Most common · 2026 reform doubled the threshold to $150k

Summary Administration

Estates under $150k or 2+ years old. The fast, cheap path.

Summary administration is the fast, affordable path through Florida probate. It exists for two situations: estates with non-exempt assets under $150,000 (for deaths on or after July 1, 2026 — the threshold for earlier deaths is the prior $75,000 cap), and estates where the person passed away more than two years ago, regardless of size.

If you qualify, you skip most of what makes formal probate slow. There's no personal representative appointed, no formal accounting, no creditor publication period to wait through. We file one petition, the court signs an order distributing the assets, and the estate is closed. Three signatures, one filing, six to ten weeks — done.

The reason most people don't know they qualify: the threshold used to be $75k. The 2026 reform (CS/HB 1337, ch. 2026-57) raised it to $150k for deaths on or after July 1, 2026. Thousands more Florida estates will qualify going forward, and most attorneys haven't updated their intake yet. Run our calculator if you want a 30-second answer.

The fit

Who qualifies

Non-exempt estate value (excluding the homestead) is under $150,000 (for deaths on or after July 1, 2026; under $75,000 for earlier deaths)
OR the person passed away more than two years ago (any estate size)
Florida resident at the time of death (otherwise see ancillary administration)
All beneficiaries can be located and agree to sign the petition
No active creditor disputes that need formal litigation

The work

What we handle

Your flat fee covers everything below. No surprise invoices, no “billable hours” anxiety — the price is the price.

Verify eligibility against the $150k threshold and exempt-asset rules
Draft and file the Petition for Summary Administration
Notice to creditors (published only if required by your facts)
Order of Summary Administration — the court order that moves title
Title transfers: real estate (deed recording), vehicles, bank/brokerage accounts
Final distribution receipts from each beneficiary
Closing letter so you have a clean paper trail for the IRS, banks, and your records

The process

How it works, step by step

01
20-minute call to confirm fit
We listen first. You tell us what happened, what assets are involved, and how long ago. Most calls end with a clear answer on whether summary fits — and what it'll cost.
We handleFree, no obligation. A real person picks up — usually Rachel herself.
02
Engagement & document gathering
You sign the engagement letter electronically. We send a checklist of what to gather — death certificate, will (if any), asset list, beneficiary contacts. Most clients send everything within a week.
We handleEncrypted upload portal. We text you a link, you upload from your phone, we confirm receipt within the day.
03
We draft the petition + supporting docs
Petition for Summary Administration, beneficiary affidavits, proof of death, schedules of assets. You see drafts before anything is filed.
We handleDrafts back to you within 5–7 business days. You sign electronically. We file.
04
Court reviews & signs the order
Most Florida probate divisions process summary petitions in 4–8 weeks. Some counties (Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas) move faster. We track the docket and update you weekly.
We handleStatus updates by SMS. You hear from us before you wonder.
05
Distribute assets, close the estate
Once the order is signed, we record it where needed (real estate), and walk you through transferring titles, closing accounts, and getting beneficiary signatures on receipts.
We handleWe handle title companies and banks directly when we can — fewer phone trees for you.

The pitfalls

What we watch for

Easy on people, tough on problems. These are the things that catch families off guard — we've seen them all and we plan around them.

Misvaluing the homestead. The Florida homestead is exempt and doesn't count toward the $150k threshold — but you have to file a Petition to Determine Homestead to lock that protection in. We add this as a $400 add-on when needed.
Forgotten safe-deposit boxes or out-of-state assets. Anything we miss can force a re-opening of the estate later. Our intake checklist catches the common misses.
Disagreeing beneficiaries. Summary requires all beneficiaries to sign the petition. If anyone refuses, we usually need to convert to formal administration. We'll spot this on the consult call.
Last-minute creditor claims. If a creditor surfaces during the petition window, we may need to address them before the order issues. Rare, but it happens.

The FAQ

Questions families ask us

How is the new $150,000 threshold different from the old one?+−

Before July 1, 2026, summary administration was capped at $75,000. The Florida legislature doubled the limit to $150,000 in CS/HB 1337, chapter 2026-57 — but the new threshold only applies to deaths on or after July 1, 2026. For deaths before that date, the old $75,000 cap still controls. For qualifying deaths, summary saves roughly $1,000 in attorney fees plus 4–6 months of timeline vs. formal administration.

Does the homestead count toward the $150k limit?+−

No. The Florida homestead is exempt and doesn't count toward the threshold. Same with other exempt property (household furnishings up to $20k, two vehicles for personal use). When we run your numbers, we strip exempt assets out first.

What if it's been more than two years since the death?+−

Then you qualify for summary administration regardless of estate size. The two-year creditor window has closed by statute, so creditor publication isn't required, and the small-estate threshold doesn't apply. This is often the cheapest path for older estates that were never opened.

Do we need to publish notice to creditors?+−

Sometimes. If the estate is under the $150k threshold AND less than two years old, we usually need to publish a notice and wait the statutory creditor period. If it's been more than two years, no publication needed. We figure out which path applies during the consult.

Can an out-of-state heir sign the petition remotely?+−

Yes. Everything signs electronically through our e-sign portal. We've handled summary administrations where every beneficiary lived in a different state. The only person who has to be in Florida is the attorney — that's us.

What happens if a beneficiary won't cooperate?+−

Summary administration requires consent from every beneficiary entitled to a share. If one refuses to sign, the path closes and we usually convert to formal administration. We'll spot this on the consult call and tell you up front — no surprise pivot mid-case.

— From Rachel

If summary administration fits your situation, you probably don't need to call anyone tonight. Run the calculator, read this page, sleep on it. When you're ready, the consult is free and we'll tell you exactly what's next — no sales pitch, no pressure. Yours will close cleanly too.