F.S. 732.901 Production of Wills: The custodian of a Will must deposit the Will with the Clerk of the Court having venue of the estate of the decedent within 10 days after receiving information that the testator is dead.

You must see your attorney and advise him of your financial situation in order to preserve your assets and have them distributed as you desire.

F.S. 732.107 - Escheat: When a person leaving an estate dies without being survived by any person entitled to it, the property shall escheat to the State.

Claim forms are available from the Clerk's Office and must be filed in duplicate within three (3) months from the date of the first publication of the Notice of Administration.

No, there is no fee for filing a claim.

F. S. 733.101 Venue of Probate Proceedings: The venue of Probate of all Wills and granting of Letters shall be in the county in the state where the decedent had his domicile.

No, a will cannot be deposited with the Court before the death of the testator.

No. You should contact the Conservator of the property of this missing person. The same would apply to a Curatorship or Guardianship.

Call the county in question about the requirements for a small estates letter.

Because the purpose of the Small Estates department is to reimburse the person who has paid the funeral bill.

Certified copies cost $1.00 per page for copying and $2.00 to certify the entire document. So, a certified copy of a one page document would be $3.00, a three page document $5.00 and so on.

Yes, if there is/are no liens.

Decedent must have been a resident of Hernando County, Death Certificate(s) for each person on account (must accompany the affidavit), Last Will and Testament (original), Last Bank Statement or Copy of Bonds/Check (whichever applies, must have name and address for recipient of letter, the amount and account numbers on letterhead or correspondence), Paid Funeral Bill, Valid Driver's License or State Identification Card (for person filling out the form), and $231.00 Filing Fee. TOTAL ASSETS CANNOT BE MORE THAN $5,000.00 AND CANNOT BE REAL PROPERTY.

Record Searches are $2.00 per year payable in advance or you can visit the Clerk's Office and utilize one of the public access terminals available to the public at no charge.

No.

This is a legal process provided for by Florida law which determines the value of a deceased person's property and its distribution to heirs.

Proceedings are held in the Circuit Court of the county where the deceased was domiciled or owned property.

Probate is necessary to collect and determine the estate's assets and to protect the assets of the estate, to provide a means of converting assets to cash to distribute to beneficiaries or to pay creditors/taxes, to determine who is entitled to share in the estate and to distribute the property to the proper parties.

The property will be distributed in accordance with Florida law.

Most wills are valid in the State of Florida, even if the decedent is a resident of another state or country. However, there are certain standards which must be complied with.

Yes. You will need to file a Statement of Claim. This form is available from the Clerk in the Probate Division. The claim must be filed after the Notice of Administration is published and before the time period is expired. The time period is usually ninety (90) days.

There is a program designed to help guardians understand some of the basics involving guardianships. This program is offered by The Hernando County Guardianship Program, Inc. Their telephone number is (352) 683-0718.

Yes, the judge reviews all guardians' qualifications. Potential guardians must have a background check for criminal history, including a fingerprint screening completed, as well as a credit check.