Probate attorneys serving all of Florida
Florida Probate Lawyers
When someone you love passes, settling their estate shouldn't add to the weight you're already carrying. We guide personal representatives and families through Florida probate with patience, clear answers, and careful attention to every detail.
Probate often begins at one of life's hardest moments
Losing someone close to you is difficult enough without court filings, creditor notices, and property decisions landing on your shoulders. If you've been named personal representative, or your family is trying to understand what happens next, the probate process can quickly feel overwhelming.
Our role is to make that process understandable and manageable. We explain what the estate requires, help you meet your responsibilities and deadlines, and keep the administration moving forward while honoring your loved one's wishes.
Probate is more than paperwork. It's a process of trust, and we treat it with the care and consideration your family deserves.
How Florida probate unfolds
Every estate is different, but most probate administrations move through the same core stages, from the first review of the estate to its final closing.
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Review the estate
Identify the assets, how they're titled, and whether probate is needed.
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Open the estate
File with the court so a personal representative can be appointed.
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Give notice
Notify beneficiaries, heirs, and creditors as the law requires.
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Protect assets
Gather, value, and safeguard the property of the estate.
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Settle obligations
Address valid claims, estate expenses, and tax matters.
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Distribute and close
Transfer property to beneficiaries and close the estate.
Two paths through Florida probate
Not every estate follows the same procedure. Part of our early work is determining which form of administration fits the estate under current Florida law.
The traditional process
Formal administration
The court appoints a personal representative, who administers the estate through required notices, creditor claims, and final distribution. A relatively straightforward formal administration often takes approximately nine to twelve months, and some estates require more time.
The streamlined alternative
Summary administration
A more streamlined process for estates that meet Florida's requirements. Florida increased the asset-value threshold for summary administration in 2026, so it's especially important to confirm which process applies under current law.
Some property never enters probate at all. Accounts with named beneficiaries, certain jointly owned property, and assets held in a trust can often transfer outside the court process. Learn which assets may avoid probate.
How we care for you and your family
Probate asks a great deal of families during a vulnerable time. These principles shape how we work with every client, from the first conversation to the final distribution.
Humble
We lead with respect, stay grounded, and put your family's needs ahead of our own.
Reliable and responsive
We follow through on our commitments and answer your questions promptly and with care.
Disciplined and driven
We stay focused on deadlines and details so the administration keeps moving forward.
Collaborative
We work alongside you, your family, and your other advisors to reach the best result for the estate.
Community-driven
We build meaningful, lasting relationships and take pride in serving the communities our clients call home.
Committed to improvement
We keep refining how we serve clients and stay current as Florida law changes.
Begin the administration without upfront legal fees
For select clients, we offer probate services that allow the administration to begin without upfront legal fees. Attorney fees and certain court costs may instead be paid from the estate as it is administered. We'll explain whether this arrangement is available based on the circumstances of the estate.
Common probate questions
Does a will keep an estate out of probate?
Not necessarily. A will provides instructions for property that passes through the estate, but assets owned solely by the decedent may still require probate unless they transfer through a beneficiary designation, survivorship rights, a trust, or another method.
What happens if my loved one died without a will?
Probate may still be required. Instead of following a will, Florida's intestate succession laws determine who inherits probate property based on the decedent's surviving family relationships.
How long does probate take in Florida?
It depends on the type of administration and the circumstances of the estate. A relatively straightforward formal administration often takes approximately nine to twelve months, while summary administration can offer a more streamlined path for estates that qualify.
Who pays the costs of probate?
Many properly incurred probate expenses, including attorney fees and court costs, can be paid from estate assets rather than from the personal representative's own funds.
You don't have to settle the estate alone
Talk with a Florida probate attorney about the estate, your responsibilities, and the steps ahead.