What are the benefits of making a will?

In Florida, a will gives you the ability to make sure that your money and property go to your loved ones or charities of your choosing.

When you write a will, you can choose:

  • A personal representative (executor) of your estate to handle your debts and assets
  • To also begin a trust for long-term asset management
  • Name someone as the legal guardian of your children

A will can make distributing your assets easier. Your personal representative should file the will with the Clerk of Court's Probate Division within 10 days of your death.

The will must be proven to be valid in the Probate court. The court supervises the process of distributing your assets. The court grants your personal representative the authority to collect your assets, pay your debts, and distribute your assets.

For additional information, see our Advance Planning common questions and resources.

Are you a Hillsborough County renter having housing problems? Help is available!

The Hillsborough County Housing Stability Program provides Hillsborough tenants the knowledge, resources, and services to effectively, efficiently, and amicably solve their disputes with their landlords outside the court system.

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The Legal Information Center is a free program to provide information to people who are representing themselves in Family Law cases in Hillsborough County. Get the information you need to make an informed decision about your case.

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Apply by phone Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or apply online anytime for non-emergency legal matters. Language interpreters are available to you at no cost.

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If you live or have a case in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, or Sarasota counties, we may be able to help.

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