Delzer, Coulter & Bell, P.A.

Probate is required when there are assets in a decedent’s sole or individual name (without a beneficiary designation or joint ownership). Probate begins with the Personal Representative filing a Petition for Administration in the Probate Court. The Personal Representative must retain an attorney in order to file the Petition for Administration. The probate administration is opened through the issuance of Letters of Administration to the Personal Representative within approximately one to two weeks from the filing of the Petition for Administration. Once Letters of Administration are issued by the Court, a Notice to Creditors must be published in a local newspaper and all ascertainable creditors of the decedent served with a Notice to Creditors. Proper notification of creditors is a critical aspect of the responsibilities of the Personal Representative and requires the advice and assistance of an attorney. If there are no difficulties or delays in the administration of the estate, estate proceedings are typically concluded within six months.

As a Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates attorney, and as a former attorney with the Internal Revenue Service, Wayne R. Coulter is able to provide valuable advice. Since our office specializes in estate planning and estate and trust administrations, our office is able to proceed expeditiously with estate administrations and to provide our clients with comprehensive legal and tax advice. If the estate requires the filing of a U.S. Estate Tax Return, Wayne R. Coulter, a former attorney with the Internal Revenue Service Estate Tax Division, is able to provide the advice and assistance needed for filing the U.S. Estate Tax Return.

Our office offers a free consultation to families to provide an evaluation of the probate procedures required.