Summary Administration Attorney in Pembroke Pines, FL
Summary Administration helps families settle smaller Florida estates quickly and affordably without the delays of formal probate. At Carol L. Grant, P.A., we guide beneficiaries and personal representatives through this streamlined process across Broward County and Miami-Dade County, often completing cases in weeks instead of months, and you only move forward when the approach makes sense for your situation.
When someone passes away with limited assets, Florida law offers a simpler path. This process skips many of the time-consuming requirements of traditional probate. We help families determine if they qualify, prepare the necessary court filings, and handle the legal steps so you can focus on what matters, honoring your loved one's memory and moving forward.
If you're dealing with an estate valued under $75,000 or the decedent passed away more than two years ago, Summary Administration might be right for you. Call us at (954) 404-8274 to discuss your situation during a free consultation.
Who Needs Summary Administration in Pembroke Pines?
You need Summary Administration if you're handling an estate with assets under $75,000 (excluding homestead property) or if the person died more than two years ago, regardless of estate size. This process works well for families in Pembroke Pines, Davie, Cooper City, and surrounding areas who want to avoid the expense and delay of formal probate.
Common situations include: adult children settling a parent's modest estate, surviving spouses managing retirement accounts and personal property, or families where the only significant asset was a paid-off home. If there are no complicated debts, disputes among heirs, or business interests to untangle, Summary Administration offers a practical solution. Carol evaluates each case individually to confirm this approach fits your circumstances.
What to Expect When Working With Us
Initial Consultation and Eligibility Review
We start by reviewing the estate's assets, debts, and circumstances to confirm Summary Administration is available and appropriate. Carol examines bank statements, property records, and other documentation to ensure you meet Florida's requirements.
Petition Preparation and Filing
Once we confirm eligibility, we prepare the petition for Summary Administration and file it with the probate court. This document identifies the heirs, lists estate assets, and requests the court's approval to distribute property without formal administration.
Court Review and Approval
The court reviews the petition and, if everything is in order, issues an order authorizing distribution. There's typically no need for ongoing court supervision or multiple hearings, just a single order that allows the estate to be settled.
Asset Distribution
With the court's order in hand, we help transfer assets to the rightful beneficiaries according to the will or Florida law. This can include retitling vehicles, closing bank accounts, and recording property deeds.
Benefits of Summary Administration
Faster Resolution
Summary Administration wraps up in weeks rather than the six months to a year that formal probate often requires. Families receive their inheritances sooner and can close this chapter more quickly. When emotions are raw and practical needs are pressing, speed brings relief. You're not waiting months for court dates or approval to access funds needed for final expenses.
Lower Costs
Without the ongoing court supervision, annual accountings, and extended legal fees of formal administration, this process costs significantly less. You pay for petition preparation and filing fees, not months of case management. For families already dealing with funeral costs and other expenses, these savings matter. Carol provides upfront fee quotes so there are no surprises.
Simplified Process
You avoid the complexity of appointing a personal representative, posting bond, filing inventories, and managing creditor claims through formal procedures. The court issues a single order, and distribution can proceed. This means less paperwork, fewer court appearances, and more straightforward communication with beneficiaries. Families appreciate not having to learn probate law while they're grieving.
Privacy Protection
Unlike formal probate, which creates extensive public records of the estate's assets and debts, Summary Administration maintains more privacy. Only basic information becomes part of the court file. For families who value discretion about financial matters, this limited public exposure provides peace of mind.
Common Questions About Summary Administration
What is Summary Administration?
Summary Administration is a simplified probate process for small estates or estates where the decedent died more than two years ago. Instead of the full formal administration process, the court issues a single order authorizing distribution of assets to beneficiaries. This process is faster, less expensive, and requires minimal court supervision compared to formal probate.
Florida created this option specifically for situations where the estate's size or age doesn't justify the time and cost of traditional probate. It's designed to help families settle affairs quickly when there's no need for extended court oversight. The process still provides legal protection and clear title to inherited property, just without the extended timeline.
How do I know if an estate qualifies for Summary Administration?
An estate qualifies for Summary Administration if the total value of property subject to probate is $75,000 or less, not counting homestead property. Alternatively, any estate qualifies if the person died more than two years ago, regardless of value. The estate must not have any creditor claims that require formal administration to resolve.
To determine qualification, we review all assets titled in the decedent's name alone, bank accounts, vehicles, personal property, and non-homestead real estate. We subtract any valid liens or debts directly tied to those assets. Life insurance with named beneficiaries, retirement accounts with beneficiary designations, and jointly owned property typically don't count toward the $75,000 limit because they pass outside of probate. Carol can review your specific situation during a consultation to confirm eligibility.
How long does Summary Administration take?
Summary Administration typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from filing to receiving the court's distribution order. In straightforward cases with cooperative beneficiaries and no title issues, the process can move even faster. Compare this to formal administration, which usually takes 6 to 12 months minimum.
The timeline depends on the court's schedule, how quickly we can gather documentation, and whether all beneficiaries agree to the proposed distribution. Broward County and Miami-Dade County courts handle these petitions relatively quickly since they require minimal judicial review. Once the order is issued, transferring assets to beneficiaries can happen almost immediately.
What assets are included in the $75,000 limit?
The $75,000 limit includes only assets titled solely in the decedent's name that don't have a beneficiary designation. This means checking accounts, savings accounts, vehicles, personal property, and real estate other than the homestead residence count toward the limit. Stocks, bonds, and investment accounts in the decedent's name alone also count.
Assets that don't count include: homestead property (the primary residence), jointly owned property with rights of survivorship, life insurance policies with named beneficiaries, retirement accounts with beneficiaries, payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts, and assets held in a trust. These pass directly to the surviving owner or beneficiary without going through probate. We'll review your complete asset picture to calculate the actual probate estate value.
Do all beneficiaries need to agree to Summary Administration?
Yes, all beneficiaries must consent to Summary Administration in writing for estates under $75,000. If even one beneficiary objects, the court won't approve the petition and you'll need to pursue formal administration instead. For estates where the person died more than two years ago, beneficiary consent isn't required.
This requirement exists to protect everyone's interests. Before filing, we contact all beneficiaries to explain the process, confirm asset values, and obtain their written agreement. Most beneficiaries readily agree once they understand the time and cost savings. If family dynamics are complicated or there's disagreement about asset distribution, we'll discuss whether formal administration might be necessary.
Can Summary Administration be used if there's a will?
Yes, Summary Administration works with or without a will. If the decedent left a valid will, we file it with the petition and the court distributes assets according to the will's terms. If there's no will, distribution follows Florida's intestacy laws, which pass assets to the closest living relatives in a specific order.
The will must still be proven valid, just as in formal probate. Beneficiaries named in the will must agree to the Summary Administration process (for estates under $75,000). Having a will often simplifies things because the decedent's wishes are clear. Without a will, we determine the legal heirs under Florida law and obtain their consent.
What happens to the homestead property in Summary Administration?
Homestead property, the decedent's primary residence, receives special treatment under Florida law and doesn't count toward the $75,000 asset limit. If the decedent was survived by a spouse or minor children, the homestead passes to them automatically regardless of what the will says. For other situations, the homestead can be included in the Summary Administration petition and distributed according to the will or intestacy law.
The homestead protection means families can use Summary Administration even when the home is quite valuable, as long as other probate assets stay under $75,000. We'll review the homestead status, confirm proper title, and include appropriate language in the petition to transfer the property correctly. This protection ensures surviving family members can keep the home without it being counted against the estate size.
How much does Summary Administration cost?
Summary Administration typically costs between $1,500 and $3,000 in attorney fees, plus court filing fees of around $400. This is significantly less than formal administration, which often runs $4,000 to $8,000 or more. The exact cost depends on the estate's complexity, number of assets, and whether any title issues need resolution.
We provide a clear fee quote after reviewing your situation during the initial consultation. There are no surprise charges or hourly billing that runs indefinitely. Most families find the investment worthwhile given how much time and stress it saves. Payment is usually due at the start of the process, though we can discuss your specific circumstances if that presents a challenge.
Areas We Serve in South Florida
Carol L. Grant, P.A. provides Summary Administration services throughout Broward County and Miami-Dade County. We regularly assist families in Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Davie, Cooper City, Miramar, Hollywood, Weston, and Plantation. Our office is conveniently located in Pembroke Pines, and we're familiar with the probate procedures in local courts. Whether you're settling an estate for a loved one who lived nearby or handling affairs from a distance, we make the process as smooth as possible.
Other Probate Attorney Services We Offer
- Formal Administration
- Executor / Personal Representative Support
- Estate Distribution
- Ancillary Probate
- Small Estate Procedures
- Estate Accounting
Schedule Your Summary Administration Discovery Call Today
- Don't let probate uncertainty keep you from moving forward. Summary Administration offers a faster, more affordable path to settling your loved one's estate, and we handle the legal details so you don't have to. Carol L. Grant brings decades of probate experience to every case, ensuring the process moves smoothly from petition to final distribution.
Call (954) 404-8274 today for a free consultation. We'll review your situation, confirm whether Summary Administration is right for you, and provide a clear fee quote. Most families find relief just knowing they have an experienced probate attorney handling the details during this difficult time.