Probate Avoidance · Florida

Probate Avoidance & Planning in Florida

Florida probate can be time-consuming, public, and costly. With the right planning, much of it can be avoided — giving your family a simpler path forward.

What is probate?

The court process for settling an estate

Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will, paying debts, and transferring assets to heirs. In Florida, a personal representative is generally required to be represented by an attorney, and formal administration often takes months.

Assets that pass by beneficiary designation, joint ownership with survivorship rights, or a funded trust generally avoid probate.

Tools that can help avoid probate

Own property in another state?

Avoid a second probate

Real estate in another state can require a separate “ancillary” probate there. Holding out-of-state property in a revocable trust can help avoid it. Out-of-state real property work is quoted separately.

Just the deed?

A stand-alone Lady Bird Deed is $495 plus recording charges. A quitclaim or estate-planning deed is $395 plus recording charges.

Flat-fee options

Included in every Accord estate plan

Flat-fee packages from $895.

Accord Essentials™

$895 / $1,395

Individual / couple. Will, powers of attorney, and health care documents.

Probate Avoidance FAQs

Does a living trust avoid probate in Florida?

Yes, for assets that are properly titled in the trust or name it as beneficiary. Assets left outside the trust may still require probate.

What is a Lady Bird deed?

An enhanced life estate deed lets you keep full control of your Florida property during your lifetime — including the right to sell or mortgage it — and passes it directly to the people you name at death, without probate.

How long does probate take in Florida?

It varies. Summary administration for smaller estates can be relatively quick, while formal administration commonly takes several months or longer.

Is joint ownership a good way to avoid probate?

It can be, but it can also expose the property to the other owner’s creditors and make it harder to change your plan. We’ll help you weigh the options.

Give your family a simpler path

Probate-avoidance planning with flat fees you know upfront.

Start Online Schedule a Free 15-Minute Assessment

Prefer to talk? Call (352) 434-0222 or text us — after-hours messages are answered the next business day.

Published flat fees apply to standard Florida estate-planning matters. Advanced planning, complex asset structures, and other matters outside the stated package scope are quoted separately after attorney review. Government recording charges are separate. This page is general information, not legal advice. Contacting Accord Law Florida does not create an attorney-client relationship.