September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
If your loved one has passed away and was receiving benefits from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, the law may require you to open a Probate estate in order to collect the money. Our office has experience assisting those who need an Estate opened in Florida in order to collect fund benefits, life insurance benefits, or other assets held by the person when they passed away.
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund also known as "VCF" provides compensation for those who were injured or passed away due to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, or from the debris removal efforts that took place after the attacks. This fund also provides compensation to personal representatives of deceased individuals that were already receiving benefits. The fund is currently allowing claims to be submitted for such funds up until December 18, 2020.
If your loved one was receiving these benefits, and passed away, our firm can help you with the probate process, to ensure that the estate of the individual still continues to receive compensation from this fund.
If you feel as though you have been personally affected by the terrorist attacks, and are suffering physical injuries such as interstitial lung diseases, chronic respiratory disorder, asthma, and other types of physical harm, you may be entitled to receive compensation. For a complete list of conditions and eligibility please visit, https://www.vcf.gov/pdf/VCFPolicy.pdf.
Call our offices, at (954) 515-5000, for further information on the September 11, 2001 Compensation Fund, so that you can rightfully claim compensation from injuries suffered from the horrific attacks.
The Probate Process
When you open an estate, one of the first things to find out is whether the person who died had a will. If they did, try to locate the original, as the Court may need this. If the person did not have a will, which is also OK as the law generally provides who gets what, and in what order of priority.
If the person who died selected a personal representative in their will, that person is typically given priority, unless they are disqualified or already passed away. The will may provide for a successor personal representative, or the law may step in to provide the order of preference if there is no successor available.
Once an estate is opened, the personal representative has the authority to collect all assets for the Estate. Once the assets are collected, the law provides an order of how proceeds are distributed, and who can make claims to the money. Once the creditors and those with priority are paid, the balance gets distributed to the rightful heirs under the will, or the law.
There are several nuances in Florida probate law, and it is important to speak with a Florida probate lawyer to see how the assets of your loved one may be distributed. Call us for a free consultation at (954) 515-5000.
