Not all property is required to go through probate after someone passes away. Certain types of accounts and real estate can easily pass to another person without involving the Probate Court. This does not mean, however, that there is no legwork to do in such situations. An attorney can assist you with ensuring that joint accounts and other property are passed to their new owner without the need for probate. Lindsey Gardner Shneyder is a Melbourne probate lawyer who is able to assist with such issues. Contact us online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation.
Melbourne attorney assisting with transferring joint accounts after death
Certain accounts and property can pass to a loved one after death without having to go through the probate process. These include banking and investment accounts where a beneficiary has been properly named. They can also include real estate if it is titled in a certain way. Under some circumstances, it may also be possible to transfer an automobile to a new owner without having to go through the Probate Court. Avoiding probate, when possible, is always preferable as it allows for the process to be completed quickly and for a lower cost.
When a loved one passes away then most accounts can be transferred by presenting a death certificate and ID of the beneficiary to the institution where the account is. These institutions and investment houses will then transfer the account into the beneficiary’s name once they have completed their necessary steps. Real estate can also be transferred solely to one person’s name, without involving probate, if two people co-owned the property as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. This is common, for example, when two spouses own property together. Also, a vehicle can typically be transferred without probate as long as no heirs object to the transfer. Ensuring that property passes outside of probate is a key part of estate planning, but it is also important to make sure the necessary steps are followed after one has passed.
Lindsey is a Melbourne probate attorney assisting those who need to deal with joint accounts and real estate after a death. As part of handling the larger probate case, if one is even necessary, she will assist with ensuring that all jointly owned property and eligible accounts are transferred outside of the probate process. This includes helping to identify the documents to take to a given institution and how to initiate their process. Lindsey understands that this is a very stressful time and it is her goal to help you complete the process as seamlessly as possible. Contact us online or by telephone to schedule an initial consultation.
Estate planning lawyer helping Florida residents ensure that their joint accounts are properly structured
A key part of avoiding the probate process is proper estate planning. Part of the planning is ensuring that all accounts have correct beneficiary designations and that all property is titled correctly. As part of the larger process, Lindsey assists estate planning clients with ensuring that each of these affairs are in order. We understand that the best way to deal with a problem is to not have it arise in the first place. Contact our lawyer today. In addition to Melbourne, our office also services Florida clients in the Brevard County cities of Titusville, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Grant, Valkaria, and Rockledge, as well as in the Indian River County areas of Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Indian River Shores, and Orchid. We are also able to virtually work with clients throughout the state.