An Unnecessary Roller-coaster: Finding the Right Wills and Probate Lawyer for your Legal Needs
“A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again,” says Alexander Pope’s poem A Little Learning. This quote is so telling and for many reasons. In the legal field and elsewhere, people unfortunately believe that they have all the answers with one glimpse at a legal article. What was Alexander Pope saying in his poem that relates to the legal field and hiring an attorney? Well, unless you fully study and know something because of your thorough research, you are likely to misleadingly believe that you know everything there is to know about a subject matter. Or in other words, unless someone is a licensed attorney, you should not believe any legal advice you may receive from them. Sure, law is a popular subject matter on social media, on TV Shows, and in films, but the portrayal in these media forms is often far from the truth.
Another popular subject in film and television is the controversial “reading of the will.” Many of the courtroom dramas in film and television allow ridiculous and show-stopping stunts to occur in the courtroom that would never happen in real life. Not only does it paint a silly picture of the actual legal field, but these may actually cause some concerns in the hearts and minds of people who are looking around in the actual legal world for assistance. The dramatization of the legal world helps sell movie tickets and boost ratings on television. However, the attributes given to the legal realm is at best an exaggerating and misleading interpretation of what really goes on. You want to avoid any unnecessary roller-coaster in the legal realm, and the best way to do that is by finding a law firm that takes your legal concerns seriously.
The most dynamic experiences in a law office or in court are when an attorney does their utmost for their client. This can be seen in a variety of law practice areas. When attorneys and their staff provide exceptional service to clients, this is what creates an exciting and momentous experience. At Bret Jones, P.A. our firm instills a belief within our work culture that providing exceptional service is our priority. With diligence and care, our wills and probate lawyer team strives for exceptionality. This means that we ensure that our clients’ needs are met first with the utmost care.
A Real Life Drama: When a Personal Representative is Removed
At times, there reaches an occasion where a personal representative must be removed. The Florida Statutes specifically state the causes for removal. These causes for removal are not as surprising, in as so much as they are specific. What are some cause for removal? Causes for removal are wide-ranged. Florida Statute 733.504 states twelve causes for removal as representative:
“Adjudication that the personal representative is incapacitated.”- “Physical or mental incapacity rendering the personal representative incapable of the discharge of his or her duties.”
- “Failure to comply with any order of the court, unless the order has been superseded on appeal.”
- “Failure to account for the sale of property or to produce and exhibit the assets of the estate when so required.”
- “Wasting or maladministration of the estate.”
- “Failure to give bond or security for any purpose.”
- “Conviction of a felony.”
- “Insolvency of, or the appointment of a receiver or liquidator for, any corporate personal representative.”
- “Holding or acquiring conflicting or adverse interests against the estate that will or may interfere with the administration of the estate as a whole. This cause of removal shall not apply to the surviving spouse because of the exercise of the right to the elective share, family allowance, or exemptions, as provided elsewhere in this code.”
- “Revocation of the probate of the decedent’s will that authorized or designated the appointment of the personal representative.”
- “Removal of domicile from Florida, if domicile was a requirement of initial appointment.”
- “The personal representative was qualified to act at the time of appointment but is not now entitled to appointment.”
The following portions of the section, Florida Statutes 733.505 & 733.506 detail the “Jurisdiction in Removal Proceedings” and “Proceedings for Removal”. The remainder of Part V of Chapter 733 of the Florida Statutes delineate the procedures and items that need to be addressed upon the removal of a personal representative. A wills and probate lawyer can help guide through the murky waters that may be left after a personal representative has been removed. Each set of circumstances is unique, but upon the removal of a personal representative situations may arise that cause unnecessary disruptions to the administration of probate. With a wills and probate lawyer at your side, you need not worry about overlooking necessary and requisite steps to take in probate proceedings.
Our wills and probate lawyer team at Bret Jones, P.A. address each issue that presents itself during the probate administration proceedings with absolute vigor. At the firm of Bret Jones, P.A. precision and dedication are a large part of our work ethic and mentality. We seek to provide the service that we would want provided to our families and friends. You deserve a firm that aims to provide professional and quality legal services. Avoid an unnecessary rollercoaster by choosing a law firm that will take you and your concerns with the utmost sincerity. At Bret Jones, P.A. our wills and probate lawyer team understand the complexity of probate law. Each of us have our own personal struggles and unique set of circumstances, but that shouldn’t prevent you from receiving the best legal services available. A wills and probate lawyer is there to create an atmosphere of efficiency and support. Don’t compromise your expectations for quality and exceptional service. Our attorneys and staff at Bret Jones, P.A. are the law firm you’ve been seeking.