their objection. Fla. Stat. §733.212(2)(c). It is important to note that the three month time frame begins when the Notice of Administration is served, not when the decedent passed or when the will was submitted for probate.
Finally, if a will is found to be invalid, then the decedent is considered to have died intestate. Florida Statutes provide how the estate will be distributed if the decedent dies intestate. Florida Statues §732.102, §732.103, §732.105, and §732.106 governs to whom the decedent’s estate will be distributed if they die intestate. These statutes take into account if there is a surviving spouse, lineal descendants (children and grandchildren), collateral descendants (nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, and parents), half-blood descendants, and afterborn heirs (children conceived before the decedent’s death, but born after the decedent’s death). Also, Florida law declares how the estate will be divided between the heirs, which is per stirpes. Fla. Stat. §732.104.
Here at the Dean Law Firm, we are well versed not only in drafting wills but also probating estates, and litigating will and trust disputes. With over 83 years of combined experience, the attorney’s at Dean Law Firm are here to help you with your estate planning concerns and issues. Please call us at 352.387.8700 or visit our website at www.deanfirm.com.
By Dean Law Firm, LLC	Posted in: Florida Case Law and Trust and Probate	Published on: August 17, 2016	Updated:
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