What's the difference between estate administration and probate?

Estate administration is the broader process of settling someone's affairs after death, which may or may not involve probate court. Probate is the specific court-supervised process required when someone dies with assets in their name alone, not in trust, not jointly owned, and without beneficiary designations. If the deceased had a well-planned estate with trusts and proper beneficiary designations, estate administration may be handled without probate. However, even non-probate estates still involve work such as transferring titles, closing accounts, paying final bills, and filing tax returns.

How long does estate administration take?

The timeline varies based on the estate's complexity and whether probate is required. Simple estates with assets in trust or with beneficiary designations may be completed in a few months. Estates going through formal probate in Florida typically take at least 8 to 12 months because of the creditor claim period and court requirements. More complex estates involving business interests, real estate sales, tax issues, or family disputes can take a year or longer.

What are my responsibilities as executor or personal representative?

An executor or personal representative must act in the estate's best interests and follow the law. Responsibilities include gathering assets, protecting property, paying valid debts and expenses, filing tax returns, keeping detailed financial records, communicating with beneficiaries, and distributing assets according to the will or state law. This is a fiduciary role, which means the person serving is held to a high legal standard.

Can I handle estate administration without an attorney?

Legally, yes, but it can be risky. Even straightforward estates often involve legal documents, court procedures, tax considerations, and possible liability issues. Florida law has specific rules for estate administration, and courts expect them to be followed correctly. Professional legal guidance can help prevent costly mistakes and protect both the estate and the personal representative.

What happens if there are disputes among family members?

Family disputes are common during estate administration. Conflicts may involve asset values, distribution of personal items, the validity of the will, or the actions of the personal representative. Clear communication is often the first step toward resolving disagreements. If that is not enough, mediation may help avoid court. In more serious cases, litigation may be necessary.

Do I get paid for serving as executor or personal representative?

Yes. Florida law allows personal representatives to receive reasonable compensation for their work, usually based on a percentage of the estate's value or the time and effort involved. The amount depends on the estate's size and complexity. This compensation is paid from estate assets, not personally by beneficiaries. Some family members choose to waive the fee, especially when they are also beneficiaries.

Estate Administration in Pembroke Pines, FL

Book a Call

When someone you love passes away, handling their estate is the last thing you want to think about, but it often can't wait. If you're a family member, heir, or named personal representative dealing with a Florida estate, you likely have questions about what happens next, how long it takes, and what you're legally required to do.

Carol L. Grant, P.A. helps families throughout Pembroke Pines and Broward County handle probate administration with clarity and care. We guide estate heirs and personal representatives through both summary administration and formal probate administration, handling every court filing, creditor notice, and distribution step so your family can focus on what matters most.

schedule a free consultation to talk through where your family stands.

Our Probate Administration Services in Pembroke Pines

Florida probate law gives families more than one path through the process. Which route applies depends on the size of the estate, how assets were titled, and how long ago the person passed. Here's what we handle.

Summary Administration

Summary administration is available when the value of non-exempt probate assets is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years. It's faster, less costly, and involves no personal representative, the court issues a single Order of Summary Administration that transfers assets directly to beneficiaries. Most straightforward Pembroke Pines estates complete summary administration within one to two months. Learn more about summary administration →

Formal Probate Administration

Formal administration applies when non-exempt estate assets exceed $75,000, or when ongoing estate management is required, such as selling real property, managing a business interest, or collecting debts owed to the estate. The court appoints a personal representative, issues Letters of Administration, and oversees each step through final discharge. Uncontested formal administration typically takes six to eighteen months in Broward County. Learn more about formal administration →

Personal Representative Guidance

Being named personal representative in a will, or appointed by the court, carries legal responsibility. Florida law requires you to act as a fiduciary: inventorying assets, notifying creditors, maintaining accurate records, and distributing property only after debts and taxes are paid. We prepare all required filings and walk you through each obligation so nothing falls through the cracks. See how we support personal representatives →

Ancillary Probate for Out-of-State Families

If a non-Florida resident owned property in Pembroke Pines or elsewhere in Broward County, a separate Florida probate proceeding is required to transfer that property, regardless of where the primary estate is being handled. We coordinate ancillary proceedings for families managing estates across multiple states. Learn more about ancillary probate →

Creditor Claims Management

Florida law requires the personal representative to publish Notice to Creditors for two consecutive weeks and provide direct notice to known creditors. We manage the publication process, track the claims period, evaluate creditor submissions, and help resolve valid claims in the proper statutory order. See how we handle creditor claims →

Estate Administration and Trust Settlement

When a decedent left a revocable living trust, the trust assets pass outside of probate, but the estate and trust must still be coordinated. We handle the full administration of both probate and trust assets to make sure everything is distributed correctly. Learn more about estate administration →

Why Pembroke Pines Families Choose Carol L. Grant, P.A.

Probate is a legal process, but it's also a deeply personal one. Most families going through it have never done it before. Here's what makes a difference when you work with our office.

We explain everything in plain language. Attorney Carol Grant has a background in both law and nursing, a combination that makes her particularly skilled at walking clients through complex information without making it feel overwhelming.
We know Broward County Court. We file probate cases regularly at the Broward County Circuit Court in Fort Lauderdale. That familiarity with local procedures, timelines, and court expectations means fewer delays and no guesswork.
We keep you informed. You will never wonder where things stand. We update you at every significant step and respond promptly to questions by phone and email.
We handle the paperwork so you don't have to. From the initial petition to the final discharge, we prepare and file every required document, inventory, creditor notices, accounting, and distribution orders.
We serve families during genuinely hard times. Probate starts when someone dies. We take that seriously. Our approach is professional, responsive, and compassionate from the first call.

“Attorney Carol Grant and her team were an absolute pleasure to work with. I lost my mother in May 2019 and had been named her Personal Representative in her will. I tried handling the probate case on my own, after going through many hurdles, I realized that was not an option. Carol was absolutely perfect and was a Godsend. She was upfront and transparent about everything and extremely responsive. I completely recommend using her for any probate cases in South Florida.”

— Kevin, Google Review, 5 stars

“Carol L. Grant did a phenomenal job in the handling of my mom's estate. She was punctual and accurate with court documents and kept my sister and I informed on every detail of the work. She is dedicated and compassionate and won't stop until every task is complete and the client is satisfied.”

— Carol Cash, Google Review, 5 stars

“I highly recommend Attorney Carol Grant for getting us through the probate process. She is very knowledgeable and explained everything in detail, always kept me informed by phone or email.”

— Houston Salmon, Google Review, 5 stars

How Our Probate Administration Process Works

Every estate is different, but the path through Florida probate follows a clear structure. Here's how we work with you from start to finish.

Free consultation. We review the estate situation, identify whether summary or formal administration applies, and explain what to expect, timelines, costs, and next steps.
File the petition. We prepare and file the appropriate petition with Broward County Circuit Court. If a will exists, we submit it for the court's review at this stage.
Manage creditor notices and inventory. We publish the required Notice to Creditors, notify known creditors directly, and prepare the estate inventory within the 60-day filing deadline.
Handle claims, taxes, and distributions. We review and address creditor claims, coordinate any required tax filings, and prepare for asset distribution once all obligations are settled.
Close the estate. We file the final accounting and petition for discharge. Once the court approves, the estate is officially closed and the personal representative is released from duty.

Ready to get started? Schedule a free probate consultation →

What Assets Are Exempt from Probate in Florida?

Not everything a person owned at death goes through probate. Florida law protects a significant category of assets from the process entirely. Knowing what is exempt can affect whether probate is required at all, and which type applies.

Assets that pass outside of probate in Florida include:

Homestead property. The family home is constitutionally protected. It passes to a surviving spouse or heirs by operation of law, outside of probate and shielded from most creditor claims.
Assets with named beneficiaries. Life insurance policies, IRAs, 401(k)s, and payable-on-death (POD) bank accounts transfer directly to the named beneficiary, no court involvement required.
Jointly owned property with survivorship rights. Property held as joint tenants with right of survivorship, or as tenants by the entirety for married couples, passes automatically to the surviving owner.
Trust assets. Property held in a properly funded revocable living trust does not go through probate. The successor trustee distributes it under the trust terms.
Two motor vehicles. Florida exempts up to two vehicles from the probate estate.
Household furnishings and appliances up to $20,000. This category of personal property is also exempt from the probate estate.

One detail that surprises many families: homestead property and these other exempt assets do not count toward the $75,000 threshold for summary administration eligibility. That means an estate consisting primarily of a Pembroke Pines home plus a modest bank account may still qualify for the faster, less expensive summary process. Read more in our article on what assets are exempt from probate in Florida.

Common Questions About Florida Probate Administration

How long does probate take in Pembroke Pines?

Summary administration typically closes within one to two months when all parties cooperate. Formal administration for an uncontested estate generally runs six to eighteen months, driven largely by the creditor claims period. Complex estates with business interests or multi-county assets may take longer. See our full breakdown in How Long Does Probate Take in Florida?

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Florida?

Florida law requires that a personal representative in a formal administration proceeding be represented by a Florida-licensed attorney. For summary administration, an attorney is not legally required, but the process involves specific court procedures, notice rules, and filing deadlines. Errors can delay the case, expose the personal representative to personal liability, or result in creditor claims going unanswered. Most families find it well worth having professional help.

What is the difference between summary and formal administration?

Summary administration is a streamlined process for smaller estates, where non-exempt assets are $75,000 or less, or when the person died more than two years ago. No personal representative is appointed; the court issues a single order transferring assets. Formal administration applies to larger estates or those with ongoing affairs to settle. It involves a court-appointed personal representative, Letters of Administration, and a multi-step supervised process.

How much does probate cost in Broward County?

Costs depend on the estate's size and complexity. Under Florida Statute §733.6171, attorney fees are governed by a percentage-based schedule tied to estate value. Court filing fees, publication costs for the Notice to Creditors, and other administrative expenses also apply. For a straightforward uncontested formal administration, total costs typically fall in the range of $3,000 to $10,000 or more. We discuss fees transparently at the outset so there are no surprises.

What assets are exempt from probate in Florida?

Homestead property, assets with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts, POD accounts), jointly owned property with survivorship rights, trust assets, up to two motor vehicles, and up to $20,000 in household furnishings are all exempt from the Florida probate estate under state law.

Areas We Serve

Our office is located at 1601 N. Flamingo Road, Suite 1 in Pembroke Pines, serving families throughout Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. We regularly handle probate matters for clients in Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Hollywood, Davie, Cooper City, Weston, Hallandale Beach, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, and the surrounding communities. For out-of-state families with property in Broward County, we handle ancillary probate proceedings as well.

Other Probate & Estate Administration Services We Offer

Summary Administration - simplified probate for smaller estates or deaths more than two years ago
Formal Probate Administration - full court-supervised administration for larger or more complex estates
Ancillary Probate - Florida probate proceedings for non-residents who owned property here
Creditor Claims Management - notice publication, claims review, and resolution
Estate Administration - coordination of probate and trust assets through final distribution
Trust Administration Services - trust settlement outside of probate for properly funded trusts
Filing the Will with the Court - proper submission and proving of the decedent’s will
Florida Homestead Law - constitutional protections for the family home in probate

Schedule Your Estate Administration Discovery Call Today

Settling an estate doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Whether you're just learning about your role as executor or you're already managing the estate and need guidance, Carol L. Grant, P.A. can help. We'll review your situation, answer your questions, and show you exactly what needs to happen next. You don't have to figure this out on your own. Call (954) 404-8274 today to schedule your consultation, or email us at Carol@CarolGrantLaw.com. Let's work through this together, one step at a time.