At Tampa Bay Elder Law Center
Compassionate Guidance for Families Navigating Life After Loss or Incapacity
At Tampa Bay Elder Law Center, we help individuals and families across Florida, especially in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties, through the often confusing and emotional process of probate and trust administration. Whether you’re settling a loved one’s estate or planning ahead to avoid probate, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
At Tampa Bay Elder Law Center, our goal is to simplify the legal process and protect your family’s financial future.
At Tampa Bay Elder Law Center
How We Help
Guiding You Through the Legal Process
Losing a loved one is hard enough—navigating the legal system shouldn’t add to that burden. We offer clear, compassionate guidance so you can move forward with confidence.
We take the time to explain your options in simple terms, so you fully understand your responsibilities and how to handle your loved one’s assets legally and effectively.
At Tampa Bay Elder Law Center
Probate Administration
If a will exists, or if your loved one died without one, the estate may need to go through probate.
Probate is a court-supervised process to:
- Validate the will (if there is one)
- Inventory and value the estate’s assets
- Pay outstanding debts and taxes
- Distribute assets to heirs
As your probate attorney in Tampa, we help you:
- File the necessary documents with the court
- Identify which assets go through probate and which do not
- Notify creditors and beneficiaries
- Ensure legal compliance every step of the way
We handle probate cases across all Florida counties.
At Tampa Bay Elder Law Center
Trust Administration
If your loved one had a revocable living trust or another form of trust in place, you may be able to avoid probate altogether.
As your trust attorney in Tampa, we help trustees:
- Understand their fiduciary duties
- Administer trust assets in accordance with the trust document
- Communicate with beneficiaries
- Handle tax filings and recordkeeping
- Distribute property efficiently and legally
At Tampa Bay Elder Law Center
Probate Avoidance
One of the most valuable services we offer is helping clients avoid probate altogether.
Through estate planning tools such as:
- Revocable living trusts
- Joint ownership arrangements
- Durable powers of attorney
- Beneficiary designations (e.g., life insurance, IRAs)
- Lady Bird deeds (enhanced life estate deeds)
We help ensure your assets pass smoothly to your loved ones, without court involvement.
Planning ahead brings peace of mind and protects your family from unnecessary stress and expenses.
At Tampa Bay Elder Law Center
Probate in Any Florida County
Although we are based in the Tampa Bay area, we can handle probate matters in any county in Florida. Our remote capabilities and flexible communication make the process easier for families, no matter where they live.
At Tampa Bay Elder Law Center
Why Choose Tampa Bay Elder Law Center?
We care. We listen. We help you through difficult times.
We have decades of experience in Probate and Trust Administration and offer:
- Clear explanations
- Personalized strategies
- Empathy and discretion
We don’t just do the paperwork, we make sure you understand the process and feel supported the entire way.
At Tampa Bay Elder Law Center
How We Help
Tampa Bay Elder Law Center assists personal representatives (also known as executors) and trustees with every step of the probate or trust administration process, including:
- Filing necessary court documents
- Managing estate and trust assets
- Communicating with heirs and creditors
- Ensuring proper legal compliance
- Finalizing distributions and closing the estate or trust
Whether the estate or trust is large or small, simple or complex, we provide clear legal direction to help avoid delays, disputes, or costly mistakes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a probate and a trust administration?
Probate is a court process that oversees the distribution of a deceased person’s assets. A trust is a legal arrangement that can transfer assets outside of probate, usually faster and more privately, and help with management of assets for an incapacitated individual.
What does trust administration do?
Trust administration is the legal process of managing and distributing trust assets after the death of the person who created the trust, or managing the trust assets of an incapacitated individual. The trustee follows the instructions outlined in the trust document.
What assets do not go through probate?
Assets that typically avoid probate include:
What type of lawyer is best for trusts?
An attorney with experience in trust and probate administration is best suited. Look for someone who understands both the legal and family dynamics involved.
Why use a trust to avoid probate?
Trusts allow for quicker distribution of assets, privacy from court proceedings, and can help avoid disputes among beneficiaries. They can also help plan for incapacity during the grantor’s lifetime.
Contact US
Contact Tampa Bay Elder Law Center for Probate and Trust Assistance in Tampa
Whether you’re grieving the loss of a loved one or planning ahead to protect your family, you don’t have to face this alone. As a trusted probate and trust law firm in Tampa, Tampa Bay Elder Law Center provides compassionate legal guidance grounded in experience and care.
Contact Tampa Bay Elder Law Center today to schedule a consultation.
Let’s bring peace of mind to your legal journey.