Lyons Law Group Blog

After the death of a loved one, even a modest estate can leave family members wondering how to access bank accounts, transfer belongings, and handle final expenses. Many people assume that every estate must go through probate, but Florida law actually provides certain ways to transfer assets without a full probate proceeding. The key is …

When someone passes away in Florida, their family may need to go through probate to transfer property, address outstanding debts, and distribute assets. Florida offers different probate procedures, and the right option depends on the estate’s circumstances. Two common paths are summary administration and formal administration. Understanding how these processes differ can help families prepare …

Many Florida residents carefully create wills, establish trusts, and plan how their property should be distributed. However, one important part of an estate plan is often overlooked: beneficiary designations on financial accounts. Retirement plans, life insurance policies, annuities, and certain bank or investment accounts may transfer directly to the individuals named on the account. These …

When a Florida homeowner passes away, their mortgage payments and other property expenses don’t automatically disappear. If the home becomes part of a probate estate, someone must continue managing the financial obligations while the estate is being administered. Understanding who is responsible for these expenses can help personal representatives, heirs, and beneficiaries protect the property …

Moving into assisted living is a major life transition, and one of the biggest questions many Florida seniors and their families face is what to do with the family home. Some homeowners choose to sell the property, while others rent it, leave it vacant, or transfer it as part of an estate plan. The right …

Selling a parent’s home after their death can be an emotional and complicated process. In addition to grieving the loss of a loved one, heirs may need to navigate probate, property ownership, outstanding debts, taxes, and the sale itself. In Florida, the process depends on how the property was titled and whether the home must …

For many Florida homeowners, one of the primary goals of estate planning is ensuring that their home passes to loved ones as smoothly as possible. Probate can be time-consuming, costly, and stressful for surviving family members. Fortunately, Florida law offers a tool that may help avoid probate while allowing homeowners to maintain full control of …

For many Florida homeowners, a house is more than just a place to live. It is often their largest financial investment and a valuable asset they hope to pass on to future generations. Fortunately, Florida law offers some of the strongest homestead protections in the country through what is commonly known as the Florida Creditor …

Estate planning is important for every family, but it becomes especially critical for blended families. When spouses have children from previous relationships, stepchildren, shared children, or complex financial arrangements, creating a clear estate plan can help prevent confusion, disputes, and unintended outcomes. Without proper planning, assets may not be distributed according to your wishes, and …

When a loved one passes away and leaves behind real estate, many families wonder whether the property can be sold before the probate process is complete. The answer is often yes, but the ability to sell a house during probate in Florida depends on several factors, including how the property was owned, the type of …