In FL, estates worth $75,000 or more, where the decedent died within the last two years, must go through formal probate proceedings, but there's a lot that goes into this calculation. At Vollrath Law, we've guided countless grieving clients through this territory, equipping them to make informed choices amid grief.
There are two main types of probate in Florida: a formal probate administration and a summary probate administration. There is also a disposition without administration that is available in very limited circumstances. The formal probate administration usually takes 6-9 months under most circumstances - start to finish.
ALTHOUGH YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY FOR CERTAIN PROBATE PROCEEDINGS, ONLY AN ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU CHOOSE TO PROCEED WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY, AT ANY TIME IN YOUR CASE YOU MAY OPT TO HIRE ONE.
What Are The Steps Involved in Probate in Florida? Identifying Probate Assets. Filing Through the Probate Court. Notifying the Decedent's Creditors. Inventorying the Decedent's Estate. Paying Any Valid Debts. Filing and Paying Estate Taxes. Distributing Remaining Assets. Closing the Estate.
If the filer is an attorney the documents should be filed electronically filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Pro-Se filers may file court documents in the Probate division.
In Florida, probate must usually be initiated a short time after death. The will, if there is one, must be filed with the court within 10 days of the death. Even though there is no legal penalty for missing this window, it's very important to file promptly to avoid unnecessary delays in the probate process.
Recorder Offices County Clerk/Comptroller: Recording Dept - Main Courthouse. 205 North Dixie Hwy, Rm 4.25 / PO Box 4177, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 / 33402-4177. North County Courthouse. 3188 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410. South County Courthouse. West County Courthouse. Midwestern Community Service Center.
In some cases, beneficiaries may prefer an executor with no bond because they have less to lose if he or she improperly handles assets. An executor of a deceased person's estate without bond is a person who has the authority to fulfill the obligations of a deceased's will.
Due to their individual requirements and processes, the length of time it takes to acquire a probate bond varies from company to company. However, many surety companies can bond a person within 24 hours or as quickly as within the same business day.
They stay in effect until the estate is fully settled and the executor has done their job. The duration of a probate bond can change a lot. It depends on how complex the estate is and if there are legal issues. Sometimes, the bond lasts a few months, and sometimes it can be years.