When a loved one dies in Florida, the people named to inherit often wait months without a clear answer about when money or property will actually reach them. Our West Palm Beach probate practice is built around that waiting period. We represent beneficiaries, devisees, and heirs who have been told they will receive a distribution but have not yet seen it, and we work to move the estate through Florida’s probate system so the final share can be paid.
Why Beneficiaries Wait in Florida
Florida probate is governed by the Florida Probate Code, Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes. Before a personal representative can distribute assets, the estate must usually be opened, creditors must be given notice, the statutory creditor period must run, valid claims and expenses must be paid, and the court must approve the accounting. Each of these steps protects the estate, but each one also delays the moment a beneficiary receives a check. Understanding where an estate sits in this sequence is the first step toward knowing how long the wait should last.
Formal and Summary Administration
Most full-value Florida estates proceed through formal administration, in which the court appoints a personal representative who gathers assets, addresses creditors, and distributes the remainder. Smaller estates may qualify for summary administration when the value of the non-exempt estate is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years. Summary administration can reach beneficiaries faster, and we evaluate which path fits each estate so you are not waiting through a longer process than the law requires.
Issues That Affect What You Receive
Several Florida-specific rules can change a beneficiary’s share. Homestead property passes outside the probate estate under Article X of the Florida Constitution and is protected from most creditors. A surviving spouse may claim an elective share of thirty percent of the elective estate under Florida Statutes section 732.2065. Exempt property and a family allowance can also adjust distributions. We explain how these protections apply so beneficiaries understand the true shape of what is coming to them.
How We Help
We open estates, serve as counsel to personal representatives, and advocate for beneficiaries who believe an estate is stalled or being mishandled. When an accounting raises questions, we review it line by line. When a personal representative is unresponsive, we use the tools the Probate Code provides to compel action. Our focus stays on the outcome you care about most: a lawful, timely distribution.
Speak With a Palm Beach Probate Attorney
Every estate is different, and the timing of your distribution depends on facts unique to your situation. This page is general information, not legal advice. Before relying on anything here, consult a licensed Florida attorney who can review your specific estate. Our West Palm Beach office serves families throughout Palm Beach County, and we welcome the chance to explain where your distribution stands and what comes next.
For more on our Florida practice, see our overview of Florida probate administration. Morgan Legal Group's affiliated New York office also handles Article 81 guardianship in New York.