Kimberly Cole, Esq.

Many families are surprised to learn that trusts are less about wealth and more about making life easier for the people you care about most.

When a loved one passes away, families are often faced with difficult decisions during an already emotional time. Many probate complications are not caused by bad intentions, but by common misunderstandings about authority, communication, asset distribution, and estate administration. In this article, Kim Cole shares five probate missteps that frequently create unnecessary stress for Florida families and explains how a little patience and guidance can help avoid them.

Serving as a personal representative is far more than an honor—it is a legally binding, time-intensive responsibility that requires careful decision-making, emotional resilience, and a clear understanding of Florida’s probate process.