Handling an estate in Orlando?
Bucelo Diaz Law guides Orange County families through every stage of probate, by phone, Zoom, or in person. Schedule a free 30-minute initial consultation.
By Alexis Bucelo Diaz, Esq. | Last reviewed: July 3, 2026
When someone passes away owning a home or accounts in Orlando, the estate is administered through the probate division of Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orange County. Bucelo Diaz Law represents families throughout the Orlando area, from Winter Park and College Park to Dr. Phillips, MetroWest, and Lake Nona, in Florida probate matters of every size, with our Ocala office serving Central Florida alongside phone and Zoom consultations statewide.
Orlando is a city of transplants, and its probate cases show it. The personal representative is often an adult child living out of state; the estate often includes a vacation rental or investment property alongside the family home. Florida probate is built to be handled remotely, and so are we: electronic filing with the Orange County clerk, meetings by phone or Zoom, and documents handled without repeated trips to Florida.
Where Orlando Probate Cases Are Filed
Probate for Orlando residents is filed with the Orange County Clerk of Courts and administered by the probate division of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which serves Orange and Osceola Counties. Attorneys file through Florida’s statewide e-filing portal. Local filing details and first steps after a death are covered in our Orange County probate guide.
Summary vs. Formal Administration for Orlando Estates
Florida probate runs on two main tracks, and which one applies drives both the timeline and the cost:
- Summary administration: the shortened process for estates with $150,000 or less in nonexempt assets (the limit doubled from $75,000 on July 1, 2026 under CS/HB 1337), or where the decedent died more than two years ago. Homestead property does not count toward the limit. Typically finished in about one to three months. We handle summary administration for a flat fee of $4,500 plus court costs.
- Formal administration: the full process with a court-appointed personal representative, required for most larger estates. Typically six to twelve months, driven by the mandatory three month creditor window. Our fees for formal administration start at $8,500.
Not sure which track applies? That is usually the first question we answer in a consultation, and the answer changed for many families this month when the new $150,000 limit took effect. See our Orange County probate guide for county-level filing details and our Florida probate cost guide for a full cost breakdown.
Vacation Homes and Investment Property in Orlando Estates
Orlando estates frequently include more than a primary residence: short-term rental property near the attractions, an investment condo, or a second home. Each property must be addressed in the probate, rented property needs authority for someone to manage it while the case is pending, and property in other states may trigger additional proceedings there. If you are administering an Orlando estate from out of state, our guide to handling Florida probate remotely covers what to expect.
Why Orlando Families Work With Bucelo Diaz Law
Bucelo Diaz Law is a Florida estate planning and probate firm with offices in Weston, Ocala, and Naples, serving families statewide in English and Spanish. Probate is one of our core practice areas, not a sideline: summary administration, formal administration, ancillary probate, and beneficiary representation. Consultations are free, thirty minutes, and available by phone, Zoom, or in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a probate attorney in Orlando?
For formal administration, Florida court rules require the personal representative to be represented by an attorney in nearly all cases. For summary administration an attorney is not strictly required but strongly advisable, since filing errors are the most common source of delay. Probate filings are electronic, so the attorney handles everything with the Orange County clerk regardless of where the family lives.
Where is probate filed for an Orlando resident?
With the Orange County Clerk of Courts, in the probate division of Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, which serves Orange and Osceola Counties. Attorneys file through Florida’s statewide e-filing portal, and most uncontested cases require no courthouse visits by the family.
How long does probate take in Orange County?
Summary administration typically takes about one to three months. Formal administration typically takes six to twelve months, driven by Florida’s mandatory three month creditor claim window. Estates with rental or investment property to manage or sell can run longer.
How much does probate cost in Orlando?
Bucelo Diaz Law handles summary administration, available for estates with $150,000 or less in nonexempt assets since July 1, 2026, for a flat fee of $4,500 plus court costs. Formal administration starts at $8,500. Court filing fees set by the Orange County clerk are separate.
Informational purposes only. This page is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a qualified Florida attorney about your specific situation. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Talk to a Orlando Probate Attorney
Call us at 954.399.1910 or schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation. We also offer Zoom consultations, in English and Spanish. Attorney advertising.
About the Author
Alexis Bucelo Diaz, Esq., LL.M. is the founding attorney of Bucelo Diaz Law, PLLC. She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Estate Planning from the University of Miami School of Law and has more than 15 years of focused experience in Florida estate planning, probate, and real property law. Florida Bar #86918. Selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars in 2025.