Miami Probate Lawyers

Randy A. Bryant’s extensive knowledge and comprehensive understanding of probate law allow the Bryant Law Firm to handle a wide variety of probate matters, including probate administration and litigation, wills and trusts, will contests, and guardianships. Additionally, the Bryant Law Firm represents clients in their personal injury and wrongful death matters. We recognize that many of our clients may have concerns that encompass several areas of the law. For instance, probate, trust, and guardianship matters are often closely related. For this reason, the Bryant Law Firm takes pride in working with clients to identify all of their legal options, and to develop a case strategy that will best serve the client’s interests.

At the Bryant Law Firm, Miami probate attorney Randy A. Bryant believes in providing the highest quality of service to all clients, whether their matter involves the crafting of a simple will or contesting a complicated inheritance arrangement across international boundaries. Our goal is to provide clients with exceptional personal service with low overhead cost. For this reason, we strive to keep our costs and fees reasonable when providing clients with assistance on probate matters. When claims may involve wrongful death or personal injury matters, we handle such cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we will only charge a fee after your case is successfully resolved.

At the Bryant Law Firm, we provide our clients with the resources and advocacy of a large firm, but also with the personal attention and close working relationship in which we believe. We understand that legal proceedings and probate matters can often seem unavoidably complex and confusing. At the Bryant Law Firm, our probate lawyers assist Miami residents in a manner that is straightforward, open, and educational. We work to ensure that:

• We are always accessible to our clients;
• We promptly return all phone calls and emails;
• Our clients have the best possible understanding of their rights throughout their legal proceeding; and
• We serve as a guide for our clients, helping them navigate difficult legal issues.

Probate

When a Florida resident or someone with property in Florida dies, their assets will need to be distributed to the appropriate beneficiaries. This often involves going through the process of probate in a specialized division of Florida state court. Probate can be handled through either formal administration or summary administration, which is a streamlined version of the process that may apply when the deceased person has relatively few assets. Certain types of assets do not need to pass through probate, such as assets contained in a trust or assets with a designated beneficiary. By contrast, any assets in a will must go through probate to make sure that the appropriate heirs receive them. If there is no will and no designated beneficiary for an asset, it will pass according to the rules of intestate succession. Probate can be lengthy and complicated, but our Miami probate lawyers have the knowledge and skills to capably guide you through this process.

Estate Planning

To make sure that your assets pass as you prefer upon your death, you may need to craft estate planning instruments such as a will or trust. We can help you with devising a will that meets the requirements in Florida. For example, the will must be properly witnessed and must be notarized as required by law. If you decide to change your will, you can do this at any time by writing a new will or adding a document called a codicil, which must meet the same requirements as the original will. In a will, you also can choose the personal representative for your estate and appoint a guardian for any minor children. Meanwhile, you can establish a trust at any point during your lifetime to hold assets so that they do not need to go through probate. The trust will be managed by trustees for the benefit of the grantor (the person who created the trust) or beneficiaries. Our attorneys can assist you with creating a trust that meets the requirements and serves your purposes.

Guardianships

In addition to providing representation as probate attorneys in the Miami area, we can assist families with the process of establishing a guardianship. This may prove necessary if someone lacks the ability to handle their own affairs but has not designated someone to serve as their guardian. In some rare cases, a child also may need to have a guardian appointed. Guardianships can be limited or plenary, meaning that they can cover some or all matters related to the incapacitated person. Some guardianships are known as guardianships of the person, which involve making decisions about medical and personal care. Other guardianships are guardianships of property, which are limited to handling property, investments, and other financial matters. We can also assist you with alternatives to a guardianship, such as a durable power of attorney that designates an individual to handle your affairs if you become incapacitated.

Elder Law

Aging people are often vulnerable to neglect or outright abuse. A common form of elder abuse is financial abuse of a senior citizen by someone whom they trust. This might be a family member, or this might be a financial professional such as an investment adviser. A breach of fiduciary duty claim might arise in this situation, since investment advisers owe a high fiduciary duty to act in the interest of each client, rather than allowing their self-interest to shape their decisions. In other situations, the abuse or mistreatment may take physical or psychological forms. Nursing home residents are especially at risk. These facilities may be understaffed and may not properly review the records of their employees before hiring them. Neglect and abuse in nursing homes can lead to serious physical and mental health conditions and even death. Our attorneys are ready to advocate for families whose loved ones have suffered harm in these facilities.

Personal Injury

If you have been harmed because someone else acted carelessly, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim against whoever was responsible. You would need to show that they failed to take the proper care under the circumstances and that this directly led to the accident in which you were hurt. The most common example of a personal injury claim is a car accident case, but they can also arise from incidents such as slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, and encounters with defective products. Also, if an accident claims the life of a victim, their loved ones may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. Like other civil claims, personal injury lawsuits need to be brought within a certain statute of limitations under Florida law, so investigating your case promptly is critical. You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income and earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.

Contact a Probate Attorney in the Miami Area or Seek Guidance in Another Civil Matter

Attorney Randy A. Bryant and the Bryant Law Firm are committed to assisting you in all of your probate matters. All of our consultations are confidential and free of charge. Our office in Coconut Grove serves clients throughout Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, the Keys, and all of South Florida. We frequently work with clients from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and throughout Central America, and we are available to speak with you about your concerns in Spanish or English. If you have questions or concerns related to a will, living will, power of attorney, guardianship, probate matter, or accident, seek the guidance of an experienced attorney. Contact the Bryant Law Firm at 305.456.2777. You can also contact us online.