Probate Attorney in
Weston, Florida
Guiding Weston families near Bonaventure, Weston Town Center, and Cleveland Clinic Florida through Broward County probate administration. Formal & Summary Administration.
- Summary Administration
- Formal Administration
- Trust Administration
- Hablamos Español
- Serving All of Florida
Probate Attorney Serving Weston, Florida and Broward County
Losing a family member is one of the most difficult experiences a family can face. When that loss also requires navigating Florida’s legal probate process — with its court filings, statutory deadlines, creditor notice requirements, and formal inventory obligations — the burden on an already grieving family can feel overwhelming.
At JM Legacy Law, our legal team handles the entire Florida probate process for families in Weston and Broward County so that you can focus on what matters. We guide personal representatives — the person named in the will or appointed by the court to administer the estate — through every legal step, from filing the initial petition to final distribution of assets to beneficiaries.
If a loved one owned property in Weston or elsewhere in Broward County, and that property was not held in a trust or jointly with right of survivorship, Florida probate administration is almost certainly required. JM Legacy Law evaluates which type of administration applies during the initial consultation and maps the most efficient path forward.
What JM Legacy Law Assists You With:
- Reviewing Wills and Estate documents
- Advising executors on duties and timelines
- Filing the petitions to open the probate with Probate Court
- Publication of the Notice to Creditors and managing claims
- Preparation and filing of the estate inventory
- Real estate and personal property asset coordination
- Asset distribution to beneficiaries per the will or Florida intestacy law
- Final accounting and petition for discharge
Understanding Florida Probate Administration
Florida has two primary forms of probate administration: summary administration and formal administration. Understanding which applies to your situation determines the timeline, cost, and procedural requirements your family will face.
Summary Administration
Available when non-exempt estate assets total $75,000 or less, or the decedent died more than two years ago. Typically resolved in 4–8 weeks with no court hearings in most cases.
Formal Administration
Required for larger estates, typically takes 9–18 months in Broward County. Requires appointment of a personal representative, mandatory creditor notice period, formal inventory, and final accounting.
Florida Statute §733.6171
Requires the personal representative to retain a licensed Florida attorney for formal probate administration.
What Happens If There Is No Will — Intestate Estates in Weston
When someone dies without a valid will in Florida — known as dying intestate — the Florida Probate Code dictates who receives the estate through a fixed hierarchy of relatives. The distribution rules do not consider what the decedent may have intended or what individual family members may need.
In an intestate estate, a personal representative must still be appointed by the court, and the same probate administration process applies. JM Legacy Law assists families navigating intestate estates by identifying the proper beneficiaries under Florida law, managing the court process, and ensuring assets are distributed correctly and documented properly.
Serving Weston Families Through the Broward County Probate Process
JM Legacy Law represents personal representatives and beneficiaries in Broward County probate matters, including estates in Weston, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Cooper City, and throughout western Broward County. we work efficiently to move your matter through the court process as quickly as possible.
Probate and Estate Administration Services
Formal Administration
Complete representation of the personal representative through all phases of Broward County formal probate administration, from filing to final discharge.
Summary Administration
Efficient handling of smaller estates or those qualifying based on the decedent’s time of death — typically resolved in weeks rather than months.
Trust Administration
Guidance for trustees administering a revocable living trust after the grantor’s death — including notice requirements, accounting, and distribution obligations.
Intestate Estate Administration
Representation of families when a loved one died without a will — identifying proper beneficiaries under Florida law and administering the estate accordingly.
Ancillary Probate
Handling of Florida probate proceedings for non-residents who died owning real property in Broward County or elsewhere in Florida.
Creditor Claim Management
Review and response to creditor claims filed against the estate, including objections to improper or inflated claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
My loved one died with a home in Weston. Does the house have to go through probate?
Whether the Weston property must go through Florida probate depends on how it was titled. If the property was titled solely in the decedent’s name and was not held in a trust, probate administration is required to transfer the property to heirs. If it was held in a trust, jointly with right of survivorship, or with a surviving spouse under proper homestead designation, probate may not be required. JM Legacy Law can evaluate the title situation during the initial consultation.
How long does Broward County probate take for a Weston estate?
Summary administration in Broward County typically takes four to eight weeks when the estate qualifies. Formal administration typically takes nine to eighteen months. Complex estates with significant creditor claims or disputed assets can take longer. JM Legacy Law provides an honest timeline estimate based on your specific estate during the initial consultation.
I was named as personal representative in my parent's will. What does that mean?
As personal representative, you have significant legal responsibilities under Florida law — including filing the probate petition, notifying creditors, creating an estate inventory, managing estate assets, addressing creditor claims, filing a final accounting, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Florida Statute §733.6171 requires you to hire a licensed Florida attorney for formal probate. JM Legacy Law guides personal representatives through every step and handles all court filings on your behalf.
How much will Weston probate cost?
Probate costs include court filing fees, publication fees for the creditor notice, and attorney fees. For formal administration, Florida Statute §733.6171 sets statutory attorney fees based on the gross value of the estate — for example, 3% on the first $1 million in estate value, calculated on the gross estate before debts. JM Legacy Law explains all applicable fees during the initial consultation before any work begins.
My parent lived in another state but owned a condo in Weston. Do we need a Florida probate?
Yes. If your parent owned Florida real estate titled in their individual name — not in a trust — a Florida ancillary probate proceeding is required to transfer that property, even if the primary estate is being administered in another state. JM Legacy Law handles ancillary probate for out-of-state families regularly.
Can JM Legacy Law help with trust administration as well as probate?
Yes. If your loved one had a revocable living trust, their assets may pass outside of probate — but the trust still requires administration. The trustee has legal obligations including notifying beneficiaries, preparing an accounting, and distributing assets according to the trust terms. JM Legacy Law guides trustees through this process under Florida law.