Spouse, relative, friend, bank trust department, lawyer; the answer depends on your individual circumstances, the nature of your assets and your over-all estate plan. Each offers advantages and disadvantages, and there is no universal answer. There are certain limitations which prevent a non-resident of the State of Florida from serving unless that person is a blood relative of yours. We will discuss this in more detail at your conference.

You can name anyone you want as your executor or personal representative, as long as that person is over the age of 18, mentally competent, and a resident of Florida. The designated personal representative must meet statutory relationship requirements if the person is not a resident of Florida. If you do not want to name an individual as personal representative, then you can name a professional fiduciary, such as a bank trust department, your attorney, or your accountant. See similar questions...

Confer with the lawyer who will serve as attorney for your estate and arrange with the lawyer for probate of your will Make tentative arrangements for support and maintenance payments to be paid to your loved ones during the settlement period See similar questions...

To help you prepare your statement here are some of the most common reasons Financial Disclosure Statements are returned to filers from their reviewers Failure to list debts (mortgage, car loans), especially if real property listed in Section 1 is subject to a mortgage See similar questions...

Decisions like this one are very personal and private, and are best discussed in a confidential setting with Richard Gaines. Yes. Making sure a disabled child is taken care of is a complicated process requiring expert guidance. See similar questions...

The personal representative does not have to be a legal or financial expert. But, s/he must have reasonable prudence and judgment and be very careful, honest, loyal, impartial and diligent. This is called a "fiduciary duty" -- the duty to act with good faith and honesty on behalf of someone else. The personal representative should have good organizational skills and be able to keep track of details. It is preferable if he or she lives nearby and is familiar with the decedent's finances. See similar questions...

Generally the executor or administrator acting in his fiduciary capacity is not personally liable for his acts. However, by accepting the position of "executor" or "administrator" of an estate, that individual is acting as a "fiduciary" to the heirs and creditors of the estate, meaning that he owes them the highest duty of care and fair dealing. See similar questions...

First, if you are an heir or beneficiary, you should write to the executor or administrator and ask for a complete accounting of his involvement in the estate. An executor or administrator is required to pass his accounts in Court within two years, or as early as one year from the date of his appointment, if an heir or beneficiary serves notice on him to do so. Everyone with a financial interest in the estate is entitled to be present and raise his or her concerns at the Court hearing. See similar questions...

Yes! We handle everything through email, faxing and registered mail. Very easy process! If you're working with a local realtor or with a lawyer, we can go through them as well. See similar questions...

No. However administering of estates can be quite complex and may require a considerable amount of time necessary to undertake all the tasks that are required. There are legal requirements that must be satisfied so you will need to comply with the law. See similar questions...

a person subject to a conservatorship or otherwise incapable of performing the duties of personal representative, a surviving business partner of the decedent, if an interested person objects (unless the Will names the partner as executor), or Not usually. But, in some situations the Court requires the personal representative to ask the Court's permission to sell real estate or business interests owned by the estate. See similar questions...

Working hand in hand with the public" Ronnie has been involved with the March of Dimes for the past two years and enjoys working with fund raisers in the County for many organizations. See similar questions...

In most instances, when a person dies owning property of any real value, it is necessary to appoint someone to administer the estate. That someone could be an individual close to the deceased, a bank or trust. That individual who acts for, or "stands in the shoes of," the deceased is called the personal representative. If the personal representative is named in a will and the will is accepted as valid that person is known as the executor. See similar questions...