Florida Probate Litigation Attorneys

What Are the Grounds for Contesting a Will?

There are several grounds for contesting a decedent’s will, including:

• Mistake in Execution:F.S.§732.502 sets forth the execution requirements for a will to be valid in the State of Florida. If any of these provisions are not met, the document is not a valid will under Florida law.
• Undue Influence: This type of claim challenges whether the person making the will did so freely and without being coerced by a person who was in a position of trust and control.
• Lack of Testamentary Capacity: This claim is asserted based upon the belief that at the time the will was executed, its creator did not have the requisite mental ability to understand the amount and nature of their property, the family members and loved ones who would ordinarily receive such property, and how the will disposes of such property.

The standard for “testamentary capacity” is not as high as general competency. A person need only understand the nature and extent of their assets and the natural objects of their bounty. Lack of capacity can be the result of the natural aging process or the result of a person being on a substantial amount of medication. Lack of capacity litigation relies on medical records and the irrational conduct of the testator prior to executing the will.

Disputing Validity Of Trusts And Beneficiary Disputes

One primary reason for contesting a trust is undue influence. If it can be demonstrated that the settlor (the individual who created the trust) was unduly pressured or manipulated into establishing the trust—especially during periods of declining health or following a second marriage—the trust may be deemed invalid. Additionally, questions often arise regarding the settlor's mental competency at the time the trust was drafted. Should evidence suggest that the settlor lacked the cognitive ability to comprehend the trust's terms and ramifications, this could serve as a strong basis for challenging the document's validity.

Additionally, questions about whether the trust was created for a valid purpose, or if it includes unidentified or unascertainable beneficiaries, can also be grounds for dispute. Trusts that designate a single individual as both the sole trustee and beneficiary may similarly face challenges.

Probate litigation often involves actions against trustees. As local probate litigation attorneys near you in Fort Lauderdale, we represent clients in cases where trustees may be accused of negligence or misconduct. Trustees have fiduciary duties to the beneficiaries, including loyalty, impartiality, prudence in investments, and avoiding conflicts of interest. If a trustee fails in these duties, it may result in losses to the estate, prompting actions for their removal or efforts to recoup losses through surcharge actions or accounting disputes.

Our experienced team is dedicated to navigating these complex legal landscapes to protect your interests and ensure the proper administration of trusts and estates. 

We Handle A Wide Range Of Probate Litigation Matters

Please get in touch with Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A., if you need assistance with any of the following probate litigation matters:

• Will Construction: Sometimes wills are vague, beneficiaries have died or disappeared, or the document does not properly dispose of the entire estate. In these instances, the assistance of the court is sought to determine how a decedent’s estate should be distributed.
• Determination of Heirs: If a decedent leaves no will and had little contact with their family, the heirs need to be determined by the court. Unacknowledged children who wish to prove paternity/maternity can also attempt to claim an estate.
• Elective Share Litigation: The surviving spouse of a person who dies domiciled in Florida has the right to a share of the elective estate. In general, absent a valid pre-marital agreement, a surviving spouse has the right to claim 30% of the elective estate.
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty: A person appointed by the court to administer a decedent’s estate has duties and responsibilities with which they are charged. Failure to properly administer an estate, either by overt act or by omission, can be actionable. Sometimes the remedy sought is removal of the fiduciary. When funds have been wasted or mismanaged or excessive fees have been taken, the remedy can be a surcharge action. Fiduciaries can be removed by the court for cause.
• Accounting: Beneficiaries have the right to an accounting. If one has not been provided, then a beneficiary can seek the court’s assistance to compel the fiduciary to account for the estate assets. If accounting has been provided and is objectionable for any reason, then the beneficiary can object to the accounting.

Our Probate Litigator Can Help You Pursue Justice

A dedicated probate litigation attorney in Fort Lauderdale at Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A. understand that while clients are best served by first attempting to negotiate an honest, fair, and prompt resolution to a dispute, it often becomes necessary for us to litigate in order to preserve and protect their rights, assets, or inheritance. We have been serving clients in Florida since 2002, and we are prepared to lend our breadth of litigation experience to assist with your complicated legal matters.

Related Probate Litigation Blogs

• Florida Probate Litigation: Stealing from an Estate
• Probate Litigation: Absence of an Original Will

Call (954) 764-7273 to request a complimentary consultation with our probate litigation attorneys.