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summary administration

What is summary administration in Florida?

By Estate Planning, Probate

Summary administration is a form of probate which is generally less time-intensive and less expensive than a full probate. Pursuant to the Florida Probate Code, the following conditions must be met for an estate to qualify for summary administration:

  • The gross value of the probate estate does not exceed $75,000, or
  • The decedent has been dead less than two years

If the Will does not include a direct instruction to conduct a formal probate, a petition with the court may be filed requesting summary administration, if either of the two factors above apply to the situation. This petition can be filed by any beneficiary of the Will or any individual nominated to serve as personal representative in the Will, and it must be signed or joined in by the surviving spouse (if any). If the court accepts the petition, it may order the assets to be immediately distributed to the designated beneficiaries, presuming all creditors have been paid or will be paid.

For guidance through the probate process and for assistance drafting a petition for summary administration, contact the elder law and trust & estate attorneys of Bach, Jacobs & Byrne, P.A. at (941) 906-1231.

What is summary ancillary administration?

By Probate

Summary ancillary administration is a type of ancillary probate in Florida (as a reminder, ancillary probates are generally necessary when a nonresident of Florida dies leaving real property in Florida). As defined in the Florida Probate Code, to qualify for this form of ancillary probate, the following criteria must be met:

  • The decedent had a Will
  • The decedent was not a resident of Florida
  • The decedent died less than two years ago
  • The decedent’s assets have a gross value of no more than $50,000
  • The personal representative was appointed by an out-of-state court
  • The pleadings from the foreign state probate court are available to be filed in a Florida court

In a summary ancillary administration, it is not necessary for a Florida personal representative to be appointed. However, the personal representative from out of state may file the transcript of the original probate proceedings with the Florida circuit court of the county where the decedent’s property remains, and he/she may also publish a notice of administration to all creditors and interested parties of the decedent’s Florida assets.

If you are a personal representative in need of probate guidance, the highly-skilled and experienced attorneys of Bach, Jacobs & Byrne, P.A. are here to assist you. Call us at (941) 906-1231 to set up an appointment.