Estate Glossary
Florida estate and probate
terms, in plain English.
The words that show up in wills, trusts, and probate, defined clearly, with the Florida-specific detail that actually changes the answer.
Estate planning has its own vocabulary, and in Florida the local rules often change what a term means for you. These are the concepts we explain most often on a first call. Browse by topic below, or use site search to jump straight to one.
Probate Administration
Formal Administration
The standard Florida probate process for larger or more complex estates, run by a court-appointed personal representative.
Read definitionSummary Administration
A faster, simpler Florida probate for smaller estates or when the person died more than two years ago.
Read definitionAncillary Probate
A secondary Florida probate for an out-of-state resident who owned property in Florida.
Read definitionPersonal Representative
Florida’s name for the executor: the person the court appoints to administer an estate.
Read definitionLetters of Administration
The court order that gives a Florida personal representative legal authority to act for the estate.
Read definitionNotice to Creditors
The published and served notice that starts Florida’s creditor claim period in probate.
Read definitionInheritance and Family Rights
Intestate Succession
Florida’s default rules for who inherits when someone dies without a valid will.
Read definitionElective Share
A surviving spouse’s right to claim 30 percent of a Florida estate, even if the will leaves less.
Read definitionFlorida Homestead
Florida’s constitutional protection for a primary home, affecting creditors, taxes, and who can inherit it.
Read definitionTrusts and Deeds
Revocable Living Trust
A trust you control during life that passes assets at death without probate.
Read definitionIrrevocable Trust
A trust that generally cannot be changed once created, used for asset protection and tax planning.
Read definitionLady Bird Deed
A Florida deed that lets you keep full control of your home during life and pass it automatically at death, outside probate.
Read definitionPour-Over Will
A will that catches any leftover assets and sends them into your living trust at death.
Read definitionIncapacity Documents
Durable Power of Attorney
A document letting someone you choose manage your finances, including if you become incapacitated.
Read definitionDesignation of Health Care Surrogate
Florida’s document naming who makes your medical decisions if you cannot.
Read definitionLiving Will
A Florida document stating your wishes about life-prolonging treatment near the end of life.
Read definitionThese definitions are general information, not legal advice. If you want to know how one of them applies to your family or your estate, that is exactly what a free 15-minute call is for.
Estate Planning and Probate
Want a term explained for your situation?
Tell us what you are trying to sort out in a free 15-minute call. We handle wills, trusts, and probate across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach, on a flat fee for most estate work.