If you have been appointed to act as the personal representative of the estate of a deceased loved one in Florida, there are many things you will need to take into account and various Florida probate fees you will need to pay. 

The main fee you will need to pay is the probate attorney’s fee. However, there are many other additional costs associated with the Florida probate process, and they can add up astonishingly quickly. Florida probate fees are unavoidable, so knowing what to expect before going into the probate process can help you and your probate attorney determine whether the assets in your loved one’s estate are enough to cover these fees.

Read on to learn what personal representatives need to know about Florida probate fees so you know what to expect.

Reasonable Attorney Fee

Under Florida probate law, any fees a probate attorney charges must be reasonable. If a court deems a particular attorney’s fee not reasonable, it can reduce how much the decedent’s estate will have to pay for legal costs. This is important to keep in mind when hiring a probate attorney to help you administer the decedent’s estate, as any amount you agree to pay for their services will have to come from the estate, reducing the amount the beneficiaries will receive once the assets are distributed.

To help prevent situations where a probate attorney’s fees are unreasonable, Florida law establishes what is considered reasonable compensation for legal representation based on the total value of a decedent’s estate. It is important to note that the compensable value of a decedent’s estate in Florida does not include the value of homestead property as well as certain types of personal property.

Additional Florida Probate Fees

To allow your case to move forward, you will need to pay certain additional fees, including:

  • Filing fees
  • Certified postage fee
  • Publication of notices to beneficiaries as well as creditors in local newspapers
  • Final income tax
  • Property assessments

If you paid any attorney fees upfront with your own money, you might be entitled to compensation. Under the Florida statutes, you can receive this money from your loved one’s estate without having to file a petition in court. The only time a personal representative would not be able to receive reimbursement of this expense is in cases where the decedent’s estate only has exempt assets.

If a decedent’s family members decide to contest the decedent’s final directives or the validity of their will, the associated fees will increase significantly. Having an experienced Florida probate attorney by your side can help prevent harmful disputes from arising and advise you on minimizing probate costs. If you will act as the personal representative of a loved one’s estate, give Attorney Romy B. Jurado a call today.

The Florida Probate Process Is Complex, Lengthy, and Expensive, So Make Sure You Work with Experts

Taking on the court-supervised administration of a decedent’s estate can be overwhelmingly challenging, as the process is time-consuming, expensive, and mentally and emotionally draining. Trying to navigate the complexities of the Florida probate process when you are still trying to deal with the loss of a loved one can be nearly impossible sometimes. Fortunately, you do not have to do it alone. In fact, you should not even consider doing it alone. Let skilled Florida Probate Attorney Romy B. Jurado guide you, take this burden off your shoulders, and support you in determining the best approach for your specific circumstances.

Get in touch today by calling (305) 921-0976 or by emailing [email protected] to schedule an initial consultation.

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