Over the past decade, there has been a significant surge of nearly 50% in probate court filings across the state, which is more than twice the growth rate of Florida’s general population during the same period. The cause behind this increase is uncertain, but the disproportionate growth in Florida’s senior population may have contributed to it.
Florida Law requires you to file the Will within ten (10) days of a person’s death. This puts the original Will into the Court’s custody but is not the same as probating the Estate. It is surprising to many who find themselves managing an Estate that hiring a probate attorney is mandatory. It is also state law that the payment of Florida probate legal fees comes from the estate assets.
The total cost of the probate process is dependent upon a number of factors, including the location of the Estate, whether it is simple or complex, and whether there is a need to sell real property.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Florida probate process and associated legal fees, including Estate administration fees, probate lawyer costs, probate Court expenses, and inheritance attorney costs.
Basic Probate Fees
The administration of an Estate takes place in the Florida probate Court. There are fees you pay to the Court when filing the paperwork necessary to open the Estate and complete the probate process. These fees vary depending upon whether anything, such as the contesting of a will or any other adversary proceedings or litigation, takes place.
In addition to the Court filing fees, you may encounter the following:
Personal Representative Fees
In the majority of probate cases, the Personal Representative receives reasonable payment of fees. In accordance with § 733.617 of Florida law, compensation is payable to the Personal Representative from the assets of the Estate. The determination of reasonable fees for a Personal Representative is a percentage of the total value of the Estate:
- 3% commission for the first $1 million
- 5% for value above $1 million but not exceeding $5 million
- 2% for value above $5 million but not exceeding $10 million
- 5% for value in excess of $10 million
In addition to receiving compensation against the value of the Estate, the Personal Representative may also receive additional payment for performing extraordinary services, including the selling of real property, litigation, maintaining the business of the deceased, or any other special services necessary.
Appraisal and Valuation Fees
It may be necessary to obtain appraisals to determine the value on the date of death for stocks, business interests, personal property, business holdings, and real estate, including the residence of the deceased. Personal holdings such as collectible figurines, artwork, jewelry, automobiles, collectible coins, and more may be subject to appraisals. The fees associated with this will depend on the individual appraiser and the type of asset.
Miscellaneous Fees
Every Estate is different, and there will likely be miscellaneous fees relative to your particular Estate. This can include things such as yard maintenance, housekeeping fees, pool and spa maintenance, or care for pets or livestock. There may also be fees for posting a bond, publication fees, or fees for out-of-state assets. Your probate attorney will advise you on what expenses you may have to pay from the Estate assets.
Attorney Fees
With the exception of very small Estates or in a case where the Personal Representative is the sole beneficiary, Florida law requires a probate and estate attorney to oversee probate administration. This means that probate lawyer fees are a normal expense the Estate will incur. The actual amount of Estate planning attorney fees you pay will depend on the size of the Estate.
Florida Probate Attorney Fees
Probate attorney fee structures and costs for handling probate and Trust administration will vary depending on the individual Estate and whether or not there appear to be any disputes with the will or the distribution of assets. Probate law is complicated, and the process can be lengthy.
When you consult with an estate and probate attorney, they will provide you with the probate estate fee. Depending on the size of the Estate, probate attorneys may charge fees based on a percentage of the Estate value or a flat fee. The fee structure will depend on the attorney and the complexity of the case.
Charging a flat fee means that rather than paying a percentage of the Estate, they charge a one-time fee to cover all of their duties. Flat fee rates may work to the attorney’s advantage if it takes them less time than anticipated to complete the Estate. They may also be to your advantage if the probate process takes longer than the attorney’s estimation.
The retainer/fee agreement you sign will specify duties the attorney will perform, what their fee is, and if there are any additional expenses. The attorney fees do not cover incidental expenses such as filing fees, transcription fees, witness fees, and office expenses such as copying and postage.
The Florida Probate Code is complex, including deadlines and rules that you must comply with. Failing to follow these guidelines may result in a delay in administering the Estate, thus increasing costs. For this reason, the probate code includes information on what a reasonable attorney fee is for the handling of probate.
Florida Probate Code
Costs and attorney fees are payable pursuant to Florida Statute § 733.106, which states that any attorney providing services on behalf of an Estate may receive reasonable compensation. It is permissible to pay an attorney representing a Personal Representative from the Estate without a court order. The compensation is reasonable if the amount is based on the inventory value of the estate as follows:
- $1,500 for an estate value of $40,000 or less
- $2,250 for estates having a value between $40,000 but less than $70,000
- $3,000 for estates having a value between $70,000 but less than $100,000
- 3% of the estate’s value for estates between $100,000 up to $900,000
- 5% of the estate’s value for estates above $1 million but less than $3 million
- 2% of the estate’s value for estates above $3 million but less than $5 million
- 5% of the estate’s value for estates above $5 million but less than $10 million
- 1% of the estate’s value for estates above $10 million
The probate attorney may also collect compensation for any extraordinary services they perform. This includes the contesting of a will, auditing of taxes, post mortem tax planning, and preparation of the estate tax return. It may also include the purchase, leasing, or sale of real property and more.
When paying probate lawyer fees, the Court may direct which portion of an Estate must pay those fees. This direction encompasses several factors and includes if a beneficiary created an unjust increase in attorney fees and costs. Because of factors such as this, the Court may determine fees to be paid out of that person’s portion of the Estate only.
If the attorney is administering a Trust, the attorney may request the Court issue an order awarding attorney fees pursuant to Florida Statute §736.1005. As with attorney fees on an Estate, the Court may direct which portion of a Trust the attorney fees be paid from pursuant to Florida Statute §736.1006.
A Probate Attorney Represents the Personal Representative
A Personal Representative is responsible for the administration of an Estate, and by Florida law, they must have a Florida probate attorney to assist and oversee the administration of the Estate. The attorney will advise the Personal Representative of their legal rights and duties. The attorney will also represent the Personal Representative during the probate Court proceedings.
The Estate attorney represents the Personal Representative, not the beneficiaries. The duties of a probate attorney include overseeing the following:
Oversee the General Duties of a Personal Representative
The purpose of probating an Estate is to finalize the affairs of the deceased. The probate attorney must advise and oversee the handling of the Estate by the Personal Representative to ensure procedures are done in accordance with the law. The duties of a Personal Representative include:
- Identify and secure all assets of the Estate
- Identify all creditors of the Estate
- Provide notice of the opening of an Estate to all creditors
- Pay all valid claims made by creditors from the Estate funds
- Object to any invalid claims made by creditors
- File tax returns and pay from the Estate any taxes the decedent or Estate owes
- Pay expenses pertaining to the administration of probate from the Estate funds
- Distribution of Estate assets to beneficiaries
- Closing of the probate Estate
A Personal Representative has a fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries of the Estate. The probate attorney’s position is to assist in the filing of all necessary paperwork. The attorney will also make sure the Personal Representative completes all duties within the appropriate time frame and in the correct manner to comply with legal requirements.
The Personal Representative only distributes assets where the decedent was the sole owner. Those items are subject to probate.
Assets that do not fall under probate include items the decedent held jointly with another person. Other items, such as investments or life insurance policies that list beneficiaries, are paid directly to those persons and do not go through the probate process.
Time to Administer Probate
It will take approximately six (6) months to complete the probate process. Some matters can take twelve (12) months, depending on the specifics of the case. This time frame includes the time for the appointment of the Personal Representative or Executor.
There is a ninety (90) day creditor’s time period, which allows for creditors to respond with claims of debt against the Estate. Once claims are made against the Estate, those debts must be paid from the assets. After the Estate debts are paid in full, the Personal Representative may petition the Court to transfer all remaining assets to the beneficiaries.
The Executor of the Estate must prepare a final accounting of the Estate and then petition the Court for final distribution. Notice of a hearing is sent to all interested parties. The hearing confirms that all creditors are paid and the distribution of assets is complete. The Personal Representative then files a closing statement confirming the completion of all asset distributions.
Selling Real Property
Selling the Estate assets, including real property, may even be necessary to settle Estate debts, pay probate attorney fees, and pay the Personal Representative’s fees. When selling a home during probate, the Court will usually require the following items be provided to the Court:
- Petition the Court for an order of authorization to sell real property
- The petition must have the signatures of both the Personal Representative and attorney and must include a statement that the contract is a fair market price, the sale is an arm’s length transaction and must include the property’s legal description and street address
- A copy of the sales contract
- A copy of the broker’s letter and comparable market analysis or a copy of the appraisal
- Proof that all beneficiaries have receipt of formal notice, without objection or set a hearing with notice unless all residuary beneficiaries provide their consent to the sale
- Submission of a proposed order regarding the sale of the real property or bring the order to a hearing
If the Court finds all information to be sufficient, an order will be issued approving the sale of the property. Once the property is sold, any Estate debts must be paid from the proceeds before the distribution of the remaining assets can be made to the beneficiaries.
Summary Administration
Summary Administration is a process in which an Estate may qualify for an abbreviated probate process. Qualification may be obtained if the Estate has an asset value of less than $75,000, not including a homestead or exempt assets.
The second manner in which an Estate may qualify is if the decedent has been dead in excess of two (2) years. In this circumstance, the Estate no longer needs to pay unsecured creditors. This qualification may apply to an Estate of any size.
To request a Summary Administration, it is necessary to file a petition requesting the Court enter an Order of Distribution for the Estate assets. The Court will issue such an order upon satisfaction that all creditors are in receipt of payment and no debt remains outstanding.
Simplify One Probate Step: Selling the Home
Whether you are a Personal Representative or a probate attorney, it is easy to simplify one step of the probate process by selling the home through RealOfferNow, owned by Harmony Holdings Group. This process allows you to sell the home in “as is” condition without completing any repairs or making upgrades.
RealOfferNow buys the home in any condition and will even assist in moving your contents out of the home. All that is necessary are a few photos and a brief walk-thru. No strangers walking through your home for multiple showings.
We empathize with the emotional weight of losing a loved one and the challenges of navigating probate. When working with RealOfferNow, know that we thoughtfully transform homes acquired through probate with care and compassion while providing a welcoming place for new families to treasure and build their own cherished memories.
Begin your journey with us by completing our online offer form or reaching out to us at (727) 330-2700. Share the details of the probate property you wish to sell, obtain a no-obligation cash offer, finalize the transaction, and swiftly receive the funds, allowing you to move forward with complete peace of mind.
