Florida Just Made Probate Faster For A Lot More Families

Every few years, the Florida legislature quietly rewrites a number that ends up mattering a great deal to grieving families, and this year it doubled one. As of July 1, 2026, an estate that would have needed the full, months-long probate process now has a real shot at qualifying for Florida’s shortened alternative, simply because the dollar threshold moved. If a loved one has passed away and you have been dreading a long slog through probate court, contact an Orlando probate lawyer, because the estate you are dealing with may qualify for something much faster than you think.

What Actually Changed

Florida offers two paths through probate. Formal administration is the process most people picture: a court-appointed personal representative, a creditor claims period, and a timeline that often runs six months to a year or longer. Summary administration is the shortcut, available for smaller estates or ones where the person has been gone more than two years, and it can wrap up in a matter of weeks. Until this year, summary administration was only available if the estate’s non-exempt assets totaled $75,000 or less. As of July 1, 2026, that number is $150,000.

Why This Actually Helps More Families Than It Sounds Like

A lot of people assume their loved one’s estate is too large for the simplified process, but the $150,000 cap does not count everything. The homestead, up to two vehicles, and certain household furnishings are excluded from the calculation, along with assets that never enter probate at all, like retirement accounts with named beneficiaries or property held jointly with rights of survivorship. Once those exclusions are applied, an estate that looks well over the line on paper can end up qualifying without much trouble, which is exactly the kind of question an Orlando probate lawyer can answer in a single conversation.

There Is a Catch on Timing

The new $150,000 threshold only applies to people who died on or after July 1, 2026. If your loved one passed away before that date, the old $75,000 limit still governs their estate, regardless of when you get around to filing. That distinction catches families off guard more than almost anything else in this process, and it is worth confirming before you assume which set of rules applies.

Contact Gierach and Gierach About Your Options

A law changing overnight does not mean your paperwork changes itself. If you are not sure whether an estate qualifies, or whether summary administration is even the right move for your family’s situation, the Orlando probate attorneys at Gierach and Gierach, P.A. can walk you through it. We have guided Central Florida families through both formal and summary administration for decades, and we would be glad to look at your specific numbers. Give our office a call to get started.

Source:

flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/735.201