No personal representative is appointed by the court in summary administration proceedings. It can typically be completed within three to four months. Summary Administration is available in two situations for either Florida resident or non-Florida resident decedent’s estates:
- When the dearly departed has been deceased for two or more years (provided that the Will does not direct formal probate administration).
- When the value of the dearly departed’s estate is less than $75,000.00 (not including “exempt property”) provided that the Will does not direct formal probate administration
Sometimes, in the case of the second scenario, if there are many creditors or when the creditors can’t be paid in full, it is preferable to conduct a formal probate administration. This wouldn’t apply in the first scenario, because creditor claims are barred after two years following death.
Summary administrations are shorter in duration than a formal probate administration, and the court filing fees are less than that of a formal probate administration
