Guiding Families Through Probate
With Compassion & Clarity.
- Summary & Formal Administration — we handle both
- Trust administration for successor trustees — step-by-step guidance
- Flat-fee pricing — know your cost before you commit
We're Here to Help Your Family.
A few quick details so we can prepare for your complimentary call with our paralegal.
Losing a Loved One Is Hard Enough.
We Handle the Rest.
Probate is the legal process of administering an estate after someone passes away. While it's often seen as time-consuming, expensive, and stressful, we're here to make the process as quick and painless as possible.
For many families, probate can feel overwhelming — with court forms, deadlines, and legal requirements that are difficult to navigate during a time of grief.
That's where we come in. We're here to simplify the probate process, guiding you every step of the way to ensure everything is handled efficiently, legally, and compassionately.
- For assets less than $75,000
- When decedent has been dead over two years
- Shorter, more streamlined proceeding
- For assets over $75,000
- When you need a personal representative appointed
- Deals with creditor claims
- For non-residents of Florida
- Secondary probate — usually for FL real estate
- Main probate is in decedent's home state
- Person died with a valid will
- We admit the will to probate
- Estate distributed per the will's instructions
- Person died without a will
- State of Florida determines who inherits
- Avoidable with proper estate planning
Flat-Fee Probate & Trust Administration
No hourly billing surprises. Know your cost upfront so you can focus on what matters — your family. We handle the paperwork, court filings, and deadlines so you don't have to.
Named as a Successor Trustee?
We'll Guide You Through It.
Being named a successor trustee is an honor — but it comes with real legal responsibilities. Most people have no idea where to start. We do.
When a loved one passes and they had a revocable living trust, their estate does not go through probate — but it still must be properly administered. As successor trustee, you are legally responsible for carrying out their wishes, notifying beneficiaries, managing assets, and distributing the estate.
This process can feel just as overwhelming as probate without the right guidance. Attorney Patricia Keyes and our team walk you through every step — so nothing falls through the cracks.
A Trusted Guide When Your Family Needs It Most.
Probate doesn't have to be overwhelming. Patricia founded her practice to guide Florida families through the process with clarity, compassion, and no surprises on the bill.
Patricia F. Keyes
Florida Probate & Trust Attorney
Attorney Patricia F. Keyes has been guiding South Florida families through probate and trust administration for over 17 years. With an LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Miami, she brings deep expertise to every case — from simple summary administrations to complex formal proceedings involving real estate, creditors, and blended families.
Patty understands that when you're dealing with probate, you're not just handling legal paperwork — you're navigating one of the hardest moments of your life. Her approach is straightforward: clear communication, compassionate guidance, and flat-fee pricing so there are no billing surprises. You work directly with Patricia — not a paralegal, not a junior associate.
"When a family loses a loved one, the last thing they need is confusion about what comes next. My job is to make that part as simple as possible."
— Patricia F. Keyes, Esq., LL.M.
Jodi Mc-Mahon Bergman
Paralegal
Brant Boehm
Legal Assistant
Catherine Laystrom
Legal Assistant
Lyn Estrada
Paralegal
Arianny Bolivar
Legal Assistant
Families We've Helped Through Difficult Times.
Don't take our word for it — hear from the South Florida families we've guided through probate and trust administration.
Probate Questions Answered.
What is probate and do all estates go through it?
Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person's assets. Not all estates require probate — assets held in a trust, jointly owned property, and accounts with named beneficiaries (like life insurance or IRAs) typically pass outside of probate. An attorney can help you determine whether probate is required.
How long does probate take in Florida?
Summary Administration can often be completed in a few weeks to a couple of months. Formal Administration typically takes 6 to 12 months, sometimes longer if there are creditor disputes, contested claims, or complex assets. We work efficiently to move your case forward as quickly as possible.
How much does probate cost in Florida?
Costs vary depending on the type of proceeding and the complexity of the estate. At PKLaw, we offer flat-fee probate services — so you know your cost before we begin. There are no hourly billing surprises. Court filing fees and other third-party costs are separate and will be explained upfront.
What is the difference between Summary and Formal Administration?
Summary Administration is a simplified process available when the estate's probate assets are valued at less than $75,000, or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years. Formal Administration is required for larger estates and involves appointing a Personal Representative to manage the estate through the court process.
What happens if someone dies without a will in Florida?
When someone dies without a will — called dying intestate — Florida's intestacy laws determine who inherits the estate. The state essentially writes a will for you, and the results may not reflect what the deceased would have wanted. This is one of the strongest reasons to have an estate plan in place.
What is Ancillary Administration?
Ancillary Administration is a secondary probate proceeding required in Florida when a non-Florida resident dies owning real property in Florida. The primary probate happens in the decedent's home state, and the Florida ancillary proceeding handles only the Florida assets.
Does a trust avoid probate?
Yes — assets held in a properly funded revocable living trust pass directly to beneficiaries without going through probate. However, the trust still must be administered after the grantor's death. A successor trustee takes over responsibility and must follow a legal process to distribute assets, pay debts, and close the trust.
What are my responsibilities as a successor trustee?
As successor trustee you are legally responsible for notifying beneficiaries and creditors, inventorying and valuing trust assets, paying valid debts and expenses, filing final tax returns if required, and distributing assets to beneficiaries according to the trust terms. PKLaw guides you through each step so nothing is missed.
Can probate be avoided entirely?
In many cases, yes. Proper estate planning — including a revocable living trust, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership arrangements — can keep most or all of your estate out of probate. We can help you set up an estate plan designed to minimize the burden on your family after you're gone.
You Don't Have to Navigate
Probate Alone.
Tell us your situation. We'll be honest about what you need and exactly what it will cost. Start with a complimentary call with our paralegal. No obligation. No pressure. Flat fees — no surprises.