Probate Attorney in Boca Raton, FL

Probate is the court-supervised legal process for settling a deceased person’s estate, such as paying debts, resolving creditor claims, and transferring assets to the rightful beneficiaries. For Boca Raton residents, the applicable court depends on where the decedent lived:

• South Boca Raton (Broward County address): Filed with the Broward County Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, Fort Lauderdale
• North Boca Raton (Palm Beach County address): Filed with the Palm Beach County Circuit Court, 15th Judicial Circuit, West Palm Beach

If you’re unsure which county applies, our attorneys can confirm the correct jurisdiction in your first consultation.

Probate is required when a person dies owning assets solely in their name without a designated beneficiary or joint owner. This commonly includes real estate titled in the decedent’s name, bank accounts without a payable-on-death designation, and personal property. Assets with named beneficiaries and assets held in a revocable trust bypass probate entirely. Learn more about which assets are exempt from probate in Florida.

Summary Administration

Florida’s faster, simplified probate process, which is available when non-exempt probate assets are $150,000 or less (for deaths on or after July 1, 2026) or when the decedent passed more than two years ago. Typically completed in 2–4 months. Learn more about summary administration in Florida.

Formal Administration

Required for most estates exceeding the summary administration threshold or when a personal representative must be appointed. Full court-supervised process typically taking 6–12 months. Florida law requires attorney representation. Learn more about formal administration in Florida.

Ancillary Probate

Boca Raton’s large population of part-time residents and out-of-state vacation homeowners makes ancillary probate a common need. If a non-Florida resident dies owning Boca Raton property titled in their name, a Florida ancillary proceeding is required. Learn more about ancillary probate in Florida.

Large Estate Probate

For complex or high-value Boca Raton estates, including those with business interests, investment portfolios, real estate holdings, and international assets, we provide comprehensive large estate probate administration. Learn more about our large estate probate services.

High-net-worth estates with complex assets

Boca Raton has a significant concentration of high-net-worth residents whose estates include investment portfolios, business interests, multiple real estate holdings, and retirement accounts. We regularly administer complex estates requiring coordination of multiple asset types, tax filings, and business succession considerations. Samantha’s LL.M. in Taxation and CPA license mean most estate tax matters are handled in-house without a separate advisor.

Seasonal residents and snowbirds

Many Boca Raton residents maintain homes in the Northeast or Midwest. When they pass away, their estates may require both a home-state primary probate and a Florida ancillary proceeding. We coordinate both processes and work with out-of-state co-counsel when needed.

Retiree estates with real estate

Boca Raton’s retirement community means many estates center on the family home, and Florida’s homestead laws add complexity to how that home can be devised and transferred. We help families navigate homestead restrictions and devise rules as part of every probate we handle.

Estates without a will

When a Boca Raton resident dies without a valid will, Florida’s intestacy laws govern distribution, which may not reflect the decedent’s actual wishes. We guide families through intestate probate, including the special complications that arise in blended family situations.

Out-of-state personal representatives

Many Boca Raton residents have adult children serving as personal representatives from other states. We work regularly with out-of-state PRs, providing virtual consultations and handling all court filings locally. Florida law allows non-resident personal representatives who meet relationship requirements, and we advise on qualification from the outset.

• Broward AND Palm Beach court experience. Boca Raton’s unique position means estate cases may fall in either county. We file regularly in both the 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward) and the 15th Judicial Circuit (Palm Beach) and know both courts’ procedures.
• Exclusively focused on probate and estate law. We don’t split our attention across multiple practice areas. Probate, estate planning, and trust administration are all we do.
• Voted GOLD for Estate Law. SJF Law Group was voted GOLD for Estate Law and GOLD for Law Firm by South Florida Families in the Sun Sentinel 2026 survey.
• 300+ five-star Google reviews. Our clients consistently describe us as responsive, knowledgeable, and compassionate during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
• Advanced tax credentials. Samantha’s LL.M. in Taxation and CPA license provide in-house tax expertise most Boca Raton probate firms can’t match.
• Free consultations. In-person at our Plantation office or virtually. We’ll assess the estate and give you an honest picture of what probate will involve.