Probate Administration
When someone dies without a plan that avoids it, the estate goes through probate. We handle uncontested Florida administrations from the petition through distribution, so the family is not navigating the court alone.
Uncontested Florida probate, start to finish.
- Formal administration. The standard Florida probate proceeding, including appointment of the personal representative and administration through distribution.
- Summary administration. Florida's shortened process where the estate qualifies for it.
- Ancillary administration. For out of state decedents who owned Florida property.
- Determination of homestead. Florida homestead has its own rules and its own protections, and getting this wrong is expensive.
- Creditor claims and notice. Handling the notice requirements and the claims period correctly so the estate closes cleanly.
What to expect
Probate is procedural and unforgiving about deadlines, but it is not mysterious. Most of what makes families anxious is not knowing the order of operations or how long each step takes. We tell you that at the start, in writing, along with the investment you can expect.
We handle uncontested matters. If a will is being challenged or the beneficiaries are in active conflict, that is contested litigation and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right firm for it.
If the decedent had a trust rather than a will, the work is usually trust administration instead. If you are reading this because you do not want your own family here, that is estate planning.
Common questions
How long does probate take in Florida?
Formal administration commonly runs several months to a year or more, depending on the assets, whether a creditor period must run, and how quickly the court and the parties move. Summary administration, where it is available, is substantially faster.
What is summary administration?
It is Florida's abbreviated probate process, available in limited circumstances based on the value of the estate or how long ago the death occurred. Where it applies it avoids the appointment of a personal representative and moves considerably faster than formal administration.
Do I need a lawyer for Florida probate?
In formal administration the personal representative is generally required to be represented by an attorney, with a narrow exception where the personal representative is the sole interested person. Summary administration also typically involves counsel.
Can probate be avoided?
Not after the fact. Probate is the consequence of assets passing without a non-probate transfer in place. It is avoided in advance through a funded revocable trust or similar planning, which is why we push clients toward trust-based estate planning.
In our clients’ words.
★★★★★
“I’ve referred her to real estate clients dealing with probate as well as friends who needed estate planning, and everyone has had a great experience. She truly cares about her clients.”
We will tell you what this involves before you hire anyone.
Bring us what you have. We will tell you which kind of administration applies and what the process looks like.