How can I ensure my child is protected should something happen to me?

The only way is to a termination of parental rights which is difficult to obtain unless you are doing a step-parent adoption. Your other choice is...

Testate estate personal representative

The majority must still select someone who is qualified to serve.

THere are lots of ways, but nothing generic that could be posted to work in all cases. You should talk with an asset protection lawyer about your...

You might be, but anything you were entitled to from him, you would have been entitled to upon his death and if left to your stepmother, you have...

Reopen Probate?

After reopening the probate, the issues can be dealt with appropriately

Do I need to file a small estate affidavit in Florida to collect on an investment account worth about $16,000.00?

Yes it will be necessary to file a summary administration to have the assets distributed to the errors.

My my father just died and I need to know if I have any rights to his estate?

Depends on how the assets were owned and if your father had a will or trust to direct who receives the assets. If they were owned by him...

Can a daughter be added to a Deed that's in the name of a revocable trust ?

There are several solutions, but these would need to be checked into by your parent so as not to do something that might be interpreted by DCF as...

While joint ownership can Trump a will there can be a presumption that it was done for convince. Talk to a probate litigation attorney who has...

Should probate be filed in each state where there is property owned?

Yes, unless the property had a POD designation, was part of a trust, or had less net value than the cost of a probate - IE a timeshare.