Probate is the legal process that takes place after the death of an individual to make sure that their assets are properly collected and distributed to the appropriate beneficiaries by the appointed executor. If the deceased left behind an estate plan, identifying their beneficiaries is as simple as reading the will; if not, their assets will be distributed according to Florida’s intestate succession laws.
Most assets that are solely under the name of the decedent will usually have to go through probate. Financial accounts with designated beneficiaries, property held jointly with rights of survivorship, payable on death accounts as well as assets placed in a living trust do not need to be probated.