Property Taxes

Hazard Insurance: Can’t Live With It, Can’t Live Without It

Where real property is being managed by the Personal Representative of a Florida estate, that person is often faced with asking themselves: what do I do about hazard insurance? When is it due for renewal? Will they renew the coverage? Homestead property- the deceased person’s permanent residence- is not necessarily the responsibility of the Personal… read more

Title Insurance: What You Need to Be Protected

Title insurance is important coverage to consider when you purchase or inherit any real estate in Florida. Florida law is clear that claims against an estate are barred (prohibited) two years after the date of death. Florida law is also clear that, with limited exceptions, one cannot directly sue the insurance company of another. You… read more

Don’t Wait to Sell that House

In ancient days, 25 years ago, many title insurance underwriters believed that an executor (personal representative) needed to get past the creditor period (3 months) before he or she could validly sell real property owned by a decedent. Those days are gone and for non-homestead property, all an executor needs is either an order approving… read more

Finally, a Book to Recommend

People often ask us if we can recommend estate administration or estate planning services, software or books, and we’ve been looking, honestly. Sadly, the answer is usually “no.” Florida law has just enough oddities that anything written for a national audience almost always fails to spot all the places where Florida law differs. But we’re… read more

Death and Taxes

One of the nastiest surprises that families involved with a Florida probate often face is the HUGE increase in property taxes on the homestead after the final owner dies. There is no change when a husband or wife passes away, provided there is a surviving spouse. However, when the survivor dies, and the homestead property… read more