If a loved one has recently passed away in Florida — or if you are thinking ahead about your own estate — there is important news. Florida has passed CS/SB 1500, a meaningful reform to the state’s probate law, and it was approved unanimously by both chambers of the Florida Legislature. The headline change makes it far easier for many estates to use summary administration, Florida’s streamlined alternative to full probate. For many families, that means a faster, cheaper, and far less stressful path through the process – and a good reason to take a fresh look at your estate plan.
Key Takeaways: Florida’s CS/SB 1500 takes effect July 1, 2026, and doubles the summary administration threshold from $75,000 to $150,000 in non-exempt probate assets. The no-administration personal property limit also rises from $10,000 to $20,000. Homestead property, retirement accounts, life insurance, and other non-probate assets are excluded from the threshold calculation. The new limit applies only to decedents who pass away on or after July 1, 2026.
What Is Summary Administration?
Florida offers two main types of probate. Formal administration is the full-length court process — it typically takes six to twelve months, requires a court-appointed personal representative, involves a mandatory creditor notice and claims period, and can cost considerably in legal and court fees depending on estate complexity. Summary administration, governed by Florida Statute §735.201, is the streamlined alternative. It does not require a personal representative, eliminates the mandatory creditor claims period, and typically wraps up in four to eight weeks. At the end, a judge signs a single Order of Summary Administration directing assets to be distributed directly to the beneficiaries.
What Did Florida’s CS/SB 1500 Change?
Under the old law, summary administration was only available if the estate’s non-exempt probate assets were worth $75,000 or less. CS/SB 1500 doubles that cap to $150,000. Two things are critical to understand about how that number is calculated. First, your homestead property is not counted — the family home is excluded from the calculation entirely, as are certain other exempt assets such as specified household furnishings and up to two personal vehicles. Second, assets that pass outside of probate — such as retirement accounts with named beneficiaries, life insurance proceeds, payable-on-death or transfer-on-death accounts, and jointly held property — also do not count toward the cap. An estate can have a substantial gross value and still qualify for summary administration if non-exempt probate assets fall below $150,000.
Consider a practical example. A retired Floridian passes away owning a $300,000 home, a checking account with $120,000, and a life insurance policy naming her children as beneficiaries. Under the old law, the $120,000 bank account would have pushed the estate into formal administration — a lengthy, expensive process. Under the new law, that same estate qualifies for summary administration, because the home and the life insurance are excluded from the count, and the bank account falls under the new $150,000 threshold.
Who Benefits Most?
This reform is especially significant for middle-income Florida families — those who had more than $75,000 in non-exempt assets but whose estates were never truly complex enough to warrant a full-blown court proceeding. These families were stuck in an uncomfortable middle zone: too much for the old summary threshold, too modest to justify the cost and delay of formal probate. That zone has now expanded considerably. The new law is also a useful nudge to take stock of your own estate plan. Because homestead, retirement accounts, and accounts with transfer-on-death designations all pass outside of probate, many people are surprised to discover just how little of their estate is actually subject to probate — often well below $150,000.
What Are the Limitations of the New Threshold?
The new $150,000 threshold applies only to decedents who pass away on or after July 1, 2026. Estates of those who passed away before that date are governed by the old $75,000 rule. Additionally, if a decedent’s will specifically directs formal administration, summary administration is unavailable regardless of estate size. And of course, summary administration remains available for any estate — regardless of value — when more than two years have passed since the date of death. It is also worth noting that summary administration is still a court proceeding: it requires a petition to be filed with the probate court, and all beneficiaries named in the petition must sign it. While significantly faster than formal administration, it is not a purely private process.
Does This Change Whether You Need an Estate Plan?
Not fundamentally. A properly funded revocable trust still avoids probate entirely — no court order, no filing, no waiting period — and remains the most comprehensive planning tool available. An unfunded or partially funded trust, however, will not achieve that result; assets must actually be titled in the trust or properly designated to it. The CS/SB 1500 reform does make the fallback position meaningfully better for families who relied on a will alone or whose planning is incomplete. If you have been putting off an estate plan review, this is a good moment to take stock of what you actually own and how it would move through the system today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When does Florida’s new $150,000 summary administration threshold take effect?
The new threshold takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to decedents who pass away on or after that date. Estates of people who died before July 1, 2026 remain subject to the old $75,000 limit.
What assets count toward the $150,000 limit?
Only non-exempt probate assets count. Homestead property, specified household furnishings, up to two personal vehicles, and assets that pass outside probate — such as retirement accounts with named beneficiaries, life insurance, payable-on-death or transfer-on-death accounts, and jointly held property — are excluded.
How long does summary administration take?
Summary administration typically wraps up in four to eight weeks, compared with six to twelve months for formal administration. It does not require a court-appointed personal representative and eliminates the mandatory creditor claims period.
Do I still need a revocable trust?
Yes, if avoiding probate entirely is your goal. A properly funded revocable trust avoids probate with no court order, filing, or waiting period. The new law improves the fallback for families relying on a will alone, but it does not replace comprehensive estate planning.
Can any estate under $150,000 use summary administration?
Not always. If a decedent’s will specifically directs formal administration, summary administration is unavailable regardless of estate size. Summary administration is also available for any estate, regardless of value, when more than two years have passed since the date of death.
Contact Kramer Green Today
Ready to review your estate plan in light of Florida’s new summary administration rules? The Weston law firm of Kramer Green can help you understand how CS/SB 1500 affects your estate and what steps to take next. Call us today at 954-966-2112 or use our convenient online form to schedule a consultation.