Probate
Probate Does Not Have to Be Overwhelming. But It Does Have to Be Done.
Court-supervised administration of Florida estates, handled efficiently, explained clearly, and priced with transparency.
Understanding Probate
What Is Probate and Why Does It Matter?
Probate is the court-supervised legal process that identifies, collects, and distributes a deceased person's assets to the people entitled to receive them. It also provides the mechanism for paying outstanding debts and closing the estate officially under court authority.
Without probate, assets titled in the decedent's name are frozen. Banks will not release funds, title companies will not insure real estate transfers, and beneficiaries cannot access what was left to them. Probate resolves all of this through a structured legal process recognized by every institution involved.
Schedule a Discovery CallWatch: Florida Probate Process Overview
The Cost of Inaction
What Happens Without Proper Probate
A family member passed away and no one knows what to do next
Without a plan
Without probate, assets titled in the decedent's name cannot be transferred. Bank accounts get frozen. Real estate cannot be sold. Beneficiaries wait indefinitely while the estate sits in legal limbo.
With LCO Law
Probate is the legal process that resolves this. Done correctly and efficiently, it transfers assets to the right people, settles outstanding debts, and closes the estate with court authority.
The estate includes real estate in Florida
Without a plan
You cannot sell or transfer real estate owned by someone who has died without going through probate or having a trust in place. Title companies will not insure the transfer, and buyers cannot close.
With LCO Law
Whether the estate qualifies for summary or formal administration depends on the estate's value and when the person passed. We determine which process applies and file immediately.
There is a dispute over the will or the estate
Without a plan
Contested probate requires active litigation. Without experienced counsel, your interests may not be protected through the objection, discovery, mediation, and potential trial process.
With LCO Law
We represent beneficiaries, personal representatives, and interested parties in contested probate proceedings, from initial objections through trial if necessary.
What We Handle
Florida Probate Services
Summary Administration
A faster, simplified probate process for estates valued under $150,000 or when the decedent passed away more than two years ago.
Learn moreFormal Administration
The standard court-supervised probate process required for larger estates, real estate transfers, and estates within two years of death.
Learn moreContested Probate
When a will is disputed, a personal representative is challenged, or beneficiaries disagree, contested probate requires experienced litigation counsel.
Learn moreWho We Serve
Who This Is For
Surviving Family Members
When a loved one passes, the last thing families want is to navigate a court process alone. We handle the probate from start to finish so you can focus on what matters. We explain every step in plain language and move the process forward as efficiently as the court allows.
Book a Discovery CallPersonal Representatives and Executors
Being appointed personal representative of an estate comes with legal obligations, deadlines, and potential personal liability if things go wrong. We guide personal representatives through every duty from creditor notice to final distribution so the process is handled correctly.
Book a Discovery CallBeneficiaries with Questions or Concerns
If you are a beneficiary of an estate and something does not seem right about how it is being administered, or if you believe a will may not reflect the decedent's true wishes, you have legal rights. We represent beneficiaries in contested and uncontested probate alike.
Book a Discovery CallCommon Misconceptions
What People Get Wrong About Probate
"Probate takes years and costs a fortune."
It depends on the estate. Summary administration for qualifying estates can be completed in weeks, not years. Formal administration typically takes six months to a year. Contested probate takes longer. The cost scales with complexity, and our flat-fee approach gives you certainty from the start.
"I do not need an attorney. I can do this myself."
Florida probate involves court filings, creditor notice periods, deadlines, personal representative obligations, and potential liability. Mistakes can delay the process, expose the personal representative to personal liability, or result in assets being distributed incorrectly. An attorney saves time and prevents costly errors.
"There is nothing to probate. The estate is small."
Even small estates may require probate to transfer real estate, access bank accounts, or resolve outstanding debts. Florida's summary administration process is designed for exactly these situations, providing a faster and more affordable path for qualifying estates.
The Process
How It Works
Book Your Discovery Call
A short call with our team to understand what the estate includes, whether there is a will, and which probate process applies.
We File and Manage the Process
We handle all court filings, creditor notices, and communications with the court. You receive regular updates and never have to wonder what is happening.
Assets Transfer to the Right People
Once the court approves the final accounting and distribution, assets are transferred to beneficiaries and the estate is formally closed.
Your Attorney
Natalia Ouellette-Grice
Natalia Ouellette-Grice handles Florida probate for families, personal representatives, and beneficiaries across the state. Her background in estate planning means she understands the full picture: not just how to close the estate that exists, but how to help surviving family members build better plans going forward. She handles both uncontested and contested probate, including will challenges and disputed administrations.
- Flat-fee probate so you know the cost before we start
- Summary and formal administration, plus contested probate litigation
- Florida-wide representation with virtual meetings available
- Regular updates throughout the process, no waiting and wondering
- Estate planning integration available after probate closes
Get Started Today
Schedule Your Free Discovery Call
Our team will review your situation, explain which probate process applies, and walk you through what to expect. No pressure, no obligation.
Probate Does Not Wait. Neither Should You.
The estate process has deadlines. The sooner you start, the more options you have. Let us handle it from here.
Schedule a Free Discovery Call