Who Has Priority to Serve as a Personal Representative in Florida in 2025?
When someone passes away in Florida without a Last Will and Testament, the process of settling their estate falls under Florida’s intestate succession laws. A key question in this situation is: Who has the right to be appointed as the personal representative (PR)? The personal representative (commonly called an “executor” in other states) is responsible […]
How Long Does Probate Take in Florida? (2025 Updated Guide)
Understanding Florida Probate Timelines One of the most common questions clients ask during a probate consultation is: “How long will probate take in Florida?” As of 2025, the timeline for Florida probate generally follows these expectations: Summary Administration: Typically takes 3-8 weeks from the filing date to receive orders distributing assets. However, be wary of […]
Uncontested Probate in Florida: A Practical Approach
As an experienced probate attorney in Florida, I’ve handled countless estates over the years. One thing I’ve consistently observed is that uncontested probate typically offers significant advantages for families navigating the loss of a loved one. The Reality of Probate Costs in Florida Let me be straightforward: the more heirs disagree during probate, the higher […]
Florida Will Probate Guide: How to Prove a Will in Florida Courts
When dealing with a loved one’s estate in Florida, understanding how to properly “prove” their Will is essential for a smooth probate process. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know about self-proved Wills versus those requiring additional steps, helping you navigate Florida’s probate court system with confidence. What Does “Proving” a Will […]
Got Letters of Administration! What now?
This is a followup to my previous post on starting Probate in Florida, specifically Formal Administration. The initial push in probate is dedicated to convincing the judge to appoint you as the personal representative (PR) and then issuing Letters of Administration. Now that you’ve got your credentials, it’s time to get to work.[clear] Here are […]
How to Start Probate in Florida
Florida Probate administration can be relatively hassle-free with the right guidance and representation. It’s easy enough to say “hire an attorney” and frankly, it’s almost always your only choice. But, there’s no reason you should be in the dark about the process.[clear] During consultations, [highlight]I want to educate people[/highlight] about the process, time frames, costs […]
Do I have to Probate the Homestead Property?
We have been answering this question repeatedly over the last couple of months. If a homestead property is not a probate asset, why does it have to go through probate? Great question. If mom’s house was truly her homestead over the last few decades, you wouldn’t be wrong to assume that it was considered her […]
I AM the Personal Representative…or am I?
You’ve got the original Last Will and Testament and it declares you as the Personal Representative (or Executor, Administrator). You were the “chosen one”, right? It says that so it must be so! Right? Wrong. When a person drafts a Will, they are nominating someone to act as Personal Representative (PR), Executor or Administrator of […]
Summary or Formal Administration? A simpler analogy.
Florida probate administration has two (2) primary types: Summary Administration or Formal Administration Summary Administration is like a closet: Open closet door Reach in to grab what you need Close closet door [clear] Formal Administration is like a hallway: Open hallway door Walk down the hallway Take care of tasks along the way Exit door […]
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