Your Pet Iguana Can’t Inherit Your House

The Cost of Probate in Florida: Living Trust vs. Probate vs. Will

When someone passes away in Florida, their estate must go through a legal process to distribute their assets. This process is called probate, and it can be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful for loved ones. However, a properly funded living trust can help avoid probate altogether, making the transition much smoother.

Let's take a closer look at the cost of probate for someone who did not have a living trust versus someone who did.

Your Pet Iguana Can’t Inherit Your House

We’ve seen it before: people assume their loved ones “just know” what they’d want. But without a proper estate plan, Florida law doesn’t care about what your cousin Jimmy, your neighbor Carol, or even your pet iguana think should happen.

Here’s the truth:

• Pets can’t inherit property (sorry, Rex the iguana).
• “Handshake deals” don’t hold up in court.
• And if you don’t have a plan, the state of Florida has one for you — and you may not like it.

That’s why a will or trust isn’t just for the wealthy — it’s for anyone who wants to make sure their family (and maybe their pets) are taken care of the right way.

Estate Planning and Probate News

The Cost of Probate in Florida: Living Trust vs. Probate vs. Will

Your Pet Iguana Can’t Inherit Your House

Contact Us