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The beginning of the year is a time when many people in Florida and across the country begin thinking about how they can make improvements in their lives. For some, the start of a new year may be a catalyst for reviewing certain important matters, like their estate plans.

Getting started on an estate plan is not always an easy step. Some Florida residents may begin the process with ease because they understand the importance of having their affairs in order and know what they want their plans to include.

It is not unusual for people to want to complete their estate plans as quickly as possible. However, if Florida residents do not go over all of their available planning options, they may miss out on a tool that could help them create comprehensive plans.

Many people want to leave money or other assets to their loved ones after their passing. This type of giving can be done through one's estate plan, but it is important to use the right tools to ensure that the assets are used properly.

Settling a recently deceased individual's estate is a difficult task. The process can be long, stressful and require a lot of work. Many people are not cut out to take on the role of executor and see a Florida estate through probate, and that is not necessarily a bad thing.

When the idea of creating an estate plan comes to many people's mind, they may immediately think of the less-pleasant aspects. For instance, they may think about the fact that they will die or that they will leave their loved ones behind or any number of similar issues that could cause them to put off estate planning.

Even if a parent created an estate plan, closing his or her Florida estate can be a complicated affair. The executor will need to find those documents, go over the instructions, file the proper paperwork with the court and carry out a number of other important tasks.

Almost every family has its issues. For some, the issues may be relatively minor, and for others, serious disagreements could place them on bad terms.

Probate is the legal process of settling the final affairs of a deceased individual. While distributing inheritances and bequests is part of that process, it is not the most important part.

Many families have their fair share of disputes. In some cases, those disputes can be even more difficult to handle when they relate to distributing a deceased loved one's assets.