When a Boca Raton estate is built largely on real property, probate becomes a question of title as much as inheritance. Our firm concentrates on Florida probate matters where the decedent’s most valuable assets are houses, condominiums, waterfront lots, and rental units. We guide families through Florida’s Probate Code (Chapters 731-735) so that deeds, mortgages, and homestead protections are handled correctly the first time.
Why Real-Property Estates Need Focused Handling
A bank account passes to heirs with a signature. A parcel of Palm Beach County real estate does not. Title to Florida real property vests at death, but the chain of title is not marketable until probate, a Lady Bird deed, or a trust resolves ownership on the public record. Until that happens, a family may be unable to sell, refinance, or even insure the home. We focus on clearing title so that a Boca Raton property can actually change hands.
Florida Homestead Is Not Just a Tax Term
Under the Florida Constitution, homestead property carries special descent and devise rules. If the decedent was survived by a spouse or minor child, the homestead generally cannot be freely devised, and it passes outside the probate estate to protected heirs. Misreading these rules is one of the most common and costly mistakes in real-property estates. We analyze homestead status early, because it changes who inherits the house and whether creditors can reach it.
Choosing the Right Administration
Florida offers summary administration for smaller or older estates and formal administration for larger or contested ones. When real property is involved, the choice affects how quickly clear title can be issued and whether a personal representative is needed to sign a deed. We evaluate the value of the estate, the age of the death, and the nature of each parcel before recommending a path.
Our Boca Raton Probate Services
- Formal administration for larger and real-property-heavy estates
- Summary administration for qualifying smaller or older estates
- Florida homestead determination and title resolution
- Lady Bird (enhanced life estate) deeds for probate avoidance
- Ancillary administration for out-of-state owners of Florida property
Serving Boca Raton and Palm Beach County
We handle estates filed in the Palm Beach County probate division and routinely coordinate with title companies, real estate brokers, and county recorders to move property from a decedent’s name into the hands of the rightful heirs or a buyer.
Consult a Florida Attorney
This page is general information about Florida probate, not legal advice. Florida law is fact-specific, and homestead and title questions in particular turn on details unique to each estate. Please consult a licensed Florida attorney before acting on any matter described here.
For more on our Florida practice, see our overview of Florida probate administration. Morgan Legal Group's affiliated New York office also handles how a will is contested in New York.