Page 27 - Southen Exposure - August '22

Southern Exposure, Page 27

elder esTaTe PlaNNiNg

The Pros And Cons Of Probate

Submitted by Anné Desormier-Cartwright, Esq.

In estate planning circles, the word “probate” often was left, the system works to make sure all assets are ● If the deceased was in
comes with a starkly negative connotation. Indeed, for distributed according to state law. Here are some potential debt, probate gives only a
many people — especially those with larger estates — advantages of probating an estate: brief window for creditors
financial planners recommend trying to keep property out ● It provides a trustworthy procedure for redistributing to file a claim, which
of probate whenever possible. That being said, the probate the property of the deceased if no will was left. can result in more debt
system was ultimately established to protect the property ● It validates and enforces the intentions of the forgiveness.
of the deceased and his/her heirs, and in a few cases it deceased if a will exists. The Cons
may even work to an advantage. Let’s look briefly at the ● It ensures taxes and claimed debts are paid on the While probate is
pros and cons of going through probate. estate, so there’s a finality to the deceased person’s intended to work fairly to
The Pros affairs, rather than an uncertain, lingering feeling for the facilitate the transfer of
For some estates, especially those in which no will beneficiaries. property after someone
dies, consider bypassing the
process for these reasons:
● Probate is a matter of public record, which means
personal family and financial information become public
knowledge.
● There may be considerable costs, including court,
attorney, and executor fees, all of which get deducted
from the value of the estate.
● Probate can be time-consuming, holding up
distribution of the assets for months, and sometimes,
years.
● Probate can be complicated and stressful for your
executor and your beneficiaries.
Bottom line: While probate is a default mechanism
that ultimately works to enforce fair distribution of even
small estates, it can create undue cost and delays. For that
Gates Open: 5:00 PM // First Pitch: 6:00 PM reason, many people prefer to use strategies to keep their
property out of probate when they die.
Beer Tasting 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM A skilled estate planning attorney can develop a strategy
to help you avoid probate and make life easier for the next
generation. For more information about your options,
contact us today to schedule a consultation.
If you have questions about this or your estate plan and
what documents are necessary schedule a consultation today
by calling our office at (561) 694-7827, Anné Desormier-
Cartwright, Esq., Elder & Estate Planning Attorneys PA,
480 Maplewood Drive, Suite 3, Jupiter, FL 33458.
The content of this article is general and should not be
relied upon without review of your specific circumstances
by competent legal counsel. Reliance on the information
herein is at your own risk, as it expresses no opinion by
the firm on your specific circumstances or legal needs.
An attorney client relationship is not created through the
information provided herein.

TamPa geNeral News from page 26

regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year
2020, provided a net community benefit worth more
than $182.5 million in the form of health care for
underinsured patients, community education, and
financial support to community health organizations
in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation’s busiest adult
solid organ transplant centers and is the primary
teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani
College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters,
Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured
or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive
the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses
a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center,
and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit
is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also
is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed Level
IV neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally
accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General
Hospital’s footprint includes 17 Tampa General
Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family
Care Center Kennedy, TGH Brandon Healthplex,
TGH Virtual Health, and 19 outpatient radiology
centers. Tampa Bay area residents also receive
world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered
by Fast Track network of clinics, and they can even
receive home visits in select areas through TGH
Urgent Care at Home, powered by Fast Track. As one
of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General
Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE
Healthcare and open a clinical command center that
uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to
improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower
cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.
Photo by Tracey Benson Photography