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Florida Summary Administration

A Streamlined Probate Process

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Summary Administration

Helping Clients Through the Probate Process in Florida

When a person passes away in Florida, their estate must be administered through the probate court. While probate can be a lengthy process, there is a shortened form of probate referred to as summary administration. Summary administration generally takes less time, expense, and effort than formal probate administration, and it does not require the court to appoint a personal representative. If you believe that you might qualify for this process, please discuss your situation with our Florida summary administration lawyers at JM Legacy today.

Qualifying for Summary Administration

There are different ways that an estate can go through summary administration instead of full administration in the probate court. The following are some qualifications:
  • The decedent passed away over two years prior, and there was no previous probate case opened
  • The value of all the estate property that must go through probate after creditor claims is less than $75,000
  • The decedent did not have a will that specified formal probate for the estate
If your loved one passed away and the situation meets one or more of these qualifications, discuss the possibility of summary administration with our legal team today.
Many people believe that an estate will not qualify for summary administration because the decedent owned a home that is worth more than $75,000. However, this is often not the case if the house was the decedent’s primary residence. Under Florida Homestead laws, the house can pass directly to specific beneficiaries, and the value of the home will not be included in the estate for the purposes of probate administration. For this reason, a person with $55,000 in assets and a home worth $200,000 can still have an estate that qualifies for summary administration.

The Summary Administration Process

Just like formal administration, you will need to start summary administration by filing a petition in. The petition may be filed by someone the will designated as the personal representative or any beneficiary. If there is a surviving spouse, and they are not the personal representative, the spouse will need to sign and verify the petition.
The petition needs to demonstrate to the court why the estate is qualified for summary administration, as well as lists of assets, debts, and the plan to distribute the assets. If the probate court approves the estate for summary administration, it can then set forth an order for the distribution of assets to creditors and beneficiaries. This can happen immediately. Note that if the decedent passed away more than two years prior, creditor claims will not be an issue in Florida.

Contact Our Florida Probate Lawyers for Assistance

If you’re browsing this part of our website then you’ve likely lost someone you care about. First and foremost, please accept our deepest condolences. We understand this may be a difficult time for you, and are here to help.
Even though summary administration can be a simpler process than formal probate, you still want to discuss the process with an experienced probate attorney at JM Legacy Law. Having the right representation and counsel can prevent complications, so please call (954) 723-4322 or contact us online today for more information about our Florida probate services.
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I lost my husband unexpectedly last year. I recently realized I needed to update my will. Ms. Love was recommended by a friend. As a retired law enforcement officer, I have dealt with many lawyers over the years. Most of these encounters were not pleasant. This one was. As I deal with my grief and begin to rebuild my life, I was not looking forward...

— Dale

In gratitude for excellent service.

I had the pleasure of working with Jackie Love for my estate planning, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From our first meeting, Jackie was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly patient in explaining every detail of the process. She took the time to understand my specific needs and made sure everything was organized exactly as I wanted. Jackie made what could have been a stressful and confusing process feel...

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I had an excellent experience using JM Legacy Law. Working with this law firm was incredibly easy, with clear communication and well-organized sections that make finding information effortless. The contracts and wills provided were thorough and reliable, covering everything from legal definitions to practical guidance, which gave me confidence in the accuracy of the resources provided. What impressed me most was working directly with Jackie Love. She really listened to...

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I hired Jacqueline to do all my personal estate planning and draw up the appropriate documents. She was very thorough and helpful and didn't rush our conversations at all. I received my beautiful binder with everything I needed inside and then some. I highly recommend Jacqueline for all of your legal needs.

— Patricia

Very Happy

Jacqueline is always ready and determined to do whatever is necessary for her clients. She is trustworthy, always on time and ready to hurdle over any obstacles that may come her way. Jacqueline always has a plan A, B and C. She is assertive and professional. She will not promise anything that she can't give. If you are looking for someone who has the best interests in her clients, she...

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Outstanding attorney. I've known Jacqueline for many years, she is an outstanding attorney. She is a woman of great integrity and is very heartfelt. As she took on my stepson's guardianship case, which we thought was going to be a quick and easy case, ended up having many obstacles and roadblocks. Jacqueline took me through the process very smoothly and resolved everything with a very gracious demeanor. I recommend her...

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Patient, Kind and Professional

Jackie is like no other, she goes above and beyond in her field every day for her clients. If they aren’t first then they are not with Jackie. If you are looking to get something done in a timely manner without any hassle or pain along the way. This is the attorney for you

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There is no better

We routinely have contractual agreements that we need reviewed in our business, with varying complexities. Jacqueline has always provided an intelligent and thorough analysis, along with tailored legal recommendations for each business agreement we have encountered. She is professional, very knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and always treats each of her clients like they are her very best clients! Outstanding attorney! I would recommend her to any individual, family...

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Professionalism at it's best!

I cannot thank her enough for the services Jackie Love, Esq. has rendered on my behalf. The reading and handing over the items listed in my mother's Small Living Will were promptly and perfectly executed. I recognize the excellent work Jackie did as my attorney. I was so impressed with her attention to detail with the Living Will paperwork. Jackie's legal expertise...

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A reliable lawyer with passion, dedication, and professionalism

Ms. Love is extremely professional with an eye for detail and takes the time to make sure her clients get the results in which they are looking for. Virtual meetings are extremely helpful and she makes them quite personable, it’s also so much more convenient to navigate during this pandemic.

— Anonymous

The Best.

Professionalism at it's best! We routinely have contractual agreements that we need reviewed in our business, with varying complexities. Jacqueline has always provided an intelligent and thorough analysis, along with tailored legal recommendations for each business agreement we have encountered. She is professional, very knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and always treats each of her clients like they are her very best clients! Outstanding attorney! I would recommend her to any individual, family...

Anonymous

Ms. Love came highly recommended by family friends for a consult. She was very informative, professional and we felt very comfortable with her. We plan on using her services for our estate planning.

— Timothy

Professional

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I retained Jackie for estate planning and I cannot recommend her enough! Jackie is a very kind person and cares about her clients. She made the daunting process of estate planning very easy to understand. If I didn’t understand something, she took the time to make sure I understood. If you need a lawyer who can help you navigate planning your estate efficiently and effectively, Jackie is...

— Ginny

Professional and Patient