Estate planning, probate & elder law in Fort Lauderdale
Estate planning, probate & elder law in Fort Lauderdale
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ProbateWhen you lose someone, the last thing you need is a confusing court process. John Clarke guides South Florida families through Florida probate, start to finish, with the calm of a former nurse and the clarity of an experienced attorney.
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they pass. It can feel overwhelming at the worst possible time. John handles each step so your family doesn't have to navigate it alone.
Three clear stages, with John handling the court and the paperwork at every one.
We file with the Florida probate court and get the personal representative appointed, so the estate can be administered properly.
We notify creditors, inventory the assets, and settle outstanding debts, final bills, and any taxes, keeping everything documented.
We distribute what remains to the rightful heirs, correctly and on time, and bring the estate to a clean, final close.
Probate is the legal process used to transfer a person's assets after death. Fort Lauderdale probate attorney John Clarke helps families navigate the Florida process and settle estates efficiently, making sure assets are distributed according to Florida law.
Schedule a free consultationIf a loved one lived in Fort Lauderdale or elsewhere in Broward County, the probate case is typically filed in the Broward County Probate Division. John Clarke also handles probate cases in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
If a person dies without a will or trust, their estate is distributed to their next of kin under Florida's law of intestacy (Florida Statutes, Sections 732.101 through 732.111).
Florida law provides for several types of probate, depending on the size and complexity of the estate. A formal administration is required for an estate that holds more than $75,000 in assets when probate is filed within two years of death. A simpler summary administration is allowed for smaller estates, or when the decedent has been deceased more than 24 months. When an estate consists of only minimal personal property, it may be settled through an even simpler process, disposition without administration, that does not require notifying the estate's creditors. For most probate matters, Florida law requires that you be represented by an attorney.
If a loved one has recently passed away and you are unsure how to settle their estate, John Clarke offers a free, no-obligation consultation. He will walk you through your options and handle the process from start to finish, so your family can focus on what matters.
Rated 5.0 across 62 verified reviews on Avvo, Google & Thumbtack
“I rolled the dice on John Clarke and won. He cares about his clients, gets back in a timely manner and anticipates your needs. Highly recommended for probate actions.”
Ron Kanterman
Probate · via Google
Sep 2026
“I highly recommend this elder law attorney. He was knowledgeable, compassionate, and professional throughout the entire process. He took the time to explain every step clearly, answered all of my questions with patience, and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to navigate. His expertise in elder law, Medicaid planning, and estate matters gave my family confidence that we were making the right decisions.”
Nancy Serbellon
Elder law & Medicaid · via Google
Jul 2026
“I would 100% recommend John Clarke. He was a great guide and help with understanding and getting prepared to apply for Medicaid in Florida. Thanks so much John!”
Jeryl Paris
Medicaid planning · via Google
Aug 2026
Straight answers for a hard time.
Not always. Some assets pass outside probate (joint accounts, beneficiary designations, certain trusts). If you're not sure, John will review the situation and tell you straight whether probate is required.
A simple, uncontested estate often resolves in a few months; larger or contested estates take longer. We move it along as fast as the court allows and keep you updated at every step.
We discuss fees openly before we start, and probate work is typically billed on a flat or clearly explained basis. There are no surprises.
Florida law decides who inherits when there's no will. John handles intestate estates the same careful way, making sure the right heirs are identified and the estate is settled correctly.
Yes. You reach John himself, not a call center or a junior associate. As a former nurse, he brings calm and compassion to families during a hard time.
Yes. When heirs or creditors dispute an estate, John protects the personal representative and works toward a fair, lawful resolution.
Summary administration can be an efficient way to transfer a parent's Florida probate assets, but it is not simply a cheaper form of formal probate. The right choice depends on the assets, the creditor picture, family agreement, and whether anyone needs the authority of a personal representative.
Read articleA Florida probate has two price categories: out-of-pocket case costs and professional fees. For a straightforward South Florida formal administration, a practical planning range is often about $4,500 to $13,500 before any personal-representative commission. There is no mandatory 3% fee; the statutory schedule is a negotiable presumption.
Read articleFlorida law allows caregivers to recover compensation from estates through written agreements, quantum meruit, or unjust enrichment claims.
Read articleFlorida law provides procedures for managing missing persons' property and obtaining judicial declarations of death after prolonged absence.
Read articleHB 1337 modernizes Florida probate law with expanded summary administration, increased financial thresholds, and enhanced personal representative authority.
Read articleFlorida's 2020 law allows heirs to purchase other heirs' property shares through court-supervised sales rather than forced partition.
Read articleFlorida's slayer statute prevents anyone who intentionally kills another from inheriting the victim's estate.
Read articleThe legal grounds for challenging a Florida will — lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud, forgery, and improper execution — plus who may contest and the burden of proof.
Read articleReal estate can be sold during Florida probate depending on property type, will provisions, and court approval requirements.
Read articleFlorida probate timelines vary from one to three months for summary administration to six months to one year for formal administration.
Read articleProbate can often be avoided through proper estate planning using tools like Lady Bird deeds, beneficiary designations, and revocable living trusts.
Read articleProbate is time-consuming and expensive; Florida law offers several low-cost alternatives to avoid it.
Read articleWhen someone dies without a will in Florida, state law determines who inherits the estate and how property is distributed through intestacy rules.
Read articleBrowse all probate articlesTalk to John directly about your situation. The first consultation is free, and there is no pressure to continue.
✓ Free, no-obligation consultation
No call center and no junior associate. You reach John directly. The first consultation is free, and there is no obligation.
Serving clients across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.
