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How Much Does Probate Cost in Florida: Complete 2026 Fee Guide
Florida Probate Law Group charges a flat fee of $3,500 for uncontested Summary Administration and $6,655 for uncontested Formal Administration, covering attorney and staff time, filing fees, publication, and domestic mailing. Below is every cost category, and how flat fees compare to hourly billing and Florida’s statutory fee schedule.
Court Filing Fees
Florida’s statutory base filing fees are $230, $340, and $395, with county clerks adding authorized charges on top, so actual amounts run about $235 to $405 statewide. This cost is already built into Florida Probate Law Group’s flat fee.
| Filing Type | Typical Clerk Charge |
|---|---|
| Summary Administration, estate under $1,000 | approximately $235 |
| Summary Administration, estate of $1,000 or more | approximately $345 |
| Formal Administration | approximately $400 |
Attorney Fees: Hourly vs. Flat Fee vs. Statutory
Florida probate attorneys bill by the hour, through a flat fee, or under the statutory schedule. The table below compares all three for a $300,000 estate in Formal Administration.
| Billing Method | How It’s Calculated | Example Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly billing | 30 illustrative hours at $350 to $600 per hour | $10,500 to $18,000 |
| FPLG flat fee | Fixed rate for uncontested Formal Administration | $6,655 |
| Statutory presumed-reasonable fee | 3% of the estate value between $100,000 and $1 million (F.S. 733.6171) | $9,000 |
Hourly Billing
Florida probate firms may charge approximately $350 to $600 per hour. Florida Probate Law Group does not bill hourly for uncontested matters, so the table below is a mathematical illustration, not a time estimate; attorney hours vary too much by creditor issues, real estate, and disputes to state a reliable average.
| Illustrative Billed Time | At $350/hour | At $600/hour |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | $7,000 | $12,000 |
| 30 hours | $10,500 | $18,000 |
| 40 hours | $14,000 | $24,000 |
Florida’s Statutory Presumed-Reasonable Fee Schedule
Florida Statute 733.6171 sets a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for ordinary attorney services in Formal Administration. It is not mandatory: fees are negotiable and a percentage-based fee may not fit every estate, though extraordinary services can justify additional compensation.
- $1,500 for estates valued at $40,000 or less
- An additional $750 for estates over $40,000 through $70,000
- An additional $750 for estates over $70,000 through $100,000
- 3% of the amount over $100,000 through $1 million
- 2.5% of the amount over $1 million through $3 million
- 2% of the amount over $3 million through $5 million
- 1.5% of the amount over $5 million through $10 million
- 1% of the amount over $10 million
How Flat-Fee Pricing Can Save Money
The $6,655 flat fee stays constant while the statutory fee rises with estate value, so it becomes lower than the statutory benchmark once an estate is worth about $221,833. Below that threshold, the statutory calculation can come in lower.
| Estate Value | Statutory Presumed-Reasonable Fee | FPLG Flat Fee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $3,000 | $6,655 | flat fee costs $3,655 more |
| $150,000 | $4,500 | $6,655 | flat fee costs $2,155 more |
| $250,000 | $7,500 | $6,655 | flat fee saves $845 |
| $300,000 | $9,000 | $6,655 | flat fee saves $2,345 |
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $6,655 | flat fee saves $8,345 |
| $1,000,000 | $30,000 | $6,655 | flat fee saves $23,345 |
The gap widens further since the flat fee already includes filing fees and publication, which the statutory calculation does not cover. Flat-fee pricing can save money, particularly on larger estates, but it does not automatically cost less in every case. See the full flat-fee probate pricing.
Personal Representative Fees
For ordinary services in Formal Administration, Florida law presumes a commission of 3% of the first $1 million, 2.5% up to $5 million, 2% up to $10 million, and 1.5% above that. A representative can waive it, and a court can adjust it. Summary Administration generally skips this appointment, so the fee usually does not apply there.
Appraisal Costs
Florida has no fixed probate appraisal fee. A standard residential appraisal generally runs $300 to $1,000, averaging near $316 for a home or condo, while commercial appraisals run $1,500 to $2,500. Unusual property, businesses, and collectibles need a separate quote.
Bond Costs
A probate bond is not required in every estate. When a court does require one, it sets the amount based on the estate’s assets, creditors, and risk factors. Premiums commonly run 0.5% to 1% of the bond amount per year depending on credit, so a $50,000 bond might cost $275 to $500 annually.
Publication Costs
Notice-to-creditors publication generally costs around $250, depending on the newspaper and county.
What the Flat Fee Includes, and What It Doesn’t
The flat fee includes attorney and staff time, the court filing fee, required legal publication, and domestic mail. It does not include bond premiums, appraisals, tax prep, accountants, expert witnesses, or property maintenance, which are billed separately when they apply. The firm does not bill hourly for uncontested matters; contested cases may be handled differently.
Choosing Between Summary and Formal Administration
Florida raised the Summary Administration threshold from $75,000 to $150,000, effective July 1, 2026. Estates at or below that value, excluding exempt homestead property, generally qualify for the lower-cost Summary Administration; larger estates typically require Formal Administration. See the Complete Guide to Florida Probate for a full walkthrough.
Ready to find out which flat fee applies to your situation? Contact Florida Probate Law Group for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does probate cost in Florida?
It depends on the estate and procedure. Florida Probate Law Group’s flat fee is $3,500 for uncontested Summary Administration and $6,655 for uncontested Formal Administration, including filing fees, publication, and mailing.
What is included in the flat fee?
Attorney and staff time, the court filing fee, required legal publication, and regular or certified mail within the United States. Bond premiums, appraisals, and tax prep are billed separately unless confirmed otherwise.
Is Florida’s statutory attorney fee schedule mandatory?
No. F.S. 733.6171 sets a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for ordinary services in Formal Administration, but fees are negotiable and the percentage schedule may not fit every estate.
How much are Florida probate court filing fees?
Generally $235 to $405, depending on the county and whether the estate qualifies for Summary or Formal Administration.
Do I need a probate bond in Florida?
Not every estate requires one. When a court orders a bond, the premium typically runs 0.5% to 1% of the bond amount per year, so a $50,000 bond might cost $275 to $500 annually.
How much does a probate appraisal cost?
A standard residential appraisal generally costs $300 to $1,000; commercial property runs $1,500 to $2,500. Unusual assets need a separate quote, but appraisals are not usually needed in uncontested probate matters.
What’s the difference between Summary and Formal Administration costs?
Summary Administration applies to smaller, uncontested estates and skips appointing a personal representative. Formal Administration applies to larger or more complex estates and involves an appointed representative with statutory duties.
Is a flat-fee probate attorney cheaper than hourly billing?
It can be, especially on larger estates. At $1 million, the statutory benchmark is $30,000 versus a $6,655 flat fee, a gap of $23,345.
How much does a personal representative get paid in Florida?
For ordinary services in Formal Administration, Florida law presumes 3% of the first $1 million, with lower percentages above that. A personal representative can waive some or all of it.