Miami Estate Planning Attorneys

Probate Attorney in West Palm Beach

Estate Administration for Palm Beach County Families & Personal Representatives

When a family member passes, someone has to step forward to manage what comes next. At Almazan Law, Partner and attorney Suzette Reyes assists personal representatives and families with probate and estate administration in West Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach County. Suzette’s practice covers probate administration and estate planning alongside real estate transactions, title disputes, and closing services, which makes her a practical choice when an estate includes real property that needs to be transferred or sold.

Probate administration is the court-supervised process of identifying a decedent’s assets, paying outstanding debts, and distributing property to heirs or named beneficiaries. It’s separate from probate litigation, which involves disputes such as will contests or challenges to a personal representative’s conduct. This page addresses uncontested estate administration.

To speak with a probate lawyer about your estate administration matter, call us at (305) 665-6681. Virtual consultations are available, and we offer services in Spanish.

When an Estate Includes Real Property

Real estate is one of the most common and most complicated assets in a Florida estate. Before property can be transferred to heirs or sold to a buyer, the title often needs to be cleared of outstanding issues tied to the decedent’s ownership. Suzette’s background in title insurance and closing services means she can address those issues as part of the administration process, so families don’t have to bring in a second attorney partway through.

Almazan Law has been involved in more than $2 billion in covered title insurance policy matters across the firm’s broader real estate practice. That depth of real property experience informs how we approach estates where land, a home, or commercial property is among the assets to be administered.

Local Court Context for West Palm Beach Probate

Probate matters for Palm Beach County residents, including those in West Palm Beach, are handled by the Probate Division of Florida’s 15th Judicial Circuit. That division oversees the validity of wills, the appointment of personal representatives, and the distribution of a decedent’s property to heirs. A probate case is generally filed in the Florida county where the decedent was domiciled at the time of death.

Florida Probate Rule 5.030 requires a personal representative in a formal administration case to be represented by an attorney. Summary administration and disposition of personal property without administration may be filed without legal representation, though the procedural requirements can still be difficult to navigate without guidance from a probate lawyer.

Language, Scheduling, & Communication

Settling an estate is demanding work, and we try to make the process as straightforward as possible. Suzette is fluent in English and Spanish, and Almazan Law offers services in Spanish to clients who prefer to communicate in that language. Virtual consultations are available for families who can’t easily come into the office, and we offer flexible scheduling to work around your commitments.

Our approach starts with understanding your specific situation. Every estate is different, and the strategy we bring to yours reflects the people involved, the assets at stake, and the timeline you’re working within.

Talk to a West Palm Beach Probate Lawyer

If you’ve been named as a personal representative or are helping a family navigate an estate, our team can walk you through your options. Almazan Law has been serving Florida clients since 2005. Call (305) 665-6681 to schedule a consultation with Suzette Reyes about your probate and estate administration matter.

Florida’s Three Paths for Estate Administration

Florida law provides three distinct procedures for administering an estate. Which one applies depends on the value of the assets and how long it has been since the decedent passed.

Formal Administration

Formal administration is governed by Florida Statute Chapter 733 and is the most common procedure for estates that don’t qualify for a simplified process. The court appoints a personal representative, who is responsible for managing the estate, settling debts with creditors, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Florida Probate Rule 5.030 requires attorney representation for the personal representative throughout this process.

Summary Administration

Summary administration, governed by Florida Statute Chapter 735, is available when the estate’s value subject to administration (minus exempt property) does not exceed $75,000, or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years. This procedure is faster and less involved than formal administration, and it doesn’t require the appointment of a personal representative.

Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration

This simplified option applies to estates consisting of exempt personal property plus non-exempt property whose net value does not exceed the sum of funeral expenses and the decedent’s last 60 days of medical expenses, up to $20,000 in non-exempt property. It’s the most limited path and is available in narrow circumstances.

What to Expect During Formal Administration in Palm Beach County

For most estates going through formal administration, the timeline in Palm Beach County often runs roughly 12 to 15 months from start to close. Summary administration can often be completed in a matter of weeks. Understanding the key stages helps personal representatives plan ahead.

Filing the petition: The process begins with filing a petition in the Probate Division of the 15th Judicial Circuit, along with the will (if one exists) and supporting documents.
Issuance of Letters of Administration: Once the court appoints a personal representative, it issues Letters of Administration, the document that authorizes the representative to act on behalf of the estate.
Notice to creditors: Formal administration requires a creditor claims period of three months from the first publication of the notice to creditors, during which creditors may file claims against the estate. The personal representative must evaluate and respond to any claims filed.
Inventory and asset management: The personal representative identifies, values, and manages estate assets, which may include real property, financial accounts, and personal property.
Petition for discharge: A personal representative must file a Petition for Discharge within 12 months from the issuance of Letters of Administration. The court reviews the accounting and, if satisfied, issues an order closing the estate.

If the estate includes real property in West Palm Beach or elsewhere in Palm Beach County, title clearance and any required closing steps are typically handled during the asset management phase. Having a probate attorney whose practice also covers real estate transactions can help streamline that part of the process.

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