Yes, in almost all cases you will need a Florida Probate Lawyer. Except for “disposition without administration” (very small estates) and those estates in which the executor (personal representative) is the sole beneficiary, Florida law requires the assistance of an attorney.
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.
What Assets Avoid Probate in Florida? Revocable Trusts. Designated Beneficiaries. Transfer on Death Accounts. Joint Retirement Accounts. Tenancy By Entireties. Florida Homestead. Furniture and Appliances. Vehicles.
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.
Estate size plays a major role in determining which kind of court administration is required after someone passes away. 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.
If property, bank accounts, insurance policies, annuities, 401K plans, and all assets have beneficiaries or joint owners, probate is unnecessary. However, without a will or trust all assets must pass through probate court if no beneficiary or joint owner is named.
In Florida, assets that are held in a living trust pass to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings. These trusts must be created before your death, and all assets—including real estate, antiques, vehicles, and so on — must be transferred into the trust under the terms of the trust document.
Formal administration is required for any estate with non-exempt assets valued at over $75,000 when a decedent died less than two years ago. Formal administration is also required any time that a personal representative is needed to settle the affairs of the decedent.