ANCILLARY ADMINISTRATION IN FLORIDA

I. DECEDENT HAS BEEN DEAD IN EXCESS OF TWO YEARS

A. Testate Estate

A Florida court must be petitioned to admit the foreign will to record in any county in which the decedent owned property. This office would prepare that petition.

B. Intestate Estate

A Florida court must be petitioned in the form of a "summary administration". This office would prepare that petition.

 

II. DECEDENT HAS BEEN DEAD FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS

A. Assets are less than $75,000.00

1. Summary administration, whether testate or intestate, could be entered similar to that spelled out in Section I, Paragraph B, above assuming there are no known creditors.

2. The property would be subject to the claims of creditors for up to two years after the date of the death of the decedent.

B. Properties in excess of $75,000.00

1. A full ancillary administration including the appointment of a personal representative and publication against creditors would be necessary. This office would prepare the required documents.

 

III. TAX CLEARANCE

A. If the decedent's assets are not reportable for Federal Estate Tax purposes, an affidavit must be executed and recorded in the public records of each county where the individual owns property indicating that the assets are not subject to estate taxes. The person who signs that affidavit should be the personal representative.

B. If the decedent's estate was reportable for Federal Estate Tax purposes, a copy of the Federal Estate Tax Return must be filed with the Florida Department of Revenue for determination of the tax due to the state of Florida. This office would contact the Florida Department of Revenue. The tax due to Florida is based upon the credit for state death taxes granted by the Internal Revenue Code as the value of the Florida asset relates to the total value of assets reportable for federal estate tax purposes.

 

DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR THIS OFFICE TO PROCEED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA

A. Certified copy of death certificate.

B. Exemplified or authenticated copies of the following documents from the Domiciliary Court:

1. Will, if there is one.

2. Petition for administration, or similar document.

3. Order admitting will to probate, if there is one.

4. Order appointing personal representative.

5. Letters of administration, if still current.

6. A complete list of all assets individually owned by the decedent in the State of Florida.

7. A complete list of the decedent's assets for Federal Estate Tax purposes or a copy of the Federal Estate Tax return.

8. A list of the names and addresses of all the heirs and the relationship to the decedent.

 

CAVEAT: The above is the author's summary. None of these matters should be undertaken without advice and counsel of an experienced attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Florida.

Click for a PRINT friendly version