Florida probate laws: What you need to know (and how to avoid them)

Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate, including distributing assets and paying off debts. In Florida, probate can be lengthy, expensive, and often overwhelming for grieving families. Understanding how the process works—and more importantly, how to avoid it—can help protect your loved ones from unnecessary delays and expenses. Florida has specific probate laws that govern how estates are handled after death. Whether you are planning your estate or facing the probate process after a loss, it’s important to know what to expect and what options you have. Understanding Florida probate laws Florida law requires that certain assets go through probate if they were solely owned by the deceased and do not have a designated beneficiary. Probate proceedings can be either formal administration or summary administration, depending on the size and complexity of the estate. Key points to understand include: Formal administration is the traditional court-supervi...