Florida Probate Explained: How Long Does It Take and What Does It Cost?

If someone you love has passed away in Florida, you may be wondering what happens next with their estate. In most cases, the answer involves probate — the court-supervised legal process of validating a will, paying debts, and distributing assets to heirs. At Bechert & Associates, P.A., we guide Broward County families through every step.

What Is Florida Probate?

Probate is a legal process administered through the Florida circuit court system. When a person dies, their assets don't automatically transfer to their heirs — most must pass through probate first, unless special planning tools were used to avoid it (like living trusts or beneficiary designations).

Florida Probate Timeline: What to Expect

Summary administration (for smaller estates under $75,000 or where the decedent has been dead more than 2 years) typically takes 1 to 3 months. Formal administration — the standard probate process — typically takes 6 to 12 months for straightforward estates. Contested probate cases involving disputes over the will, creditor claims, or beneficiary conflicts can take 2 to 3 years or longer.

How Much Does Florida Probate Cost?

Florida law sets a statutory fee schedule for probate attorneys based on the gross estate value. For a $300,000 estate, attorney fees alone can reach $9,000. Court filing fees, personal representative compensation, appraisal fees, and publication costs add further expenses. A well-structured estate plan created in advance can eliminate or drastically reduce these costs.

Can You Avoid Probate in Florida?

Yes — with proper planning. Revocable living trusts, joint ownership with rights of survivorship, payable-on-death accounts, and beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement accounts all pass outside of probate. This is why working with a Florida estate planning attorney before death is far more cost-effective than navigating probate after.

Bechert & Associates: Pompano Beach Probate Attorneys

Whether you need to open probate for a loved one's estate or want to plan ahead to protect your family, Bechert & Associates, P.A. is ready to help. Our Pompano Beach office serves clients throughout Broward County, Palm Beach County, and South Florida. Call us today for a consultation.