Florida Probate Costs & Fees Guide | Pembroke Pines Attorney
How Much Does Probate Cost in Florida?
Probate is not free, and the cost often catches families off guard. For an estate worth $300,000 to $500,000, total probate costs in Florida typically run $10,000 to $20,000 or more. That figure covers three categories of expense: court filing fees, attorney fees, and additional costs like appraisals, accounting, and certified copies.
The final number depends on the estate's value, how many assets need to be located and appraised, and whether the process moves forward without dispute. This guide walks through each cost so you know what to expect before you meet with an attorney. If you're new to the process, our overview of Florida probate administration in Pembroke Pines is a good place to start.
| Estate Value | Attorney Fee (3% statutory) | Court Filing Fee | Other Costs (est.) | Typical Total Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,250 | $400 – $500 | $300 – $500 | $3,000 – $3,500 |
| $300,000 | $9,000 | $400 – $500 | $500 – $1,500 | $10,000 – $11,000 |
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $400 – $500 | $1,000 – $2,000 | $16,500 – $18,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $30,000 | $400 – $500 | $1,500 – $3,000+ | $32,000+ |
Figures above reflect the 3% statutory attorney fee tier on the first $1 million of estate value and are for illustration only. Every estate is different, and these ranges are not a quote or a guarantee.
What Are Florida Probate Attorney Fees Under Statute?
Florida law sets a presumptively reasonable fee schedule for attorneys handling probate under Florida Statute §733.6171. Attorneys have the option to charge 3% of the estate's value for many typical estates. On an estate worth $300,000, that works out to at least $9,000 in attorney fees alone. If the estate is larger, the percentage scales down at higher tiers, and if there's litigation involved - meaning family members are contesting the will, who should serve as personal representative, or how assets are distributed - the fees go up from there.
Some attorneys also offer an hourly rate as an alternative to the statutory percentage. Hourly rates for experienced probate attorneys typically run $300 to $450 an hour or more. Whichever structure you choose, the fee is negotiable, and the court must approve it before it's paid.
Ready to talk through the specific costs for your estate?
Every estate is different, and the fastest way to get a real number is a conversation. Book a free consultation with Carol L. Grant, P.A. and we'll walk through your situation together.
What Does the Personal Representative Fee Add to the Cost?
Under Florida Statute §733.617, the personal representative is entitled to a fee because the role carries real work, liability, and responsibility. A personal representative can charge up to 3% of the estate's inventory value as compensation.
In practice, when the personal representative is a family member, that fee is often waived. When it isn't waived, it's a cost worth planning for separately from attorney fees - the two are not the same line item, even though both are based on a similar percentage. Our guide to personal representative duties in Pembroke Pines covers the full scope of what the role involves.
Who Pays Probate Attorney and Personal Representative Fees?
Both attorney fees and personal representative fees are paid from estate assets, not out of the family's pocket. Creditors with valid claims against the estate get paid before any beneficiary or heir receives a distribution. That order of payment is one reason probate can feel slow: the people who inherit are often the last to see any money, and only after fees, costs, and valid debts are settled.
What Court Costs and Filing Fees Apply in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County?
Carol L. Grant, P.A. handles probate matters in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties, and the filing fees are similar across all three. Expect to pay $400 to $500 to open a probate case, with the possibility of small additional fees depending on the county and the type of administration. That money goes directly to the clerk of the court - it's separate from anything paid to your attorney.
What Other Costs Come Up During Probate?
Beyond attorney and court fees, the personal representative is responsible for making sure the estate's taxes are filed correctly, which usually means hiring a CPA. Depending on what's in the estate, you may also need professional appraisals - for a home, a vintage car, a coin collection, or other valuable property. Those costs add up to anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, and every estate is different.
On top of that, expect smaller miscellaneous costs: publishing a notice to creditors in a local newspaper and paying for certified copies of court documents. None of these are optional, and all of them factor into the total cost of settling an estate.
What Assets Are Exempt From Probate in Florida?
Not everything a person owns has to go through probate. Florida law exempts several categories of assets, and knowing what qualifies can meaningfully reduce the size - and cost - of the probate estate:
- Homestead property, which receives special protection under Florida law
- Assets with a named beneficiary, such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts
- Property owned jointly with right of survivorship
- Assets already held in a trust
- Payable-on-death and transfer-on-death accounts
Fewer probate assets generally means a smaller compensable estate value, which lowers both attorney and personal representative fees. Learn more in our guide to Florida's homestead exemption.
How Long Does Probate Take, and Does That Affect the Cost?
Formal probate administration in Florida typically takes 6 to 12 months. That timeline can stretch out further if there's litigation or a dispute among family members. A longer timeline means beneficiaries and heirs wait longer to receive their share, since creditors must be paid first. For a closer look at what drives that timeline, see how long probate takes in Florida.
Should I Hire a Flat Fee or Hourly Probate Attorney?
Most Florida probate attorneys work under the statutory percentage model, since it's the default the law provides for and gives everyone a predictable framework. An hourly arrangement can make sense for a very simple estate with few assets, though costs are harder to predict in advance. True flat-fee probate representation is less common, given how closely Florida's fee statute is tied to estate value. The right structure depends on your estate's size and complexity - it's worth raising directly in your first conversation with an attorney.
Talk to a Pembroke Pines Probate Attorney About Your Estate
Cost anxiety is real, and we'd rather walk you through the numbers honestly than let you guess. Carol L. Grant, P.A. has served families throughout Pembroke Pines, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Palm Beach County with transparent, upfront guidance through every stage of probate and estate administration. Book your free consultation today and get clarity on what your family's probate will actually cost.