Probate Administration When the Will is Lost

Question:  Before my father passed away, he told me he had appointed me personal representative of his estate.  I know I need to initiate a probate proceeding to administer his estate, but I can’t find his will.  What do I do?
Answer:    If someone dies without a will, the distribution of the decedent’s estate is governed by the laws of intestacy and the decedent is considered to have died “intestate.”  This should only be used when one has no known last will.  If a will was known to exist but is lost, Florida has procedures to establish a lost or destroyed will so that the estate is administered according to the deceased’s last will.  The essential elements of the procedure are to (1) submit a “correct copy” of the will; (2) provide testimony of at least one “disinterested witness” to the will signing and (3) provide evidence proving that the deceased did not intend to destroy the will.  Bach & Jacobs, P.A. has experience in complex probate matters.  If you are seeking to have a lost will admitted to probate, contact the attorneys at Bach & Jacobs at (941) 906-1231 for assistance.