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How long does probate take?

On Behalf of | Oct 15, 2022 | Estate Planning, Probate |

If you live outside of the Sunshine State, you may have little idea about what to do with a deceased loved one’s estate. Still, becoming familiar with the probate process can help you make the right decisions. It also can help you deal with your relative’s estate in a timely fashion.

According to the Florida Judiciary, probate is the legal process by which the estate’s representative identifies assets, pays debts and distributes property. If your loved one had assets at the time of his death, going through the probate process is probably unavoidable.

Timing

The time it takes to probate a deceased person’s estate depends on a variety of factors. Nevertheless, the official administration of an estate typically takes between six and nine months. If your loved one’s estate is eligible for a streamlined type of probate, such as summary probate or the disposition of personal assets without administration, the process may be a much quicker one.

Planning

Because you have a family, job and life in your home state, waiting months for the probate process to finish may seem onerous. Fortunately, with some planning, you may be able to shorten the probate period considerably.

Promptly responding to court notices is typically the most effective way beneficiaries can speed up the probate process. If you waive certain rights, you also may be able to fast-track probate. Still, when it comes to probate, patience certainly is a virtue.

Ultimately, even though it may seem like the probate process is going to drag on forever, knowing you have correctly probated your loved one’s estate is worth the wait.