Probate Attorney in Fort Lauderdale
When someone you love passes away, dealing with legal paperwork may be the last thing you feel prepared to handle. Yet questions about property, financial accounts, debts, beneficiaries, and the probate court can arise quickly.
You do not have to figure out the Florida probate process on your own.
Good Shepherd Legal helps families in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Broward County understand what needs to happen next and move through probate with greater clarity and confidence. Whether the estate may qualify for summary administration or requires formal administration, or involves Florida property owned by someone who lived in another state (ancillary administration), attorney Miguel Perez provides straightforward legal guidance designed to make an unfamiliar process easier to manage, in both English and Spanish.
¿Perdió a un ser querido? Le ayudamos a entender el proceso de sucesión (probate) en Florida, con orientación clara, en español.
Get clear answers about your next steps, or call (954) 548-9838.
Good Shepherd Legal has a 5.0-star rating across 78 client reviews as of September 2026.
What Is Probate in Florida?
Probate is the court-supervised process used to settle certain matters after a person dies. Depending on the circumstances, that can include identifying estate assets, addressing valid debts and expenses, carrying out the terms of a will when one exists, and ultimately transferring assets to the appropriate beneficiaries or heirs.
For many families, the challenge is not simply completing paperwork. It is knowing what applies to the estate, what needs to happen first, and how to avoid unnecessary confusion or delay.
That is where working with a Florida probate attorney can help. Good Shepherd Legal explains the process in plain language, helps determine which type of administration may apply, and gives families a clearer understanding of what to expect.
Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale?
Not every estate follows the same path. The type of probate administration required can depend on several factors, including the assets involved, how those assets were titled, whether there is a valid will, and the overall circumstances of the estate.
If you have recently lost a parent, spouse, or other loved one, you may be wondering:
- Does the estate need to go through probate?
- What should we do with the will?
- What happens to the home or other property?
- Who is responsible for handling the estate?
- Does the estate qualify for summary administration?
- Will formal administration be required?
- How are bills and creditor claims handled?
- How long does probate take?
- What should we do first?
A probate lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can review the situation, explain the available options, and help you understand the next steps.
You do not need to know all the answers before contacting an attorney. Getting legal guidance is often the first step toward understanding them.
One point many families do not know: in a Florida formal administration, the personal representative generally must be represented by an attorney admitted to practice in Florida unless the personal representative is the only person with an interest in the estate. In those cases, working with a probate lawyer is not simply helpful; it is required by the Florida Probate Rules. For summary administration, an attorney is not always required, but families often choose to work with one because the petition and supporting documents must meet Florida’s legal requirements, and filing errors can cause delays.
What To Do First: A Short Checklist
Order certified copies of the death certificate.
Banks, insurance companies, and the court will each ask for one. Ten is a reasonable starting number.
Locate the original will.
Florida law requires the person holding the original will to file it with the Clerk of Court in the county where the person lived within 10 days of learning of the death, even if no probate case is opened. Do not write on it, unstaple it, or leave it in a safe deposit box no one can access.
Do not distribute property, close accounts, or pay the estate’s debts yet
Until the court appoints someone, no one has legal authority to act for the estate, and paying the wrong creditor first can create problems later.
Make a simple list of what your loved one owned
The home, bank accounts, vehicles, retirement accounts, life insurance, and business interests. Where you know it, note how each was titled and whether a beneficiary was named. Assets with a named beneficiary or joint owner often pass outside of probate.
Gather what paperwork you can find.
Recent statements, deeds, and any trust documents.
Call Us
You do not need a complete picture before reaching out. A short conversation is usually enough to tell you which process applies and what to expect.
Summary Administration in Florida
Summary administration is a form of probate administration that may be available for certain Florida estates. When appropriate, it can provide a more streamlined process than formal administration, but whether an estate qualifies depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved.
Under Florida law, an estate may qualify for summary administration when either of the following is true:
- The estate is worth $150,000 or less. Florida raised this limit from $75,000 to $150,000 effective July 1, 2026, so many estates that were too large for summary administration a year ago now qualify. The limit counts only assets that actually pass through probate in Florida and does not include exempt property such as the homestead, so an estate that seems larger at first often still fits. If your loved one passed away before July 1, 2026, the prior $75,000 limit may still apply, so ask us which rule governs your estate.
- The person passed away more than two years ago. After two years, an estate may qualify for summary administration regardless of its value if the other legal requirements are met.
Even when an estate qualifies, summary administration is not always the right choice. Because no personal representative is appointed, there is no one with ongoing authority to deal with banks, sell property, or handle issues that come up later. Part of our job is helping you decide whether the faster route will actually get you where you need to go.
Good Shepherd Legal can help you understand:
- Whether summary administration may be available
- What information and documentation may be needed
- How estate assets are addressed
- What steps may be required before assets are distributed
- What family members and beneficiaries should expect during the process
The important first step is determining which probate procedure is appropriate for the estate.
Formal Administration in Florida
Formal administration is another form of Florida probate, commonly used when an estate requires a more structured, court-supervised process.
For someone who has never been through probate before, formal administration can feel overwhelming. There may be court filings, deadlines, estate assets to manage, creditor issues to address, and responsibilities assigned to the person handling the estate.
A probate administration attorney can help make those responsibilities easier to understand. Good Shepherd Legal walks clients through what is happening at each stage, what may be required of them, and what comes next.
How Much Does Probate Cost in Florida?
Florida law sets out what a probate attorney may reasonably charge for an estate (Fla. Stat. § 733.6171), but a statutory framework is not the same as knowing your number. Good Shepherd Legal handles probate matters on a flat-fee basis, so you know the cost before the work begins and you are never billed by the hour for a phone call or an email.
Our flat fees for probate start at $2,000. The fee for a particular estate depends on the type of administration and the complexity of the estate, and we quote it in writing before you engage us. Court filing fees, publication costs, and certified copies are charged by the Clerk of Court and other third parties and are separate from attorney’s fees.
Depending on the circumstances of the estate, attorney’s fees and certain probate costs may be paid from estate assets as expenses of administration rather than out of the family’s pocket. If the estate has little liquid cash at the start, tell us. We will talk through the options with you.
How Long Does Probate Take in Florida?
Summary administration can often be completed in a matter of weeks to a few months, depending on the court’s schedule and how quickly the required information and signatures are gathered.
Formal administration normally takes not less than six months, and often longer. Part of that is by design. Florida law gives creditors limited periods to file claims against the estate, including a three-month period after notice is first published and, for certain creditors who must receive notice directly, a separate deadline based on when that notice is served. Distributions generally cannot be finalized until applicable creditor periods have run and valid claims are addressed. Estates that involve selling real property, disagreements among beneficiaries, tax issues, or heirs who are hard to locate take longer.
We will give you a realistic timeline at the outset and keep you informed as the case moves through the court, so you are never left wondering what is happening.
Live Outside Florida? We Can Help.
Many of the families we help do not live in Florida. A parent retired to Fort Lauderdale, a relative owned a condo in Broward, or the family is spread across several states or countries. Good Shepherd Legal handles probate matters remotely: meetings by phone or video, documents signed electronically or by remote online notarization where permitted, and court hearings handled by the attorney. Most out-of-state clients never need to travel to Florida.
Two things families outside Florida should know:
- Florida limits who may serve as personal representative. A person who does not live in Florida may serve only if he or she is a close relative of the person who died, such as a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or certain other family members. We can help you determine whether you qualify, or who else can serve if you do not.
- Florida property owned by someone who lived elsewhere may need its own Florida proceeding. This is called ancillary administration. We handle ancillary administration for out-of-state estates and coordinate with the attorney handling the main probate in the home state so the two cases move together.
What Does a Probate Administration Attorney Do?
Probate often comes at a time when families are already dealing with grief and significant change. At the same time, important legal and financial matters may need attention.
Depending on the needs of the estate, a probate attorney may assist with:
- Reviewing the will and available estate documents
- Determining the appropriate form of probate administration
- Preparing and filing required probate documents
- Guiding the person responsible for administering the estate
- Identifying and addressing estate assets
- Navigating creditor-related requirements
- Coordinating steps needed before distributions are made
- Helping move the estate toward completion
The goal is to give families a clearer path forward and reduce the uncertainty that often comes with an unfamiliar legal process.
Clear Guidance During a Difficult Time
Probate can involve unfamiliar terminology, court procedures, deadlines, and decisions that may feel especially burdensome after a loss. Good Shepherd Legal focuses on making the process easier to understand.
Rather than overwhelming families with legal jargon, attorney Miguel Perez breaks the process into manageable steps, so you can understand what needs attention now and what comes later. Clients can expect clear explanations, practical guidance, and straightforward communication throughout.
Miguel helps clients understand the legal and practical issues that can arise throughout the probate process. And with full service available in English and Spanish, the firm is able to guide South Florida’s diverse communities with clarity every step of the way.
Probate Guidance for Fort Lauderdale and Broward County Families
If your loved one lived in Fort Lauderdale or elsewhere in Broward County, Good Shepherd Legal can help you understand the probate and estate administration process that may apply.
The firm assists families with matters involving both summary administration in Florida and formal administration in Florida, as well as ancillary administration for out-of-state estates with Florida property, providing practical guidance based on the circumstances of each estate.
Whether you are trying to determine if probate is necessary or you already know that an estate needs to be administered, having a Broward County probate attorney can help make the process more manageable.
Not sure where to begin? Get Clear Answers About Your Situation or call (954) 548-9838
Serving Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties
Broward County
Miami-Dade County
Palm Beach County
For families in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Wellington, and West Palm Beach, we handle probate in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.
Because most of our work is done by phone, video, and electronic filing, your location within South Florida rarely changes how we work with you.
Speak With a Fort Lauderdale Probate Attorney
There is already enough to manage after the loss of someone close to you. The probate process should not create more confusion than necessary.
Many people put off contacting a probate attorney because they think they need to gather every document or understand the entire estate first. You do not. Start with what you know. If you are unsure whether probate is necessary, whether summary administration may apply, or whether formal administration will be required, Good Shepherd Legal can help you understand where to begin.
A conversation with an attorney can help turn uncertainty into a clearer plan, with no cost and no obligation to move forward.