TERMS OF USE

LCOLawFlorida.com respects your rights.

We have taken every effort to design our Website to be useful, informative, helpful, honest and fun. Hopefully we’ve accomplished that — and would ask that you let us know if you’d like to see improvements or changes that would make it even easier for you to find the information you need and want. All we ask is that you agree to abide by the following Terms of Use. Take a few minutes to look them over because by using our site you automatically agree to them. Naturally, if you don’t agree, please do not use the site. We reserve the right to make any modifications that we deem necessary at any time. Please continue to check these terms to see what those changes may be! Your continued use of the LCOLawFlorida.com Web site means that you accept those changes.

THANKS AGAIN FOR VISITING!

Restrictions On Use Of Our Online Materials

All Online Materials on the LCOLawFlorida.com site, including, without limitation, text, software, names, logos, trademarks, service marks, trade names, images, photos, illustrations, audio clips, video clips, and music are copyrighted intellectual property. All usage rights are owned and controlled by LCOLawFlorida.com. You, the visitor, may download Online Materials for non-commercial, personal use only provided you 1) retain all copyright, trademark and proprietary notices, 2) you make no modifications to the materials, 3) you do not use the materials in a manner that suggests an association with any of our products, services, events or brands, and 4) you do not download quantities of materials to a database, server, or personal computer for reuse for commercial purposes. You may not, however, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit or distribute Online Materials in any way or for any other purpose unless you get our written permission first. Neither may you add, delete, distort or misrepresent any content on the LCOLawFlorida.com site. Any attempts to modify any Online Material, or to defeat or circumvent our security features is prohibited.

Everything you download, any software, plus all files, all images incorporated in or generated by the software, and all data accompanying it, is considered licensed to you by LCOLawFlorida.com or third-party licensors for your personal, non-commercial home use only. We do not transfer the title of the software to you. That means that we retain full and complete title to the software and to all of the associated intellectual-property rights. You’re not allowed to redistribute or sell the material or to reverse-engineer, disassemble or otherwise convert it to any other form that people can use.

Submitting Your Online Material To Us

All remarks, suggestions, ideas, graphics, comments, or other information that you send to LCOLawFlorida.com through our site (other than information we promise to protect under our Privacy Policy becomes and remains our property, even if this agreement is later terminated.

That means that we don’t have to treat any such submission as confidential. You can’t sue us for using ideas you submit. If we use them, or anything like them, we don’t have to pay you or anyone else for them. We will have the exclusive ownership of all present and future rights to submissions of any kind. We can use them for any purpose we deem appropriate to our LCOLawFlorida.com mission, without compensating you or anyone else for them.

You acknowledge that you are responsible for any submission you make. This means that you (and not we) have full responsibility for the message, including its legality, reliability, appropriateness, originality, and copyright.

Limitation Of Liability

LCOLAWFLORIDA.COM WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR INJURY THAT ACCOMPANY OR RESULT FROM YOUR USE OF ANY OF ITS SITE.

THESE INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO) DAMAGES OR INJURY CAUSED BY ANY:

USE OF (OR INABILITY TO USE) THE SITE
USE OF (OR INABILITY TO USE) ANY SITE TO WHICH YOU HYPERLINK FROM OUR SITE
FAILURE OF OUR SITE TO PERFORM IN THE MANNER YOU EXPECTED OR DESIRED
ERROR ON OUR SITE
OMISSION ON OUR SITE
INTERRUPTION OF AVAILABILITY OF OUR SITE
DEFECT ON OUR SITE
DELAY IN OPERATION OR TRANSMISSION OF OUR SITE
COMPUTER VIRUS OR LINE FAILURE

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING:

DAMAGES INTENDED TO COMPENSATE SOMEONE DIRECTLY FOR A LOSS OR INJURY
DAMAGES REASONABLY EXPECTED TO RESULT FROM A LOSS OR INJURY (KNOWN IN LEGAL TERMS AS “CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.”)
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS DAMAGES AND EXPENSES RESULTING DIRECTLY FROM A LOSS OR INJURY (KNOWN IN LEGAL TERMS AS “INCIDENTAL DAMAGES.”)

WE ARE NOT LIABLE EVEN IF WE’VE BEEN NEGLIGENT OR IF OUR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR BOTH.

EXCEPTION: CERTAIN STATE LAWS MAY NOT ALLOW US TO LIMIT OR EXCLUDE LIABILITY FOR THESE “INCIDENTAL” OR “CONSEQUENTIAL” DAMAGES. IF YOU LIVE IN ONE OF THOSE STATES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION OBVIOUSLY WOULD NOT APPLY WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECOVER THESE TYPES OF DAMAGES.

HOWEVER, IN ANY EVENT, OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, INJURIES, AND CLAIMS OF ANY AND EVERY KIND (WHETHER THE DAMAGES ARE CLAIMED UNDER THE TERMS OF A CONTRACT, OR CLAIMED TO BE CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER WRONGFUL CONDUCT, OR THEY’RE CLAIMED UNDER ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY) WILL NOT BE GREATER THAN THE AMOUNT YOU PAID IF ANYTHING TO ACCESS OUR SITE.

Links To Other Sites

We sometimes provide referrals to and links to other World-Wide Websites from our site. Such a link should not be seen as an endorsement, approval or agreement with any information or resources offered at sites you can access through our site. If in doubt, always check the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) address provided in your WWW browser to see if you are still in a LCOLawFlorida.com operated site or have moved to another site. LCOLawFlorida.com is not responsible for the content or practices of third party sites that may be linked to our site. When LCOLawFlorida.com provides links or references to other Websites, no inference or assumption should be made and no representation should be inferred that LCOLawFlorida.com is connected with, operates or controls these Websites. Any approved link must not represent in any way, either explicitly or by implication, that you have received the endorsement, sponsorship or support of any LCOLawFlorida.com site or endorsement, sponsorship or support of LCOLawFlorida.com, including its respective employees, agents or directors.

Termination Of This Agreement

This agreement is effective until terminated by either party. You may terminate this agreement at any time, by destroying all materials obtained from all LCOLawFlorida.com Web site, along with all related documentation and all copies and installations. LCOLawFlorida.com may terminate this agreement at any time and without notice to you, if, in its sole judgment, you breach any term or condition of this agreement. Upon termination, you must destroy all materials. In addition, by providing material on our Web site, we do not in any way promise that the materials will remain available to you. And LCOLawFlorida.com is entitled to terminate all or any part of any of its Website without notice to you.

Jurisdiction & Other Points To Consider

If you use our site from locations outside of the United States, you are responsible for compliance with any applicable local laws.

These Terms of Use shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Florida, as it is applied to agreements entered into and to be performed entirely within such jurisdiction.

To the extent you have in any manner violated or threatened to violate LCOLawFlorida.com and/or its affiliate’s intellectual property rights, LCOLawFlorida.com and/or its affiliates may seek injunctive or other appropriate relief in any state or federal court in the State of Florida, and you consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue in such courts.

Any other disputes will be resolved as follows:

If a dispute arises under this agreement, we agree to first try to resolve it with the help of a mutually agreed-upon mediator in the following location: City of Tampa, Florida. Any costs and fees other than attorney fees associated with the mediation will be shared equally by each of us.

If it proves impossible to arrive at a mutually satisfactory solution through mediation, we agree to submit the dispute to binding arbitration at the following location: Tampa, Florida, under the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitration may be entered in any court with jurisdiction to do so.

LCOLawFlorida.com may modify these Terms of Use, and the agreement they create, at any time, simply by updating this posting and without notice to you. This is the ENTIRE agreement regarding all the matters that have been discussed.

SMS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

By opting in to receive SMS messages, you agree to the following: receive SMS messages from LCOLawFlorida.com to provide updates and important information. Message frequency may vary, and message and data rates may apply. You can opt out anytime by replying STOP. For help or more information, reply HELP.

- Opt-In – Consent is obtained before sending messages. Subscribers will receive a confirmation message upon opting in:

“You have successfully been subscribed to messages from LCOLawFlorida.com from this number. Message frequency may vary. Message and Data Rates may apply. Reply HELP for assistance. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

– Opt-Out – Reply STOP at any time to unsubscribe. You will receive a confirmation message:

“You have now been opted out and will not receive further messages from LCOLawFlorida.com from this number. Reply START to resubscribe.”

– Help – Reply HELP for assistance. You will receive:

“For additional information or assistance, please call LCOLawFlorida.com at (813) 544-3200 or email us using our contact form here To opt-out, reply STOP.”

– Privacy – Your information is used only for the stated purposes. See our full Privacy Policy on our website.

Last updated: 01/14/2026

Contact

For any questions regarding this website’s Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Legal Disclaimers or other posted content, please contact LCO Law LLC.

Overwhelmed By Probate & Paperwork?

Losing someone you love is hard enough without court forms and deadlines. We step in to take that pressure off your shoulders. We open the estate, handle filings, track timelines, and talk with the court. You get clear explanations and a simple plan so you can focus on your family.

Keep Your Family Together & Informed

Probate often brings stress and questions. We explain who is entitled to what, how Florida law works, and what to expect at each step. We guide the personal representative, answer family questions, and work to prevent conflict so the process feels organized, respectful, and predictable.

Protect Your Property & Investment Plans

Homes, rentals, and other investments are often the largest part of an estate. We help protect those assets during probate, address mortgages and creditor claims, and prepare property for sale or transfer. Our goal is to keep value intact and move real estate to the right people with clear title.

ABOUT LCO LAW

Probate & Trust Services In Tampa Bay

At LCO Law, LLC, we help families, business owners, and real estate investors across Tampa Bay navigate probate and trust issues with clarity and practical steps. Our role is to explain Florida procedures in plain language, help you understand your options, and keep your matter moving in the right direction. We also believe you should understand the financial side of the process from day one, which is why we offer flat fee pricing for most of our probate services, so you know what you’ll pay up front.

We serve clients throughout Florida in estate planning, probate, real estate, and business planning, in both English and Spanish.

How We Guide You Through Florida Probate

When a loved one dies owning assets in their name alone, a Florida probate case is often required before property can be transferred or sold. We guide personal representatives and families through that process from start to finish, with a clear roadmap and consistent updates.

We prepare and file the petitions and supporting documents, help you open the estate, and walk you through notices to heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors. We coordinate with financial institutions, gather and organize information about assets and debts, and help the personal representative understand and meet their legal duties and deadlines.

Our focus is on making sure the estate is administered in line with Florida law and the terms of the will. If there is no will, we help you understand how Florida’s intestacy rules apply and what that means for each family member.

Summary & Formal Administration Options

Florida offers more than one probate track, and part of our job is to help you choose the one that fits your situation.

Summary administration can be an option when probate assets are relatively modest or when the person has been deceased long enough that most creditor claims are no longer an issue. When summary administration is available, it usually involves fewer filings and can allow beneficiaries to receive assets more quickly.

Formal administration is the full probate process. It is used when the estate is larger, when the death is more recent, or when assets like real estate must be sold or retitled through the probate case. In a formal administration, the court appoints a personal representative. We work closely with that person to:

Whether the estate is straightforward or involves investment properties or a closely held business, we help you understand how each decision affects the overall plan.

Legacy Planning

Many of our clients use trusts as part of a broader plan to protect their family, simplify transitions, and reduce the likelihood of probate. We help you design a clear, workable plan that reflects your goals, your assets, and the people you want to protect.

Our legacy planning services often include creating and funding revocable living trusts and aligning them with beneficiary designations, deeds, powers of attorney, and health care documents. This coordination helps prevent conflicts, keeps your instructions consistent across accounts and property, and makes it easier for loved ones to carry out your wishes.

Whether you are preparing for the future, updating an older plan, or responding to a life change, we can help you understand your options under Florida law and put the right documents in place.
If you are facing a probate case or want to discuss a legacy plan in Florida, contact us to schedule a time to talk through your situation and what the next steps may look like.

OUR PRACTICE AREAS

We know the emotional toll of losing a loved one and the overwhelming responsibility of handling affairs during such difficult times. That’s why our focus is on guiding clients to safeguard their family’s future through estate planning.

We simplify the process, ensuring peace of mind and security.

Probate

Legacy Planning

Contested Probate

Summary Administration

Healthcare Directives

Formal Administration

Last Will & Testament

Special Needs Trusts

Power Of Attorney

TEAM MEMBERS

MEET OUR TEAM

We simplify the process, ensuring peace of mind and security.

Natalia Ouellette-Grice, Esq.

Senior Attorney & Owner

The sole owner and one of the founding partners of LCO Law LLC. Natalia brings her 15 years of experience in business planning and estate planning and combines it with her MBA, diplomacy training in undergrad, and voracious appetite for learning to provide our clients with exceptional legal, business, and communication advice. Natalia is currently working on her LLM in Taxation from the University of Florida.

Justin Grice

Chief Operating Officer

Our Director of Client Relations and COO. Justin came to LCO from the corporate world ready to bring his experience in quality management and operations to make you have a great experience with our firm. Justin is kind, caring, and charismatic. Justin is here to make your experience with LCO Law pleasant, engaged, and always better.

Alexander Maldonado, Esq.

Associate Attorney

Alex graduated from The Interamerican School of Law in 2019 with his Juris Doctorate. Prior to joining LCO Law, he worked as a paralegal for the US Attorney’s Office. Alex passed the Bar exam and has been admitted to practice law in Florida as of June 2025. When he’s not ensuring the best care and service for your legal needs, he enjoys fishing, writing and spending time with family.

Juliana Olave

Client & Marketing Operations Specialist

Juliana graduated from EAFIT university in 2019 with a major in International business and a minor on marketing. Prior to joining LCO Law, She worked form one of the biggest oil & gas companies in the world and a Marketing and Advertisement company abroad. She is the Client Care Coordinator for LCO Law ensuring the best care and service at the firm. She is passionate about design and just finished her Masters degree on graphic design from the International University of Valencia

ESTATE PLANNING

Florida Probate & Contested Estates:
What You Need To Know

You open a letter from the court and see words you never expected to deal with: “personal representative,” “petition,” “creditor claims,” “objections.” At the same time, family members are asking what happens to the house, the accounts, and the personal items that matter most. If this feels familiar, you are not alone. Every week, families across Florida call us with the same mix of grief, confusion, and pressure to “get it right” after a loved one passes away.

Our job is to step into that chaos, explain the rules in plain English, and protect you throughout the probate process, including when things become contested.

What Probate Is & When It Is Required

Probate is the court process that gathers a person’s assets, pays valid debts, and transfers what is left to heirs or beneficiaries after someone dies. In Florida, probate is usually required when the person owned assets in their name alone, such as a house, bank account, or investment account without a joint owner or beneficiary.

If there is a valid will, the court follows that document to decide who receives what. If there is no will, Florida’s intestacy laws decide how the estate is divided. Either way, the probate judge oversees the process, and a personal representative (similar to an executor) is responsible for managing the estate with guidance from a probate attorney.

How The Florida Probate Process Works

While every estate is different, most Florida probate cases follow the same basic steps:

First, someone files a petition with the court to open the estate and request appointment as personal representative. Once appointed, that person has legal authority to act for the estate.

Next, the personal representative must locate and safeguard assets, provide required notices to heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors, and work with us to prepare an inventory for the court. Creditors then have a limited time to file claims, which the estate can either pay, negotiate, or object to, depending on the situation.

When claims, taxes, and expenses are handled, the remaining assets can be distributed to the right people. The personal representative then requests to close the estate with the court.

In many families, this process runs relatively smoothly. Problems arise when someone questions the will, the way assets are handled, or who is in charge. That is where contested probate comes in.

When Grief Turns Into A Dispute: Contested Probate

A probate case becomes “contested” when one or more people formally challenge some part of the process in court. That might involve an objection to the will, a dispute about who should serve as personal representative, or a fight over how assets are being managed or distributed.

These conflicts often come with a long family history. Old promises, second marriages, strained relationships, or last-minute changes to a will can all lead to suspicion and anger. We understand that, for you, this is not just a legal problem. It is personal.

In contested probate, emotions are high, but deadlines are strict. There are specific time limits to object to a will, challenge a creditor claim, or seek removal of a personal representative. Acting quickly to understand your rights is critical.

Common Reasons Families Contest A Will Or Estate

We see a few patterns come up again and again in Florida contested probate cases. For example, someone may claim that the person who signed the will did not have the mental capacity to understand what they were signing at the time. Others argue that a sibling, caregiver, or new partner pressured or manipulated the person into changing their will, which is called undue influence.

We also see disputes over whether the will was properly signed and witnessed under Florida law. Even small technical mistakes can cause serious problems.

Beyond will contests, families may fight over who should serve as personal representative, especially if they do not trust the person named in the will. Beneficiaries may accuse a personal representative of mishandling estate funds, hiding information, or favoring certain family members.

Our role is to dig into the facts, review the documents, and help you decide whether to bring a challenge, defend against one, or negotiate a resolution that protects your interests.

How We Approach Contested Probate Cases

When you come to us with a potential probate dispute, we start by listening. We want to understand the family dynamics, the timeline of events, and your main concerns. Then we review the will, any prior wills, trust documents, account statements, medical records, and other key information.

From there, we help you evaluate your options. Sometimes, the best approach is a focused objection or petition to the court. In other situations, the smarter move is to negotiate a settlement that avoids a long, costly court battle. We explain the potential risks, costs, and outcomes of each path so you can make informed decisions.

Throughout the case, we handle court filings, discovery, hearings, and negotiations. We also keep you updated in plain language so you never feel left in the dark about what is happening with your loved one’s estate.

How To Protect Yourself Before A Dispute Starts

If you are the personal representative, your best protection is to follow the rules closely from the beginning. That means keeping clear records, communicating with beneficiaries, meeting deadlines, and getting legal guidance before you make big decisions about selling property or paying claims. We support you at every step so you can show the court that you took your duties seriously.

If you are a beneficiary who suspects something is wrong, do not wait and hope it fixes itself. Ask questions early. Request information in writing. Bring your concerns to us as soon as possible so we can review the situation and determine whether formal action is needed. Waiting too long can permanently limit your options.

If you are planning your own estate and want to reduce the risk of future conflict, we can help you put together a clear, well-drafted plan. That may include a will, a trust, careful selection of your personal representative, and open communication with your family about your decisions.

When You Should Call A Florida Probate Attorney

You should reach out for help if:

You were named personal representative and feel overwhelmed by the responsibility.
You believe a will is invalid or was changed under suspicious circumstances.
You think a personal representative is mishandling estate assets or keeping you in the dark.
Your family is already arguing about who should receive what.

Probate and contested probate involve more than paperwork. They involve people, history, and the last wishes of someone who mattered to you. We help you navigate that process with a combination of legal strategy and practical guidance, so you are not carrying the burden alone.

If you are facing a probate or contested probate issue in Florida, we are ready to talk through what is happening and outline your options. A conversation early in the process can save you time, money, and stress later.

WHAT CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US

We are so glad we connected with Natalia early on! She is incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and a true professional. We’ve used her for several matters so far, and every experience has been seamless. Highly recommend her to anyone looking for an attorney who truly cares and goes above and beyond!

Michele Sager

Google - Client Reviewed

If you want a thorough estate plan Natalia and her team are what you need. No detail is overlooked! So many important things to consider and they have already put these together for you. Very easy process and something everyone needs. I highly recommend getting an estate plan from LCO and not leaving your future to chance.

Judy Curry

Google - Client Reviewed

Natalia and her team are exceptional. Natalia is a wealth of knowledge and she is prepared to help her clients, educate them and offer the best alternatives and solutions for their specific situations. Planning for your life, your family and your assets is so important, you shouldn't postpone a minute longer. Natalia and her team have your best interest at hand.

Aurimar Otero

Google - Client Reviewed

I hired LCO Law to assist me with a real estate matter, and I couldn't be happier with their service. The firm was highly knowledgeable, provided timely updates, and communicated clearly every step of the way. Their expertise made the process smooth and stress-free. I would highly recommend LCO Law to anyone needing legal assistance.

David M

Google - Client Reviewed

Excellent service. Best of the best. Natalia helped my wife with navigating her estate, which wasn’t as straightforward as we had thought it would be. Natalie and her team are very knowledgeable and always tried to expedite the process where possible. We felt so grateful for their guidance and support. We highly recommend LCO Law, LLC if you want someone you can trust to do the best for you and achieve it.

Trieu Nguyen

Google - Client Reviewed

Natalia and her team were really great at making the daunting task of creating an Estate Plan and Trust more understandable. She walked with us every step of the way and answered every question no matter how big or small until we were completely comfortable with our decision. Hands Down, Natalia is the smartest Attorney that I know! Thanks again for you and your Team's guidance and help for our family.

Tina Serfozo

Google - Client Reviewed

Talk With Us About Your
Probate Matter

When you schedule a case evaluation with our firm, we take the time to listen first. We want to understand what has happened, who is involved, and what concerns you most right now. That context matters, especially in probate cases where family history and emotions often affect the legal issues.

A Practical Plan Start With
One Conversation

If you are dealing with probate or a potential dispute over an estate, waiting often makes things harder. Deadlines can pass, misunderstandings can grow, and options can narrow before you realize it. A case evaluation gives you a chance to pause, ask questions, and understand where you stand under Florida law. It also gives you a clear starting point on costs. Many probate attorneys work on contingency and may take up to one-third of the estate. We offer flat fee pricing for most of our probate services, so you know what you’ll pay up front, with no hidden costs or surprise add-ons.

During the evaluation, we explain how Florida probate rules apply to your situation and what paths may be available. If a dispute is already brewing or has reached the court, we talk through realistic next steps and what it would take to protect your position. If you are serving as personal representative, we help you understand your responsibilities and risks. When flat fee probate pricing applies, we will outline the fee structure so you can make decisions with a clear budget in mind.

You will leave the conversation with clearer expectations. We focus on timelines, likely challenges, and the practical decisions that come up early in probate and contested probate cases. Our goal is not to rush you, but to give you enough information to decide what makes sense for you and your family, including how to protect what’s being passed on.

If you are ready to get answers and move forward with confidence, we invite you to schedule a case evaluation with our office. A single conversation can bring clarity to a situation that feels overwhelming and help you take the next step with purpose.

Call Or Text Us Today

TERMS OF USE

Restrictions On Use Of Our Online Materials

Submitting Your Online Material To Us

Limitation Of Liability

Links To Other Sites

Termination Of This Agreement

Jurisdiction & Other Points To Consider

SMS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contact

Overwhelmed By Probate & Paperwork?

Keep Your Family Together & Informed

Protect Your Property & Investment Plans

Probate & Trust Services In Tampa Bay

How We Guide You Through Florida Probate

Summary & Formal Administration Options

Legacy Planning

OUR PRACTICE AREAS

Probate

Legacy Planning

Contested Probate

Summary Administration

Healthcare Directives

Formal Administration

Last Will & Testament

Special Needs Trusts

Power Of Attorney

MEET OUR TEAM

Natalia Ouellette-Grice, Esq.

Justin Grice

Alexander Maldonado, Esq.

Juliana Olave

Florida Probate & Contested Estates: What You Need To Know

What Probate Is & When It Is Required

How The Florida Probate Process Works

When Grief Turns Into A Dispute: Contested Probate

Common Reasons Families Contest A Will Or Estate

How We Approach Contested Probate Cases

How To Protect Yourself Before A Dispute Starts

When You Should Call A Florida Probate Attorney

WHAT CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US

Talk With Us About Your Probate Matter

A Practical Plan Start With One Conversation

Talk With Us About Your Probate Matter

LCO Law, LLC

Florida Probate & Contested Estates:
What You Need To Know

Talk With Us About Your
Probate Matter

A Practical Plan Start With
One Conversation