For decades the federal government has protected you against abusive debt collection – that may be about to change.  If legislation before Congress passes, robocallers may have license to make your life a living hell by calling your friends, family or anyone who may have listed as a reference on any federal debt.

Soon automated calls from debt collectors may legally be made to your mobile phone.  That is random, automated, calling of your personal number is fair game for anyone collecting a debt guaranteed by the federal government.  Have a student loan?  Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Loan?  Tax debt? 

In a sweeping change to federal debt collection law, Section 301 of the budget bill removes the current requirement for a caller to have the consent of the called party before making autodialed or prerecorded calls or texts for the collection of debts owed or guaranteed by the federal government. It also removes the ability of the called party to stop these unwanted robocalls to their cellphones.

In Florida, there are three ways to settle a probate estate and time is of the essence. Florida law requires that anyone who has possession of a will must file it with the local circuit court within ten days of learning of the death of the person who is the subject of the will, formally known as the decedent. If a probate court proceeding is necessary, the court will determine whether or not the will is valid.

Assets Not Subject to Probate

Certain assets of the decedent may be devised to the stated beneficiary without approval of the probate court. The most common types of such property include: Property held in joint tenancy by more than one person, such as real property owned jointly or a joint bank account; assets for which the decedent selected a beneficiary, such as a life insurance policy; or, assets held in a living trust. There are two types of probate administration for those assets that are subject to probate.