Probate as relates to IRAs and Life Insurance

Generally speaking, the probate process in Florida begins with filing a petition for administration in the circuit court, in the county where the decedent resided at the time of their death.  From there, the next step is for the court to appoint a personal representative to administer the decedent’s estate, by issuing a court order which appoints the personal representative and issuing Letters of Administration giving the authority to the personal representative to do the administration. Simply stated, the personal representative’s job is to collect all of the decedent’s assets, prepare a list (inventory) of those assets, pay the decedent’s debts and…