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Florida Probate Cost Calculator

See exactly what probate will cost your estate — and how much your family could save with a trust.

9–36 Months, avg. probate
$27K+ Avg. probate cost in FL
$1,499 Cornerstone trust package
100% Avoidable with planning
Estimated Family Savings
$26,001
Your estate avoids an estimated 9–18 months of court proceedings — and keeps assets private.
Return on investment: 15:1 — every $1 spent on a trust saves $15 in probate
⚖️

Without a Trust — Probate

Florida statutory fees + court costs

Attorney fees F.S. § 733.6171 — statutory $15,000
Personal representative Same statutory schedule $15,000
Court & filing fees County + estate size $435
Publication notice $200
Complexity factor Moderate estate $1,116
Ancillary probate Out-of-state property $3,750
Total Probate Cost $31,751
Estimated time:  9–18 months
🛡️

With a Cornerstone Trust

One-time flat fee — complete package

Revocable living trust Fully drafted, attorney-reviewed $1,499
Deed recording (per FL property) Transfers real estate into trust ~$250
Annual review & updates Included — no extra charge $0
Pour-over will + powers of attorney Included in package $0
Court proceedings $0
Total Trust Cost $1,749
Time to fund:  1–2 weeks to execute

The Timeline Difference

Probate forces your family to wait. A trust lets them move forward.

⚖️ Probate
9–18 months
1
File petition with court
2
Appoint PR; inventory assets
3
90-day creditor notice period
4
Court hearings & tax clearance
5
Final order & distribution
🛡️ Trust
Days to weeks
1
Death certificate obtained
2
Successor trustee steps in
3
Assets retitled & distributed

What Probate Really Costs

Beyond the dollar figure, probate imposes costs your family can't get back.

📰
Public Record — Total Exposure

Your assets, debts, and beneficiaries become public record. Anyone — creditors, estranged relatives, bad actors — can read the file at the courthouse.

⏳
Family Waits Months or Years

Heirs cannot receive a dollar until the court closes the estate. Mortgages, bills, and living expenses continue — but the estate is frozen.

👨‍⚖️
A Judge Controls Distribution

Every distribution requires court approval. Any beneficiary can object, triggering expensive hearings. Family disputes become public litigation.

🏠
Real Estate Frozen in Place

You cannot sell, refinance, or transfer real property during probate without a court order. If the market shifts, your heirs absorb the loss.

✈️
Out-of-State Property = Two Probates

Every state where you own real property requires its own ancillary probate. Two states means two courts, two attorneys, double the cost and time.

💔
Grief Meets Bureaucracy

Surviving spouses and children spend 18 months navigating court filings, creditor notices, and hearings — while grieving. The emotional toll is immeasurable.

Ready to Protect Your Family?

Skip probate entirely. Start your trust today.

For a flat $1,499, Cornerstone drafts your revocable living trust, pour-over will, and powers of attorney — everything your family needs to avoid court entirely. No hourly billing. No surprises.

Start My Trust for $1,499 → Talk to an Attorney
Flat-fee pricing
Florida-licensed attorneys
10-day turnaround
Includes annual review
★★★★★

"My mother passed without a trust and we spent 14 months in probate. When my husband and I sat down with Cornerstone, it was the easiest decision we'd ever made. The trust was done in two weeks and we have complete peace of mind."

— M.R., Sarasota, FL  ·  Estate Planning Client

This calculator provides estimates based on Florida Statutes § 733.6171 and typical court costs as of 2026. Actual probate costs vary based on estate complexity, contested proceedings, creditor claims, and individual county fee schedules. Results do not constitute legal advice and are not a substitute for consultation with a Florida-licensed attorney. Cornerstone Wealth & Legacy Law, PLLC — All rights reserved.