Statewide Probate
Attorneys in Florida
Attorneys in Florida
Deerfield Beach Probate Lawyer: Expert Flat-Fee Estate Administration in Broward County
Most of the estates we open for Deerfield Beach families look alike in one telling way: the person who died spent their retirement years here, and the heirs are scattered somewhere else. A daughter in Ohio. A son who splits the year between New Jersey and a condo two buildings over. A surviving spouse who no longer drives. That pattern shapes how a Deerfield Beach probate case should be run, and it is exactly what a Broward County probate attorney needs to plan for from day one.
Florida Probate Law Group handles probate and estate administration for Deerfield Beach and the surrounding Broward communities through the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. We work on flat fees, file everything electronically, and run the entire case remotely, so no one has to drive down Federal Highway to a courthouse counter. Below is what to expect, what it costs, and how the 17th Circuit actually processes a case.
Why Deerfield Beach Families Choose Florida Probate Law Group
Deerfield Beach sits at the northern edge of Broward County, tucked between Pompano Beach to the south and Boca Raton just across the Palm Beach County line. It is a city of roughly 86,000 people with a large retiree and seasonal population, which means a steady share of estates here involve oceanfront condos, 55-plus community homes near Quiet Waters Park, and beneficiaries who live nowhere near the Deerfield Beach Pier.
We built our practice around that reality. Our attorneys come from a court-staff background, so we know the forms, the notices, and the procedural habits of the 17th Circuit before a case is even filed. That is different from a general practitioner who handles a probate now and then between real estate closings and traffic matters.
Two things matter most to the families we serve here: knowing the cost in advance and not having to be physically present. We deliver both. If you want the broader background first, our complete guide to Florida probate walks through every step in plain language.
The Probate Process in Broward County
Every Deerfield Beach probate runs through the Broward County Probate Division of the 17th Judicial Circuit. Petitions are filed electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; the 17th Circuit does not accept paper filings from attorneys. The court also uses Mandatory Smart Forms, which reject submissions that leave required fields blank, so accuracy on the first pass saves weeks.
A typical case moves in this order:
- Open the estate. We file the petition for administration, deposit the original will if there is one, and ask the court to appoint the personal representative.
- Letters of administration. Once appointed, the personal representative gets legal authority to act for the estate, including dealing with banks, title companies, and the condo association.
- Notice to creditors. For formal administration, a notice is published and known creditors are served, opening the claim period.
- Inventory and homestead. We file the inventory and, where it applies, ask the court to determine that the Deerfield Beach residence is protected homestead.
- Distribution and closing. After valid claims are addressed, assets pass to the heirs and the estate is closed.
Want the deeper version of these steps written specifically for executors? Our Florida probate FAQ covers the questions personal representatives ask most.
Our Flat-Fee Advantage
Many South Florida firms still bill probate as a percentage of the estate. On a Deerfield Beach oceanfront condo, that approach can turn a routine case into a five-figure legal bill for the same work. We do not do that.
Our fee for summary administration is a flat $3,500 in Deerfield Beach and throughout Broward County. Formal administration is flat $6,655, quoted up front based on the estate, not on a sliding percentage. You see the number before we start, and it does not climb because the property happens to be near the water. The reasoning behind that model is laid out on our flat-fee probate page.
Types of Probate We Handle
Not every Deerfield Beach estate needs the full formal process. Matching the case to the right procedure is where money and months get saved.
Summary Administration
Available when the non-exempt assets total $75,000 or less, or when the person has been deceased for more than two years. Because Florida homestead does not count toward that limit, a surprising number of Deerfield Beach estates qualify even when a condo is involved. This is the fastest, lowest-cost path.
Formal Administration
The standard process for larger estates or those needing an appointed personal representative to manage assets, pay creditors, and sell property. Most Deerfield Beach estates with an active brokerage account or a home being sold fall here.
Ancillary Administration
For snowbirds and part-year residents. If someone domiciled in another state owned a Deerfield Beach condo, Florida still requires a proceeding to transfer that property. We handle these regularly for families who never expected to deal with a second state’s court.
Broward County Probate Court Information
Deerfield Beach probate cases are administered here:
- Court: 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County Probate Division
- Location: Broward County Judicial Complex, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Probate phone: (954) 831-6565
- Filing: Electronic only, through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The courthouse is about a 25-minute drive south of Deerfield Beach, but our clients rarely make that trip. The 17th Circuit’s digital calendar and virtual hearings let us run the case without anyone leaving home. For court rules, deadlines, and division contacts specific to the county, see the Broward County probate court guide.
Because Deerfield Beach borders Palm Beach County, some families own property on both sides of the line. If part of the estate sits in Boca Raton, that piece may be handled by the 15th Circuit instead; our Boca Raton probate lawyer page explains how the neighboring court works.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Deerfield Beach probate attorney cost?
We charge a flat $3,500 for summary administration and flat $6,655 for formal administration in Deerfield Beach and across Broward County. You know the price before any work begins, with no percentage of the estate taken as a fee.
Which court handles Deerfield Beach probate cases?
The 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Broward County Probate Division, at the Broward County Judicial Complex, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The main probate line is (954) 831-6565.
Do I have to travel to Fort Lauderdale to handle a Deerfield Beach estate?
No. The 17th Circuit runs a fully electronic filing and virtual hearing system. We handle the entire case remotely, which matters for the many Deerfield Beach families whose heirs live out of state or split the year between Florida and another home.
Does a Deerfield Beach condo count toward the summary administration limit?
It depends on whether the condo qualifies as protected Florida homestead. Homestead property does not count toward the $75,000 non-exempt asset cap, so many estates that look too large at first still qualify once the homestead is set aside.
What if the person who died was a snowbird or part-year resident?
Florida probate follows where the person was domiciled and where their property sits. If a Deerfield Beach condo was owned by someone domiciled in another state, Florida usually requires an ancillary administration to transfer it. We handle ancillary cases routinely.
How long does Deerfield Beach probate take?
Summary administration in Broward County usually takes about 2 to 3 months from filing when paperwork is complete and no disputes arise. Formal administration generally runs 6 to 9 months because of the creditor period and added reporting.
Do I need a lawyer for Deerfield Beach probate?
For formal administration, yes. Florida law requires a personal representative to be represented by an attorney. Summary administration can technically be filed without counsel, but the 17th Circuit’s Smart Form requirements make self-filing slow and error-prone.
What happens to a Deerfield Beach estate when there is no will?
The estate passes under Florida’s intestacy statutes, which set a fixed order: surviving spouse, then children, then more distant relatives. Homestead and family allowance protections still apply, so a surviving spouse is rarely left with nothing.
Can creditors take a retiree’s entire Deerfield Beach estate?
Usually not. Florida protects the homestead, a $20,000 family allowance, a $1,000 personal property exemption, and assets like life insurance and retirement accounts with named beneficiaries. A well-run probate uses these protections to preserve as much as possible for heirs.
How do I start probate for a Deerfield Beach estate?
Begin with a free consultation. We review the assets, whether there is a will, the estate value, and the heirs, then tell you which type of probate applies and the flat fee. Call (352) 354-2654 or send our contact form to start.
Speak With a Deerfield Beach Probate Attorney Today
Flat-fee pricing, 100% remote service through the 17th Judicial Circuit, and a free consultation. Call (352) 354-2654 or reach us through our contact form.