Practice Area
Estate Planning & Probate
Wills, trusts, and active estate administration in Palm Beach and Broward counties. Answer a few questions below and we’ll look for a participating attorney suited to your matter.
Probate in Florida
A threshold that just changed
Florida offers a simplified “summary administration” process for estates at or below a statutory dollar threshold, or where the decedent has been dead more than two years. That threshold recently increased — from $75,000 to $150,000, effective for people who pass away on or after July 1, 2026 — so figures you may have seen elsewhere could be out of date. Protected homestead property generally doesn’t count toward the threshold either way. Estates that don’t qualify go through the more involved “formal administration” process.
Separately, Florida generally requires a personal representative (executor) to be a Florida resident, unless they’re closely related to the decedent — this can matter if a will names an out-of-state friend rather than a relative.
Thresholds and procedures vary by estate and can change — confirm your specific situation with an attorney. This summary is based on Fla. Stat. §§ 735.201, 733.304, and Chapter 733.
What To Expect
What shapes an estate planning or probate matter
None of this is legal advice — every estate turns on its own facts.
- 01
Estate size determines the process
Florida offers a simplified "summary administration" for smaller estates (a threshold that recently changed — more below), and a full "formal administration" for everything else.
- 02
Homestead often isn't counted the way people assume
Florida's protected homestead exemption, along with a set amount of household furnishings and up to two vehicles, generally doesn't count toward the estate-value threshold — meaning some estates that look large on paper still qualify for the simpler process.
- 03
Who can serve as personal representative is limited
Florida generally requires a personal representative (executor) to be a Florida resident, unless they're a close relative of the decedent — a spouse, sibling, parent, child, or similar.
- 04
Disputes among heirs change the shape of the matter
A straightforward administration and a contested one involving disagreement among heirs or beneficiaries are very different engagements — this affects what an attorney will want to know upfront.
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Tell us about your matter
This isn’t a request for legal advice, and it doesn’t obligate you to anything. We use your answers to look for a suitable participating attorney.
FAQ
Estate planning & probate referral questions
Is this service a law firm?+
No. EzuLaw is a lawyer referral service. We connect you with participating, independently practicing Florida attorneys — we don't represent you, and we don't provide legal advice.
Do I need probate if there's a will?+
Often yes — having a will doesn't avoid probate by itself, though certain assets (like those in a properly funded trust, or with a named beneficiary) may pass outside probate. An attorney can review your specific situation.
What's the difference between summary and formal administration?+
Summary administration is a simplified process available for smaller, qualifying estates or when the decedent has been dead more than two years. Everything else generally goes through formal administration, which is more involved. The dollar threshold for summary administration changed recently, so don't rely on an old number you've seen elsewhere — ask an attorney what applies now.
Will you tell me where the attorney is located before I talk to them?+
Yes. If we identify a participating attorney for your matter, we disclose that attorney's name, firm, and location (city/county) to you as part of the referral, before any next step.
Does consultation with a listed attorney create representation?+
No. An attorney-client relationship is only created if and when that specific attorney agrees to take your case. Read our full referral service disclosures for details.