How to Claim All Florida Survivor Benefits Without Missing Deadlines
A complete timeline of Florida survivor benefit deadlines — from the first 72 hours through 2 years — and how to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
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All articles about Florida Survivor Benefits Navigator.
Best Resource for Florida State Employee Widows Making FRS Pension Decisions
The FRS pension election is irrevocable and affects your income for life. Here's how to evaluate your options and avoid choosing the wrong survivor payout.
Alternatives to Researching Florida Survivor Benefits Agency by Agency
Tired of calling SSA, FRS, the property appraiser, and six other agencies to piece together survivor benefits? Here are faster approaches that cover everything in one place.
What to Do When a Spouse Dies in Florida: A Step-by-Step Timeline
When a spouse dies in Florida, dozens of deadlines activate at once. Here's the exact sequence — days 1 through 90 — so nothing critical slips through.
Florida Benefits for Children After a Parent Dies: What You Can Claim
Florida children may qualify for SSA survivor benefits, workers' comp, veteran scholarships, and homestead protections after a parent's death.
Florida Survivor Benefits Guide vs. Hiring an Estate Attorney
When you need an attorney for Florida survivor benefits and when a guide saves you $300/hour — a direct comparison of cost, coverage, and what each actually does.
Best Florida Survivor Benefits Resource for Out-of-State Family Members
How to help a surviving parent in Florida claim every benefit they're owed when you live in another state — resources, strategies, and what you can do remotely.
Florida Surviving Spouse Bank Account Frozen After Death
Bank froze the account after your spouse died? Here's what Florida law says about frozen accounts, POD accounts, and TOD transfers.
Florida Health Insurance After a Spouse Dies: COBRA, Mini-COBRA, and the 60-Day Window
Death of a spouse triggers a strict 60-day COBRA deadline in Florida. Miss it and coverage is gone permanently. Here's what to do and what it costs.
Florida Life Insurance Claim After Death: The 90-Day Rule and What to Submit
Florida law requires insurers to pay valid claims within 90 days or owe interest. Know the right death certificate, the divorce rule, and how to locate lost policies.
Florida Estate Planning After Your Spouse Dies
After settling your spouse's estate, your own planning becomes urgent. Here's what Florida surviving spouses must do to protect themselves.
Palm Beach County Probate Court: Filing Fees, Forms, and Local Requirements
Palm Beach County probate is handled by the 15th Circuit. Here are the exact fees, safe deposit box rules, and filing requirements before you start.
Florida Workers' Compensation Death Benefits: Payouts, Caps, and How to Claim
Florida workers' comp death benefits pay surviving spouses 50% of the weekly wage, capped at $150,000 total. Here's the exact formula, deadlines, and what to do first.
Florida Will Deposit 10 Days: What the Custodian Must Do After a Death
Florida law requires the will custodian to deposit the original with the Circuit Court clerk within 10 days of learning of the death. Here's how.
Florida Widow Property Tax Exemption: The March 1 Deadline Most Families Miss
Florida's $5,000 widow/widower exemption and 100% first responder exemption both have a hard March 1 deadline. Here's how to claim them before you lose out.
Florida Survivor Benefits for Seniors: What Widows and Widowers Must Claim
A practical guide to Florida survivor benefits for seniors — property tax exemptions, FRS pensions, Medicaid protections, and what not to miss.
Florida Probate Mistakes to Avoid in 2026
These are the most expensive Florida probate and survivor benefits mistakes — outdated thresholds, missed deadlines, and personal liability traps.
Florida Documentary Stamp Tax and Probate: The Exemption Surviving Spouses Must Know
Florida's doc stamp tax can cost surviving spouses thousands on an inherited home. A probate exemption under F.S. §201.02 eliminates it — if done correctly.
Florida Patient Directed Medical Order (PDMO) 2026 Explained
Florida's new PDMO replaces the old DNRO. Here's what the 2026 SB 312 changes mean for end-of-life directives and surviving families.
Is a Florida Attorney Required for Probate? The Real Answer
Florida Probate Rule 5.030 requires an attorney for most formal administrations. Learn when it's mandatory, when it's not, and what it costs.
Pinellas County Probate Court Florida: The JA Assistant Portal and Local Rules
Pinellas County probate requires proposed orders via the JA Assistant portal in Word format. Here's what the 6th Circuit's checklist-first rules mean for your filing.
Miami-Dade Probate Court: What You Need to Know Before Filing
Miami-Dade probate operates under the 11th Circuit with localized Smart Forms, high case volume, and specific will deposit rules. Here's the practical guide.
Florida Veterans Survivor Benefits: State and Federal Benefits Most Families Miss
Florida surviving spouses of veterans qualify for state benefits beyond federal VA — including 100% property tax exemption and tuition waivers.
Florida Probate Exempt Property: What's Excluded From the $150,000 Threshold
Florida's 2026 summary administration threshold is $150,000 — but exempt property doesn't count. Here's exactly what's excluded and how to calculate your estate's eligibility.
Florida Medicaid Estate Recovery: How Surviving Spouses Protect the Home
Florida Medicaid estate recovery cannot touch the house while a surviving spouse is alive. Here's exactly how the deferral works and what protects your home.
Florida Lady Bird Deed: How It Works and Why Surviving Spouses Need to Know
A Florida Lady Bird deed lets you transfer property outside probate automatically. Here's how it works, its limits, and when a surviving spouse needs one.
Florida Family Allowance in Probate: How to Get Up to $18,000 While the Estate Is Frozen
Florida's family allowance lets surviving spouses claim up to $18,000 during probate under F.S. §732.403. Here's how to petition and what it covers.
Florida Crime Victim Compensation: Funeral Benefits and How to File
Florida's Bureau of Victim Compensation pays up to $7,500 for funeral costs after a violent crime death. Deadlines are strict — here's exactly how to file.
Duval County Probate Court Florida: Jacksonville Rules and Filing Requirements
Duval County probate in Jacksonville has specific room deposits, judge routing rules, and Zoom hearings. Here's what you need before filing in the 4th Circuit.
Broward County Probate Court Florida: Filing Requirements and Local Rules
Broward County probate court has strict local rules — mandatory checklists, criminal history affidavits, Smart Forms. Here's what you need before filing.
Florida Statute 222.15: How Surviving Spouses Collect Unpaid Wages Without Probate
Florida Statute 222.15 lets surviving spouses collect a deceased state employee's final wages, unused leave, and vacation pay directly — no probate, no court order required.
Florida Mini-COBRA: Health Insurance After a Spouse Dies (Small Employer Rules)
Florida Mini-COBRA gives surviving spouses up to 18 months of health coverage after a death at small employers. The election window is 63 days — here's how it works.
FRS Survivor Options: What Happens to a Florida State Pension After Death
How FRS survivor benefits work — pension vs. investment plan, annuitant options, and the irrevocable choices your family must make fast.
Florida CSDDV Scholarship: Tuition Benefits for Dependents of Deceased Veterans
Florida's CSDDV scholarship covers 110% of tuition and fees at Florida public colleges for spouses and children of deceased or disabled veterans. Here's how to apply.