The cost of probate in Florida depends on the size and complexity of the estate. Florida law allows attorneys to charge a statutory percentage fee based on the gross value of the estate — for example, 3% on the first $1 million in estate value. Additional fees may apply for extraordinary services such as litigation, tax returns, or selling real property. In many cases, proper estate planning — particularly the use of a revocable living trust — can eliminate or significantly reduce probate costs. Contact Fiducia Law for a case-specific estimate.

Florida formal probate administration typically takes between 9 and 18 months, though complex estates or contested matters can take longer. Summary administration, available for smaller qualifying estates, can often be completed in 2 to 4 months. Broward County's probate court processes and local rules affect timing, which is why working with a local Fort Lauderdale probate attorney familiar with that court gives families a practical advantage. Fiducia Law walks every client through a realistic timeline before the process begins.

Whether you need a trust depends on your specific goals, the size of your estate, your family situation, and what you own. A will alone requires probate before assets can be distributed — a public, court-supervised process. A revocable living trust allows assets to transfer privately and immediately upon death, avoiding probate entirely. For Florida homeowners, real estate investors, business owners, or anyone with assets in multiple states, a trust is often the more practical and efficient choice. We help clients make this decision based on facts, not a default recommendation.

If you die without a will in Florida — known as dying intestate — Florida's intestacy laws determine who inherits your assets. In most cases, your estate passes to your closest relatives in a specific legal order. This process still requires probate, can result in outcomes you would not have chosen, and can create serious complications for blended families, unmarried partners, business co-owners, and minor children. Florida courts do not consider personal wishes or informal agreements — only legally executed documents. Having a proper estate plan in place is the only way to ensure your wishes are honored.

A revocable living trust can be changed, amended, or revoked at any time during your lifetime — giving you full control over your assets while avoiding probate at death. An irrevocable trust generally cannot be changed once established and removes assets from your taxable estate, offering stronger asset protection and potential tax benefits. Which type is right for you depends on your goals. Clients focused primarily on probate avoidance and privacy often use revocable trusts. Clients with asset protection, tax planning, or Medicaid planning goals often benefit from one or more irrevocable trust structures.

Yes — and Florida is one of the best states in the country for asset protection planning. Florida law provides strong homestead protections, unlimited exemptions for certain retirement accounts, and favorable LLC statutes that can be used to shield assets from creditors and civil judgments. However, these structures must be established correctly and before any claim arises. Fiducia Law designs comprehensive asset protection plans for Fort Lauderdale business owners, real estate investors, and professionals who want to protect what they have built.

Florida law requires that your executor — called a personal representative — be either a Florida resident or a close family member regardless of residency. The person you choose should be organized, trustworthy, available, and willing to take on the legal and administrative responsibilities of settling an estate. In many cases, a surviving spouse or adult child serves as personal representative. For complex estates, some families choose to appoint a professional fiduciary or a corporate trustee. Fiducia Law advises clients on this decision as part of every estate planning engagement.

Yes. While our office is based in Fort Lauderdale, we serve clients throughout Broward County including Plantation, Davie, Weston, Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, and surrounding communities. For estate planning, probate, and most other services, many client meetings can be conducted by phone or video conference, with in-person signings arranged at our Fort Lauderdale office or a convenient location.