Finding yourself in a conflict over a loved one’s estate can make a difficult situation much worse. Unfortunately, some disputes cannot be avoided, and if you’re concerned that a testator’s instructions might not be honored, a qualified probate litigation attorney can help protect your interests. Located in Tampa, Westchase Law P.A. advocates for estate representatives and beneficiaries in Florida probate actions. We are experienced courtroom lawyers and skilled negotiators who assess competing claims promptly and are dedicated to minimizing the time, expense and stress associated with disagreements over the creation, interpretation and execution of wills.
Once a will is filed and a personal representative is appointed, the probate process begins. The representative must serve a copy of the notice of administration on beneficiaries and other parties who might have an interest in the estate. From there, a wide range of disputes can delay the ultimate settlement of the decedent’s assets, including conflicts over:
For these and other probate litigation matters, our lawyers will make every legal effort to see that the directions left by the deceased party are followed.
Serving as the personal representative for an estate is a fiduciary duty. This means that an executor or administrator is bound to abide by the terms set forth in the will without regard for their personal interests. Conflicts can arise in these situations because often the representative is also a beneficiary or is related to one or more beneficiaries. Our firm advocates for estate representatives and those challenging wills in litigation relating to determination of heirs, interpretation of the document’s language, accounting disputes, alleged breaches of the fiduciary duty and surcharge actions where the representative can be held personally liable for mismanaging the estate.
Relying on the probate court to reach the correct decision during an estate dispute could be very costly. Our attorneys have the legal knowledge and real-world experience to assess how a judge might analyze a set of facts so that you can make an informed decision about how to proceed. It’s important to remember that courts don’t investigate underlying facts, so retaining a knowledgeable probate litigator can ensure that your side of the story is presented effectively. We will also work to negotiate a fair settlement agreement to reduce the amount of time and money you need to devote to your probate conflict.
Westchase Law P.A. advocates for clients in Florida probate litigation matters and other disputes relating to the distribution of a deceased person’s assets. To learn how we can help you, please call 813-563-1491 or contact us online to make an appointment for a consultation in Tampa.