You can file the original will in person at any of our courthouse locations or by mail, to the attention of our probate division at P.O. Box 4667, West Palm Beach, FL 33402. You must include a certified copy of the death certificate, or other document that will confirm the date of death, when filing the will.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Probate in Florida Formal administration typically takes 12 to 15 months to complete. Summary administration can take less than a month. However, the probate process can take longer if disputes or other difficulties arise.
It takes a minimum of six months, but it generally takes 18 months, and, as in any state, complex and litigated estates can add a year or more to the timeline. In almost all cases, Florida law requires that a licensed attorney administer the estate. With summary administration, probate usually takes one to two months.
While it is possible to settle an estate without an attorney, whenever an estate is disputed or complex, you should consult an estate planning and probate litigation attorney. At The Levy Firm PLLC we have over 10 years of experience in South Florida.
Due to this requirement, formal probates at a minimum will remain open for approximately 4 months, but on average most probates will stay open anywhere from 7-9 months. Probate assets should never be distributed before the creditor period has expired and all creditor claims have been dealt with appropriately.
A: The 10-day rule for probate in Florida is in reference to the will being filed in the court. The will of a deceased person must be filed with the probate court within 10 days of their death. The rule applies to both formal and summary administration proceedings. To avoid delays, the executor should file promptly.
The formal probate administration usually takes 6-9 months under most circumstances - start to finish. This process includes appointing a personal representative (i.e., the "executor"), a 90 days creditor's period that must run, payment of creditor's claims and more.
A revocable trust avoids probate by effecting the transfer of assets during your lifetime to the trustee. This avoids the need to use the probate process to make the transfer after your death. The trustee has immediate authority to manage the trust assets at your death; appointment by the court is not necessary.
By waiting ten months, the executor has the chance to see whether anyone is going to raise an objection. There are six months from the date of the Grant of Probate in which to commence a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Then a further four months in which to serve the claim.