Florida Probate & Estate Administration Fees | Summary, Formal & Trust Administration
Estate administration is the essential legal process of settling a loved one's affairs. We provide strategic guidance to ensure that assets are distributed with precision, integrity, and complete transparency.
Summary Administration
Summary Administration is an expedited probate process in Florida, designed for smaller estates or those where significant time has passed since the individual's death. This client-friendly approach streamlines the transfer of assets, reducing both time and legal complexity while ensuring all statutory requirements are met with precision and transparency.
When this process is used:
- Estate assets are valued at $75,000 or less (excluding exempt property)
- if the decedent has been deceased for more than two years
- No significant creditors or complex debt disputes exist
- Direct and efficient asset distribution is the primary goal
Typical Pricing Range: $2,500 – $4,500*
*Excludes court filing fees and costs. Fees are subject to a personalized quote and do not constitute legal advice.
Formal (Full) Administration
Formal Administration provides the structured legal framework necessary to resolve complex affairs and distribute assets with court-supervised finality. Our firm guides personal representatives through every statutory requirement, from notifying creditors to final distribution.
When this process is used:
- Required for estates valued over $75,000
- Applies if the decedent passed away less than two years ago
- Involves the formal appointment of a Personal Representative
- Extensive court supervision ensures all creditor claims are resolved
- Ideal for complex asset structures or anticipated litigation
Typical Investment Range: $3,500 – $8,500*
*Fees are subject to a personalized quote based on case complexity and are not legal advice.
Trust Administration
Trust Administration begins when a revocable living trust becomes irrevocable, typically following the passing of a loved one. Our firm provides the essential legal guidance to navigate the transition, ensuring that the successor trustee fulfills their fiduciary duties with clarity and legal compliance during the settlement of the trust estate.
What AC LAW Typically Handles:
- Notifying all beneficiaries and legal heirs of the trust status
- Marshaling, inventorying, and protecting all trust assets
- Coordinating seamlessly with financial and banking institutions
- Guiding the precise distribution of assets according to trust terms
- Ensuring total compliance with trust conditions and Florida law
Typical Fee Range: $3,000 – $7,500*
*Fees depend on trust complexity, number of assets, and the existence of any disputes. This note is for informational purposes and is subject to a personalized quote based on your unique case.
Understanding Our Fees
Florida law (Fla. Stat. §733.6171) establishes a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for formal probate based on a percentage of the estate's compensable value, typically 3% of the first $1 million. AC LAW offers flat-rate pricing as a transparent alternative, so you know your costs upfront rather than after assets are tallied. A free consultation will confirm which fee structure is appropriate for your estate.
At AC LAW, we believe in complete transparency throughout the estate administration process. While every estate presents a unique set of challenges, we provide a clear framework for our fees so you can move forward with clarity. Please note that all fees are subject to a personalized quote based on your specific situation and do not constitute legal advice.
Factors Increasing Cost
- Complexity and variety of estate assets
- Contested claims or beneficiary litigation
- High volume of creditors to be addressed
- Ownership of out-of-state property
- Difficulty locating named heirs
Factors Decreasing Cost
- Well-organized documentation
- Uncontested proceedings and clear consent
- Single beneficiary or straightforward distribution
- Limited variety of banking assets
- Updated estate planning documents
You Don't Have to Navigate This Alone
Losing a loved one is hard enough. The legal process that follows doesn't have to add to that burden. AC LAW guides families through every step of estate administration with clarity, compassion, and a commitment to getting it right — so you can focus on what matters most.
When you're ready, we're here.
Estate Administration FAQs
Navigating Florida probate can feel overwhelming. We have compiled these frequently asked questions to help you understand the process, typical timelines, and when you should seek professional at AC LAW.
What is Florida Estate Administration?
Estate administration is the court-supervised legal process of settling a loved one's affairs. This includes identifying and gathering assets, paying statutory claims and taxes, and distributing the remaining property to beneficiaries as directed by hardware or Florida law.
How long does the probate process typically take in Florida?
The timeline for probate in Florida depends largely on the type of administration required. Summary Administration, available for smaller or older estates, can often be completed in four to eight weeks. Formal Administration typically takes six months to one year or longer, as Florida law requires a mandatory creditor claim period of three months from the date of the first publication of notice. Estates involving disputes, complex assets, or unlocated heirs may take considerably longer. AC LAW works to move your matter forward as efficiently as the law allows while ensuring every statutory requirement is met.
Do all estates have to go through probate in Florida?
Not all assets are subject to probate in Florida. Assets held in a revocable living trust, accounts with designated beneficiaries, jointly held property with right of survivorship, and certain retirement accounts pass directly to heirs outside of the probate process. However, any asset titled solely in the decedent's name without a valid beneficiary designation will generally need to go through probate. An estate administration attorney can review the full asset picture to determine which assets require court involvement and which can be transferred directly.
What does a personal representative do in Florida probate?
A personal representative — referred to as an executor in other states — is the individual or institution appointed by the court to administer a Florida estate. Their responsibilities include filing the will with the probate court, notifying creditors and beneficiaries, inventorying and protecting estate assets, paying valid debts and expenses, filing final tax returns, and ultimately distributing assets to beneficiaries according to the will or Florida intestacy laws. Florida law requires that a personal representative be represented by a licensed Florida attorney in formal administration proceedings. AC LAW guides personal representatives through each step of this process.
What is the difference between summary and formal administration in Florida?
Summary Administration is a simplified, expedited probate process available when the estate's non-exempt assets are valued at $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years. It does not require the appointment of a personal representative and is generally faster and less costly. Formal Administration is required for larger or more complex estates and involves court supervision, a creditor notice period, and the formal appointment of a personal representative. The right process depends on the size and complexity of the estate. We assess this with you during your initial consultation.
Can I handle probate in Florida without an attorney?
Florida law requires that a personal representative in a formal probate administration be represented by a licensed Florida attorney. Self-representation is not permitted in most cases. Even in Summary Administration, where attorney representation is not always legally mandated, the procedural requirements, court filings, and creditor notice obligations are complex enough that attempting to navigate them without legal guidance significantly increases the risk of errors, delays, and personal liability. Working with a Florida probate attorney protects both the estate and the personal representative from costly mistakes.