When people say they need their loved one’s estate “probated,” it sounds like there’s only one way to do that. In fact, Florida law allows for four distinct types of probate administrations.

Which type the Law Office of Gary Landau files for you depends on the circumstances involved. Factors include the size of the estate (that is, the value of the assets to be distributed, not including life insurance with a beneficiary and some other things), and how long the person has been deceased, among others.

Of course, there are some similarities among the types of probates. Regardless of the type of probate, each case typically involves the following steps:

• Establishing the validity of the Last Will and Testament (if there is one)
  
  
• Gathering and listing the decedent’s assets, including real estate owned by the decedent, bank accounts and stock portfolios in the name of the decedent, cars, valuable artwork or jewelry, and more.
  
  
• Paying all of the decedent’s outstanding debts, including final hospital bills and funeral costs.
  
  
• Distributing the remainder of the decedent’s assets to his or her beneficiaries according to their will and the law.