Inheritance Attorney in Boca Raton

Protecting Inheritance Rights in Florida Since 2002

We represent heirs, beneficiaries, personal representatives, trustees, and family members facing disputes over Florida wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and inheritance distributions. A loved one has passed, and now there are questions about who receives what, whether documents are valid, or whether someone took advantage of them late in life.

At Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A., we help heirs, beneficiaries, personal representatives, and trustees throughout Florida navigate these difficult situations. Our attorneys handle probate, trust, and estate litigation, and we work to protect our clients’ rights while respecting the wishes of the person who passed away whenever Florida law allows. We offer a free initial consultation so you can talk through what is happening without pressure.

Call (954) 764-7273 or Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation about your inheritance dispute.

Inheritance Disputes in Boca Raton

People often contact us because something about the estate or trust simply doesn’t feel right. A will was changed shortly before death, a new caregiver suddenly became the main beneficiary, or one sibling has control of information and refuses to share it. Others are personal representatives or trustees who want to do the right thing but are being accused of misconduct.

Heirs & Beneficiaries Seeking Their Inheritance

We represent adult children, surviving spouses, other heirs, and beneficiaries who have been omitted from estate documents, denied information, or affected by a disputed distribution. The disagreement may involve whether a document is valid, how its terms should be interpreted, or whether assets were transferred before death under suspicious circumstances.

Personal Representatives & Trustees Facing Claims

We also represent fiduciaries, meaning people legally responsible for administering an estate or trust for others. Personal representatives and trustees may need advice about disputed accountings, demands for information, proposed distributions, conflicts among beneficiaries, or allegations of breach of fiduciary duty. Because we prosecute and defend estate-related claims, we can assess the legal and factual issues from both perspectives.

Families Investigating Suspicious Transfers

Concerns may extend beyond a will or trust. We handle disputes involving beneficiary-designation changes, deeds, lifetime gifts, alleged power-of-attorney misuse, elder exploitation, and transfers benefiting a caregiver, relative, or new partner. The available claim can depend on who owned the asset, how it was transferred, and what evidence exists about the decedent’s capacity and relationships at the time.

These disputes often involve real estate, investment accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance proceeds, personal property, or long-standing family businesses. An asset passing through probate may require a different analysis from one held in a trust, owned jointly, or transferred through a beneficiary designation.

Our attorneys work on cases involving will contests, trust challenges, questions about beneficiary designations, and claims that someone misused a power of attorney before death. Since 2002, we have represented more than 5,000 clients in estate-related disputes throughout Florida. This experience helps us recognize patterns, anticipate defenses, and explain your options in plain language.

Florida law generally requires interested parties to act within defined time periods, especially once they receive certain court notices or copies of estate documents. If you’re concerned about an inheritance involving property or accounts in Palm Beach County, talking with an attorney early can help protect your rights and reduce the risk of missed opportunities.

Focused Probate, Trust & Estate Litigation

At Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A., probate, trust, and estate litigation is the core of what we do.

Results & Recognition

Since opening our doors in 2002, we have secured more than $230 million in verdicts and settlements in probate, trust, and estate litigation matters. That number reflects years of handling complex, high-stakes disputes rather than a promise about any particular case.

Our founding partner holds an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a “10-Superb” rating from Avvo, and has been recognized among Florida’s Legal Elite, as well as by Forbes Florida and American Lawyer.

Personal Attention & Broad Perspective

We also understand how personal these matters are. Inheritance disputes often reopen old family wounds and create new ones. Our attorneys listen carefully to your concerns, review documents with you, and explain options in straightforward terms. We aim to balance a calm, thoughtful approach with firm advocacy where your rights or a vulnerable loved one’s legacy are at stake.

Our team brings diverse backgrounds to your case. Members of our firm have experience in estate planning, uncontested probate, law enforcement, and courtroom litigation. This combination helps us spot issues such as elder exploitation, financial irregularities, and breaches of fiduciary duty that might not be obvious at first glance. Your first consultation with us is complimentary, and it is focused on understanding your situation and discussing potential paths forward.

Common Inheritance Issues in Florida

Florida probate and trust law recognizes several situations where a will, trust, or transfer can be challenged, or where a fiduciary can be called to account.

Will Contests & Trust Challenges

One set of issues involves the validity of estate planning documents. A will or trust may be challenged if the person who signed it lacked the mental capacity to understand what they were doing, or if someone exerted undue influence over them. Undue influence means excessive persuasion that overcomes a person’s free choice and causes a result benefiting the influencer.

Evidence may involve isolating a vulnerable person, controlling access to information, arranging document preparation, or pressuring the person to make unexpected changes. Fraud, improper execution, conflicting amendments, and lack of testamentary capacity can also be relevant. Testamentary capacity is the mental ability required to understand the act of making a will, the general nature of one’s property, and the people who would ordinarily receive it. There are also legal requirements for how wills must be signed and witnessed in Florida, and a failure to follow those rules can create grounds for challenge.

Trustee & Personal Representative Conduct

Another area of concern is conduct by fiduciaries such as personal representatives and trustees. These individuals have duties under Florida law to act in the best interests of the estate or trust and its beneficiaries. Problems can arise when someone delays administration without good reason, fails to provide information or accountings, favors certain beneficiaries, mixes estate funds with their own, or sells property for less than fair value. In some cases, these situations involve mistakes or confusion. In others, they may involve misconduct that needs court attention.

Beneficiary Designations & Lifetime Transfers

We regularly see disputes over beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance, conflicts between earlier and later estate planning documents, and questions about gifts or transfers that occurred shortly before death. Reviewing a disputed designation may require examining the account or policy terms, the timing of the change, the owner’s capacity, and the circumstances surrounding the person who benefited.

People also seek advice when they believe a caregiver or new partner received an outsized share of assets compared to long-standing family members. Related matters can involve deeds, joint accounts, powers of attorney, alleged tortious interference with an inheritance, or assets transferred during the decedent’s lifetime. Tortious interference with an inheritance is a claim alleging that intentional wrongdoing prevented someone from receiving an inheritance or gift they otherwise would have received.

Some of the inheritance disputes we handle include:

• Challenges to wills or trusts based on undue influence, lack of capacity, fraud, or improper execution
• Claims arising from misuse of a power of attorney or exploitation of the elderly
• Disputes over actions taken by personal representatives or trustees
• Conflicts involving beneficiary designations on accounts or life insurance
• Contested distributions of real estate or business interests located in Boca Raton

What to Do If You Suspect an Inheritance Problem

Realizing that something may be wrong with an inheritance can be unsettling. You may feel torn between wanting to keep peace in the family and wanting to stand up for yourself or another loved one. Taking measured steps early can preserve your options while you decide how to proceed.

It is usually wise to avoid signing releases or settlement documents before you understand the full picture. You may be asked to approve accountings, deeds transferring property, waivers, or agreements that limit your ability to challenge distributions later. The legal effect depends on the document and surrounding circumstances, so talking with an attorney first can help you understand the implications.

Helpful steps if you’re concerned about an inheritance include:

• Collect copies of any will or trust, amendments, account statements, deeds, or court papers you have received
• Preserve earlier versions of estate documents and records showing significant changes in finances or personal relationships
• Keep written records of communications with the personal representative, trustee, financial institution, or other family members
• Avoid deleting messages, changing files, or altering documents that may help establish what occurred
• Avoid making accusations in writing until you have legal advice, as messages can be used as evidence
• Note when you received formal probate notices, trust notices, accountings, or correspondence from an attorney
• Schedule a consultation with a Florida inheritance lawyer to review your situation and any deadlines that may apply

During an initial consultation with our firm, we typically review the documents you have, listen to your account of what has happened, and discuss potential legal issues under Florida law. We can explain, for example, whether you may have standing to contest a will or challenge actions by a trustee of one of the trusts holding Boca Raton assets.

We can also discuss potential claims, defenses, negotiation, mediation, and litigation. If you live outside Florida but have an interest in an estate or trust administered here, we can review the Florida proceeding and help you understand what participation may be required.

How Our Attorneys Approach Your Case

Every case is different, but many Florida inheritance matters follow common stages, especially when they involve estates or trusts with assets in Palm Beach County.

Document Review & Strategy

We begin with a careful review of the facts and documents. This typically includes the current will or trust and any earlier versions, financial records, medical information where appropriate, and court filings if a probate case is already pending. We work to identify legal issues such as potential undue influence, lack of capacity, breaches of fiduciary duty, document conflicts, suspicious financial activity, or exploitation concerns.

Once we have a clearer understanding of the situation, we discuss potential strategies with you. In some cases, it may be possible to resolve disputes through negotiation or mediation. In others, court hearings or trials may be necessary to protect your interests. Our attorneys have represented both beneficiaries and fiduciaries in contested probate and trust litigation matters, so we understand the pressures on both sides.

Communication & Resolution

We keep you informed about developments, explain procedural steps in understandable terms, and provide candid advice about risks and potential outcomes. Our team’s diverse backgrounds, which include estate planning and prior law enforcement experience, help us evaluate suspicious financial activity, possible exploitation of an elderly person, and witness credibility.

Throughout your case, we work to balance efficient resolution with thorough preparation. Many clients prefer to resolve inheritance disputes without extended litigation when a fair solution is available. At the same time, we are prepared to litigate when necessary to uphold valid documents, challenge improper conduct, or defend against unfounded claims involving estates and trusts tied to Boca Raton.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Challenge a Will in Florida?

You may be able to challenge a will if you have standing and a legally recognized basis, such as undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity, fraud, or improper execution. Your rights and deadlines depend on the notices served, the probate proceeding, and the facts of your case.

What Rights May I Have If I Was Left Out of a Will?

Being omitted from a will doesn’t automatically determine whether you have a claim. A prior will, surviving-spouse rights, protected-homestead rules, the validity of the current will, and assets passing outside probate may affect your rights.

Can I Challenge a Beneficiary Designation?

A beneficiary designation on a retirement account, life-insurance policy, or financial account may be challenged in some circumstances. The analysis may involve the account terms, timing of the change, owner’s capacity, undue influence, fraud, and applicable law.

What Should I Bring to a Consultation?

Bring any wills, trusts, amendments, probate notices, account statements, deeds, beneficiary-designation records, correspondence, and earlier estate documents available to you. A timeline of important events and a list of the people involved can also help us assess the dispute.

Can Your Team Represent Me If I Live Outside Florida?

Yes. We assist heirs and beneficiaries who live outside Florida when an estate or trust is administered here. The participation required will depend on the proceeding and the issues involved.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire Your Firm?

The cost of an inheritance dispute varies with complexity, the amount at stake, the work required, and how contested the matter becomes. We offer a free initial consultation to learn about your case and discuss possible fee structures. During that meeting, we can explain the likely work involved and how fees would be handled.

How Long Do Inheritance Disputes Usually Take?

Inheritance disputes can range from a few months to several years, depending on the issues, available evidence, court schedule, discovery needs, and whether the parties reach an agreement. During our initial review, we can discuss the stages that may apply to your case without promising a specific timeline.