Category: Probate, Estate, & Trust Litigation

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Fight a Will in Fort Lauderdale: Legal Grounds to Contest a Testament [Infographic]

July 22, 2025

If you suspect a will does not reflect the true intentions of the deceased, there are several legal grounds to fight a will in Fort Lauderdale. One major basis is undue influence—when someone manipulates or pressures the deceased into distributing their estate in a way that benefits them unfairly, diverging from what the decedent would have done independently.

Another critical factor is lack of testamentary capacity. If the person making the will was suffering from mental or physical conditions that impaired their judgment, the will may be declared invalid due to incapacity. Forgery or falsified documents can also invalidate a will. This includes forged signatures or altered content that misrepresents the true wishes of the deceased. Fraud is another serious issue such as when someone tricks the testator into signing under false pretenses or with incorrect information.

Additionally, mistakes or errors whether from confusion or unawareness that the document was a will—can render it contestable. Lastly, if the will was created under threats or force, it can be legally challenged for being made under duress, not free will.

Fight a Will in Fort Lauderdale: Legal Grounds to Contest a Testament
Fight a Will in Fort Lauderdale: Legal Grounds to Contest a Testament

Florida Probate & Estate Litigation: Contested Incapacity/Guardianship Hearings

August 15, 2018

By: Justin C. Carlin, Esq.

Chapter 744 of the Florida Statutes outlines the procedures for having someone declared legally incapacitated and appointing a “guardian” to make some or all decisions for the alleged incapacitated person (referred to as an “AIP”).  This process is known as “involuntary guardianship.”  The process begins when the person alleging incapacity files in Circuit Court both a petition to determine incapacity and a petition for the appointment of a guardian.  READ MORE

Florida Probate and Trust Litigation: Custodial Accounts and the Florida Uniform Transfer to Minors Act

February 8, 2019

Custodial accounts may be created under the Florida Uniform Transfer to Minors Act, see §710.101, et seq., Fla. Stat (2018) (the “UTMA”), so that an adult (the “custodian”) is placed in charge of a minor’s funds until the minor reaches the age of 18 years.  Such an account is frequently utilized by parents as part of a general estate plan or is the result of divorce proceedings in which the parents agree to set aside funds for their child or children. READ MORE

Florida Probate & Estate Litigation: Invalidating a Will Due to Lack of Capacity

August 9, 2018

By: Justin C. Carlin, Esq.

Capacity usually refers to a natural person’s legal ability to make binding agreements relating to their rights, duties, and obligations, such as entering into contracts, getting married, or executing wills.  For example, minors lack the capacity to enter into binding contracts and to execute wills, and certain mental conditions may render a person incapable of testamentary capacity.  Agreements made by persons who lacked capacity can be either void (invalid from the beginning) or voidable (capable of being invalidated).  In the area of probate, trusts, and estates, testamentary capacity is an important concept to keep in mind when trying to affirm the validity of a will or to attack its legality. READ MORE

Infographic: The Importance of Probate Litigation

December 11, 2018

By: The Carlin Law Firm, PLLC

This infographic explains the purpose of probate litigation and when an attorney’s assistance is required during the process. In the U.S., probate is a court proceeding to administer the estate of a deceased person. If an involved party finds that the probate process is not lawfully administered, he or she can initiate probate litigation to challenge the legal validity of the Last Will and Testament.

A probate attorney can offer a range of services during your probate litigation. For example, probate litigation attorneys can typically assist with the actual administration of the estate property, as well as with filing the decedents will with the Court. Additionally, your attorney should be able to assist you if there are any legal complications during the probate process, while aiding you with filing any necessary paperwork with the Court.

For more information on probate litigation, refer to the infographic below.

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Florida Probate & Estate Litigation: Invalidating a Will Due to Undue Influence

August 9, 2018

By: Justin C. Carlin, Esq.

Families are often a source of great joy in our lives, but there may be times when family matters may cause us unnecessary and unpleasant grievances.  This is especially true when it comes to money.  Older family members pass away, at times leaving a large estate behind for the survivors to argue over.  The manner of distribution of a decedent’s estate can be determined by a valid will or, when none exists or a will is considered invalid, by the laws on intestacy. READ MORE