Doral Probate Lawyer: Expert Estate Administration in the 11th Circuit

Florida Probate Law Group has helped thousands of families through the probate process on an affordable flat fee basis since 2014. Navigating an estate in Doral – from the luxury golf villas near Trump National Doral and the modern residences of Downtown Doral to the exclusive gated communities of Doral Isles and Island at Doral – requires an elite legal team capable of navigating the resource-strained and highly technical probate system of Miami-Dade County. Our firm’s commitment to efficiency and transparency is backed by hundreds of 5-star Google reviews from families who have seen us successfully clear the administrative hurdles that often stall other South Florida attorneys for months.

For a detailed walkthrough of the legal steps involved, read our Complete Guide to Florida Probate and our specific Miami-Dade County Probate Guide.

Strategic Litigation Experience: Protecting Doral Heirs

The key to a smooth uncontested probate in the 11th Circuit is having a lawyer who understands exactly how contested probates work. Founding partner Charles “Cary” David has extensive experience in high-stakes litigation, famously representing eighteen family members in the multi-million dollar Bo Diddley trust litigation to restore the icon’s legacy. Cary has also managed numerous multi-million dollar probate disputes involving high-value residential and commercial interests throughout Florida.

This litigation background provides a massive advantage for our uncontested probate clients in Doral:

• Litigation-Proofing the Estate: We identify “red flags” – such as vague Will provisions or complex “non-exempt” asset definitions – during the first week. We draft petitions so precisely that they discourage challenges from disgruntled relatives or aggressive creditors.
• Aggressive Creditor Defense: High-value Doral estates often attract sophisticated creditors. Our litigation experience allows us to negotiate medical, consumer, or tax debt from a position of strength, often settling for pennies on the dollar.
• Avoiding Administrative Pitfalls: Combined with founding partner R. Nadine David’s experience as a former Probate Court Staff Attorney, we know exactly what the judges look for in a perfect filing. We move cases quickly because our filings are “judge-ready” and beyond reproach.

All-Inclusive Flat Fees: Significant Savings for Large Estates

In Doral, where home values frequently reach into the millions, the traditional way Florida attorneys charge can be predatory. Under Florida Statute 733.6171, lawyers are permitted to charge a “presumed reasonable” fee based on a percentage of the estate value (usually 3%). For a $3,000,000 Doral estate, a percentage-based firm might charge $90,000 for a routine probate.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we reject this model. As of 2026, our flat-fee prices for uncontested probate cases are:

• Summary Estate Administration: $3,500
• Formal Estate Administration: $6,655

These fees include all court filing costs, legal publications, and certified mailings within the United States. Our flat fees equal huge savings for large estates, ensuring that the wealth built in Doral stays with the heirs, not the law firm.

Overcoming the Miami-Dade Bottleneck: 2026 Expert Coordination

Miami-Dade County is home to over 2.7 million residents, making the 11th Judicial Circuit the busiest and most understaffed court system in Florida. In 2026, the probate system faces significant administrative delays. Our expertise allows us to navigate these challenging dynamics through strict adherence to local mandates:

• Smart Form Precision: We utilize mandatory Miami-Dade Probate Smart Forms. Judges often refuse to sign orders that do not utilize these interactive, data-coded documents.
• Compliance with AO 22-02: Per Administrative Order 22-02, all proposed orders must include specific Docket Index Numbers beneath the title. Failure to follow this requirement results in immediate rejection by the Clerk.
• Judicial Familiarity: We understand the exact expectations of the Miami-Dade probate bench, including Administrative Judge Bertila Soto, Associate Administrative Judge Maria De Jesus Santovenia (appointed per Administrative Order No. 25-18), and judges in the newly created Section PMH 07 (established by Administrative Order No. 25-03).

100% Remote Probate: Serving Doral from Anywhere

Whether you are an out-of-state heir or are currently in Doral, probate administration can be completed remotely without ever coming to court or to our office physically.

1. Virtual Consultations: Connect with our team via secure video conferencing from anywhere in the world.
2. Digital Signature Integration: Execute all necessary petitions and oaths via secure electronic signature, compliant with Florida’s 2026 digital standards.
3. Physical Document Management: We manage the physical deposit of the original Will at the Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center at 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128.
4. Virtual Representation: We handle all appearances before the 11th Circuit bench on your behalf, navigating the backlog so you don’t have to.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a “Restricted Depository” in Miami-Dade? To protect cash assets in an understaffed system, Miami judges often require funds to be held in a Restricted Depository under Florida Statute 69.031. This account protects the assets by requiring a court order for any withdrawal.

What counts as a “non-exempt” asset in a Doral estate? In Florida, “exempt” assets – most notably a protected Florida Homestead – do not count toward the threshold for Summary Administration. This means an estate can include a high-value home in Doral and still qualify for the faster Summary process if the remaining liquid assets (bank accounts, stocks) are below $75,000. Learn more from the Florida Bar’s Consumer Pamphlet.

Where do I file the original Will for a Doral resident? Under Florida Statute 732.901, the original Will must be delivered to the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court, led by Juan Fernandez-Barquin, Esq., within 10 days of notification of death.

Secure Your Family’s Doral Legacy

At Florida Probate Law Group, we treat your family’s legacy with the respect it deserves. We handle the technicalities of the Miami-Dade court system so you can focus on your family.