It is clear that the next wave of technological advancement is upon us, and, as a result, privacy concerns have become a challenge for Floridians in 2023. Consumers are more aware than ever of how companies are storing and using their data, and lawmakers and regulators are seeking to address the complex problems.
But there is a major area of privacy that is being overlooked: PROBATE!
Because probate is completed through the Court system, a large part of the record is available to the public. This means that any Joe, Jack, or Johnny may be able to see your private information, including the value of your estate, how your assets were distributed, and even the guardian of your minor children. Even more, detailed accounting records are required to be filed during the probate process.
Although some assets, such as retirement accounts, life insurance, annuities, and jointly-owned property avoid probate as a normal course, other assets need to be protected in order to avoid all or some of the probate process.
It is important that estate planning and probate attorneys communicate this information to their clients before it is too late. Privacy concerns during the probate process are one of those items that your clients probably don’t even think about. The fact that you did (and that you care) illustrates to those clients why they should hire you and could be a great source of business.
Here at Attorney Services, our paralegals can help attorneys and their firms with every aspect of estate planning: from marketing your estate planning services to clients, to drafting wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents, to client billing.
Contact us today to see if we fit your needs!
