How to Expedite Probate in Florida – 8 Things You Can Do to Speed Things Up

Waiting on probate feels like watching the clock tick—only slower.

The process can take months, sometimes more than a year, tying up your loved one’s estate while legal formalities play out.

So, let’s answer the question we hear often:

How can I expedite probate in Florida?

At Vollrath Law, we help families minimize delays, reduce stress, and settle estates as efficiently as possible. In this blog, we’ll walk through real strategies you can use to move probate forward—faster and smarter.

First, Why Does Probate Take So Long?

Understanding the source of delays helps you know where you can cut time.

In a typical formal administration (Florida’s most common probate process), you’re dealing with:

• Court petitions and approvals
• Notifying creditors and beneficiaries
• Gathering and valuing assets
• Paying off debts and taxes
• Distributing what’s left to the heirs

And that’s assuming nothing goes wrong—like a family dispute, missing paperwork, or assets with unclear ownership.

Now, let’s break down what you can do to expedite it.

1. File Quickly and Completely

The number one delay? Slow starts and incomplete filings.

To begin probate, someone must file a Petition for Administration with the circuit court in the Florida county where the decedent lived. You’ll also need:

• A certified copy of the death certificate (preferably without cause of death for privacy reasons)
• The original Will (if there is one)
• A proposed order for appointment of the personal representative

Pro tip: The sooner you file, the sooner the court can issue Letters of Administration, giving the personal representative legal authority to act on the estate’s behalf.

At Vollrath Law, we help you gather everything up front—so nothing holds you back later.

2. Use Summary Administration If You Qualify

One of the most effective ways to expedite probate in Florida is by avoiding formal administration altogether.

Florida offers a faster path called summary administration, which:

• Doesn’t require a personal representative
• Skips many formal steps
• Can wrap up in weeks—not months

You can qualify if:

• The total value of the probate estate is $75,000 or less (excluding exempt property), OR
• The decedent has been deceased for more than two years

No drawn-out court hearings. Fewer notice requirements. Less paperwork. Less waiting.

3. Know When You Can Skip Probate Entirely

Certain assets pass outside of probate automatically—meaning no delays at all.

These include:

• Property held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship
• Assets held in a living trust
• Payable-on-death (POD) and transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts
• Life insurance, retirement accounts, and annuities with named beneficiaries
• Homestead property in some cases, depending on title and family structure

Identifying non-probate assets early helps reduce the size—and complexity—of the estate, which can make formal probate faster or unnecessary.

4. Get Organized and Gather Information Up Front

You can’t speed up probate if you’re constantly stopping to search for paperwork or chase down details.

Here’s what to gather as early as possible:

• The decedent’s death certificate
• The original Will
• A full list of assets and debts
• Titles and deeds for property
• Contact info for all heirs and beneficiaries
• Details of non-probate accounts or designations

The probate court may only need information on probate assets, but a complete inventory makes it much easier to move forward without errors or disputes.

5. Avoid or Resolve Disputes Early

Nothing grinds probate to a halt like a fight over the Will or assets.

If someone contests the Will or disputes who should inherit, expect months—or even years—of litigation.

To prevent that:

• Use a clear and legally valid Will
• Work with a probate attorney to provide required notices and disclosures
• Encourage open communication between heirs early in the process

And if you’re already dealing with a dispute, Vollrath Law can step in to mediate and defend your position, so probate can resume with minimal damage.

6. Respond Quickly to Court and Creditor Deadlines

Florida’s probate process includes strict timelines. Missing even one deadline can delay distribution by weeks or trigger legal setbacks.

Key time-sensitive tasks include:

• Notifying creditors within 30 days of appointment
• Handling claims within a 90-day creditor period
• Filing the inventory of estate assets within 60 days
• Responding to court notices, objections, or requests immediately

We keep a close eye on these deadlines for our clients and proactively resolve issues before they cause bottlenecks.

7. Work with an Attorney Who Knows the Local Court

Every Florida county has its own probate division with local quirks and expectations. Working with an attorney who knows Seminole County courts (and surrounding counties) can cut down on back-and-forth and help you avoid common mistakes.

At Vollrath Law, we’ve built relationships with the clerks and judges who handle probate in Oviedo, Winter Springs, and throughout Central Florida. We know what they look for—and how to present a clean, complete filing that gets processed without delay.

8. Explore “Disposition Without Administration” for Small Personal Estates

Florida has an even faster option than summary administration, called disposition of personal property without administration.

This process is only available when:

• The estate only contains exempt property or
• Non-exempt property covers only funeral and final medical expenses

If the estate qualifies, there’s no court hearing, no personal representative, and the family can often claim funds with just a few forms.

So, How Can You Actually Expedite Probate?

Here’s the recap:

• File quickly and completely
• Choose summary administration if possible
• Separate out non-probate assets
• Gather information early
• Avoid disputes—or resolve them fast
• Stay on top of deadlines
• Choose a local attorney who knows the system
• Use small estate processes if available

Probate is never instant. But with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to drag on either.

Work with Vollrath Law to Move Probate Forward, Fast

When you’re grieving, the last thing you need is a months-long legal maze. At Vollrath Law, we help you move from questions to closure.

Whether you need to file probate today or want to create a plan that keeps your loved ones out of court tomorrow, we’re ready to help.

Call or schedule your consultation today.

We’ll guide you through the fastest, cleanest path—so you can focus on what matters.