Probate Attorney in Broward County, FL

Probate in Florida typically takes 6 to 12 months for straightforward estates. More complex cases involving multiple properties, business interests, creditor disputes, or contested wills can take one to two years or longer. Summary administration, available for smaller estates valued under $75,000 or when the decedent passed more than two years ago, can be completed in a matter of weeks. We help keep the process moving efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.

No. Many assets pass outside of probate depending on how they are titled or designated. Assets held in a revocable living trust, jointly owned property with rights of survivorship, life insurance policies with named beneficiaries, and retirement accounts with designated beneficiaries all transfer directly without court involvement. Properly structuring asset ownership is one of the most effective ways to reduce the scope and cost of probate.

In many cases, yes. The most common strategy is creating a revocable living trust and transferring your assets into it during your lifetime. Other approaches include using beneficiary designations, payable-on-death accounts, and lady bird deeds for real property. Proper estate planning before the need arises is the most reliable way to keep your estate out of probate court and reduce costs for your family.

A personal representative, sometimes called an executor, is appointed by the court to manage the probate process. Their responsibilities include filing the will, inventorying and valuing estate assets, notifying creditors, paying valid debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries. This role carries legal obligations and potential liability, which is why many personal representatives work with a probate attorney to ensure everything is handled correctly.