When an individual dies, his or her estate goes through the probate process. During the probate process, the deceased individual's assets are distributed among his or her heirs or beneficiaries. In order to begin the probate process, all interested parties must file a petition with the appropriate court. Below is an overview of the probate process in Florida.

Personal Representative Appointment

Following the filing of a probate petition, the court assesses the validity of the deceased individual's will.

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Estate planning is the process of arranging for the management and disposal of one’s estate during life and after death. Properly drafted estate plans account for both expected and unexpected life events, and they clearly address the way in which assets will be distributed in both life and death. Below is an overview of issues to consider when approaching the estate planning process in Florida.

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There are a number of factors to consider when deciding which type of bankruptcy to file for in Florida. People often assume that Chapter 7 is a better choice than Chapter 13, as it allows fillers to eliminate most outstanding debt. However, there are times in which Chapter 13 is the superior option.

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Chapter 7 bankruptcy usually involves the repayment of all or a portion of a debtor’s outstanding debts via the asset liquidation process. However, the law allows Chapter 7 filers to keep certain exempt property. Exempt property, as the name implies, is shielded from the bankruptcy process and may not be forcefully sold to pay back creditors.

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A common concern among debtors is the potential impact that bankruptcy can have on one’s credit score. This is a valid concern. However, credit score impact is just one of many factors to consider when deciding whether to file for bankruptcy. For example, allowing one’s debts to go to collections can have as much of an impact on credit score as a bankruptcy filing. Therefore, while credit impact should definitely be considered when determining whether to file for bankruptcy, it should not be the sole consideration.
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The Dangers of Filing for Bankruptcy Without an Attorney in Florida

Bankruptcy provides a means of getting one’s financial situation under control. However, due to the complexity of both the Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing processes, it can be risky to attempt to do so without the assistance of an attorney. Below are some common mistakes made by debtors when attempting to file for bankruptcy alone.

1. Filing under the wrong chapter – Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the two types of bankruptcy most commonly filed for by individual debtors. However, it can be difficult to determine which type of bankruptcy to choose, and debtors often make the mistake of filing under a chapter that is inappropriate under the circumstances.
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I Filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Florida: Can I Keep My Car?

Many people believe that Chapter 7 bankruptcy results in the liquidation of all of one’s assets. This is not always the case, however. Below is an overview of some of the options available to prevent the liquidation of one’s personal vehicle when filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Cars without Loans

When a debtor in bankruptcy owes no money on his or her car, the value of the vehicle becomes the bankruptcy estate’s property. However, in order to protect certain kinds of property from liquidation by the Chapter 7 trustee, bankruptcy law permits debtors to exempt certain items from the estate.
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Homeowners often wonder whether a mortgage may be maintained upon filing for bankruptcy. The answer to this question depends on the type of bankruptcy that is declared. Below is an overview of the ways in which home mortgages are affected by Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
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If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, there are numerous rules governing how your property can be handled. In particular, it is crucial to understand the laws regarding fraudulent conveyance before transferring any property.

What is fraudulent conveyance?

In a bankruptcy proceeding, a fraudulent conveyance involves transferring property out of the name of the debtor who is filing for bankruptcy into another person’s name with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding a creditor. Such transfers are prohibited by the Bankruptcy Code and the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (“UFTA”). In short, there are two types of fraudulent conveyance:

• Actual fraud - occurs when a debtor transfers property with the actual intent of defrauding a creditor by deliberately concealing assets.

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In the wake of the Great Recession in 2008, many Americans were pushed into bankruptcy. While the number of personal filings is now steadily declining, many individuals still struggle with managing their debts. In fact, the top five reasons people file for bankruptcy include:

• Medical Expenses
• Job Loss
• Creditor Debt
• Divorce
• Unexpected Expenses

Medical Expenses

It has been estimated that medical expenses account for more than 60 percent of personal bankruptcies. In short, a catastrophic illness or injury can easily result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Although the Affordable Care Act mandates that all Americans have health insurance, paying high deductibles and other costs can still deplete savings and other financial resources.
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When a debtor files for Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy, the primary objective is typically the discharge of some or all of his or her outstanding debt. When such debt is discharged, creditors are no longer permitted to seek collection of the discharged debt. However, filing for Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy does not guarantee that all outstanding debts will be discharged.
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