[florida] Dad Willed Everything To His Buddy.

Location: Florida

For context I'm just a friend of the person that this is happening to and trying to help as much as I can. I think she's screwed.

People involved with fake names:

My friend: Liz
Her dad: Joe
Her dad's buddy: Bill

My friend's dad passed away from cancer about a month ago. Joe is divorced but it's been over 20 years since. Liz is the only surviving child but lives in NC. The custodian of the will is some guy that the dad worked with and has no relation otherwise.

In face time conversation recordings from the past few months her dad said quote "I already instructed Bill how much you [Liz] will get on a cash [sic] plus all the life insurance is yours [Liz] plus the car. If you want to keep the house it's up to you [Liz]. But the rest will be managed by Bill. Will be divided among other people that I [Joe] wrote down, that need a little help. But one of my bank account you gotta share I [Joe] put you [Liz] and Bill as beneficiary. [sic] Both. So two beneficiaries so you might just work together to work on the money to help split it because the only way you can cash that money is both of you at present [sic] you know? So you will be all together helping Bill and helping you [Liz] to manage all of that but basically I already gave all instruction to Bill. I just want you [Liz] to know what you what will come [sic] to you because I know I'm getting weaker and weaker." He goes on about things unrelated to inheritance after this part.

I am told other conversations went similarly so to me it was clear at least that his most recent intent was that Liz gets something at the very least.

So after having gone down there this week to spread ashes, deal with inheritance, and cleaning out the house Bill started getting really unpleasant and telling her there isn't a will or that there is but she's not on it and so on. Bill also demanded money to help pay for the mortgage and utilities on the house as well as some of the $2,500 he spent on a lawyer to start probate on the will that may or may not have existed as far as Liz knew. Bill also told Liz that she was not going to be part of the ash spreading, wasn't welcome on his property or at Joe's house, and couldn't get any family mementos.

Liz checked with the county court and there was no record of the will being deposited. To my understanding it's supposed to be deposited within 10 days after passing however it has been over a month at this point.

After having to force the custodian of the will to provide a copy via a lawyer Liz found that everything had been willed to the custodian. The will was signed back in Dec '25 and looks to me to be signed correctly per Florida rules.

Even though this is a maddening situation I don't think Liz is going to be able to challenge this even with the videos or that it'll be so expensive that there will be nothing left and Liz already struggles to stay afloat. While Joe seems to have been an asshole I don't think there is a way to dispute this based on mental competency as he seemed to be coherent albeit weak up until the end.

Anyhow does Liz have any recourse or is she just out of luck?