How Much Does Florida Probate Cost?

By Phil Rarick, Weston Probate Attorney

Attorney’s fees are usually the biggest cost for a Florida Probate. These fees depend on whether the proceeding is Summary Administration – usually the quickest and least expensive – or Formal Administration.

Let’s start with Summary Administration. Summary administration may be used if (a) the value of the decedent’s entire estate exclusive of exempt property, does not exceed $75,000 or (b) the decedent has been dead for more than two years, regardless of the size of the estate.

Summary Administrations are usually charged at the attorney’s hourly rate. After reviewing the will, inventory, and death certificate, we can give you an estimate of our fees. Fees typically start at $2,500 for Summary Administration.

The other probate option is called Formal Administration. This proceeding must be used if the decedent’s estate does not qualify for summary administration.

Florida law sets forth a presumptive statutory fee schedule for probate attorney fees. For example, fees are 3% of the probate estate if the total estate value is under $1 million. Additional fees may be charged at an hourly rate for extraordinary services, such as sale of real estate.

Some Florida law firms only charge fees at the statutory fee schedule. This fee schedule can be unfair to the family if the probate is simple. Our Florida probate attorneys will discuss the options for attorney’s fees with you; we can often give you an estimate of the fees and costs involved.

For over 20 years, Rarick & Bowden Gold, P.A. has been the law firm other lawyers have turned to for Florida probate matters. Let us know if we can help you. Call Phil Rarick, Weston probate attorney, at 305-556-5209.