Florida Summary Probate System
The state of Florida offers a probate shortcut for small estates that makes it easier for heirs to transfer assets or property left to them by someone who has died.
To use Florida’s simplified probate process for small estates, an executor – the person designated in a will to handle a decedent’s property -- must file a written request with the local probate court requesting to use the simplified system. If granted, the executor will then be able to distribute the assets without having to go through the regular probate process.
There are two ways a Florida resident can use the simplified probate process:
1. If there is no real estate, and no creditor claim on any assets except any amount due to satisfy funeral or medical expenses (limited to the last two months).
2. If the value of the entire estate, after satisfying any creditor claims, is equal to or less than $75,000, OR if the decedent has been dead for more than two years.
To learn more about Summary Probate, contact our estate planning attorney at Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. located in Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
