Probate & Inherited Houses in Florida: the timeline, your options, and how to sell for cash
Yes. In Florida the personal representative can sell estate property once appointed by the probate court, and some sales need a court order first. We buy inherited houses as-is, clean-out included, and close on the estate's timeline.
How probate works in Florida, step by step
The stages below follow the Florida Statutes. Each county's Circuit Court, Clerk and Tax Collector handle the local steps — pick your area below for those details.
Open probate
A petition is filed in the probate division of the county Circuit Court. The court decides between summary administration and formal administration.
Summary or formal
Summary administration is available if the estate subject to administration (less exempt property) is $75,000 or less, or the person died more than two years ago (s. 735.201).
Personal representative
In formal administration the court issues Letters of Administration naming the personal representative, who can then act for the estate.
Creditor period
Notice to creditors is published; most claims must be filed within 3 months of first publication (s. 733.702).
Sell the house
If the will grants a power of sale, the personal representative can usually sell; otherwise the court may need to approve it. Protected homestead follows special rules.
Every option, honestly compared
Move in or keep it
An heir can keep the house if the others agree, but taxes, insurance and upkeep start immediately.
Rent it out
Creates income but adds landlord work, repairs, and vacancy risk while the estate is open.
List with an agent
Usually means cleaning out, repairs, and showings before closing.
Sell for cash as-is
Leave behind what you don't want. We handle the clean-out and close when the court and the estate are ready.
Probate & Inherited Houses help by county and city
Local pages include the court, Clerk and neighborhoods for each area.
Brevard County · 18th Circuit
Charlotte County · 20th Circuit
Citrus County · 5th Circuit
Collier County · 20th Circuit
Duval County · 4th Circuit
Escambia County · 1st Circuit
Hillsborough County · 13th Circuit
Lake County · 5th Circuit
Lee County · 20th Circuit
Manatee County · 12th Circuit
Marion County · 5th Circuit
Miami-Dade County · 11th Circuit
Orange County · 9th Circuit
Palm Beach County · 15th Circuit
Pasco County · 6th Circuit
Pinellas County · 6th Circuit
Sarasota County · 12th Circuit
Sumter County · 5th Circuit
Volusia County · 7th Circuit
Three steps. Your schedule.
No listing, no staging, and no strangers walking through your Florida house. Here's the whole process.
Tell us about the house
Share the address and a few details online or by phone. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
Get a written cash offer
We review the property and recent nearby sales and send a no-obligation cash offer, usually within 24 hours.
Pick your closing date
Close in as little as 7 days through a Florida title company, or pick a later date. We cover normal closing costs.
Cash sale vs. listing with an agent
If time, repairs or certainty matter more than squeezing out top dollar, this is the trade-off.
| Traditional sale | QuikCashOffers | |
|---|---|---|
| Repairs before selling | Usually expected | None — sold as-is |
| Agent commissions | Often 5–6% | $0 |
| Showings and open houses | Weeks or months | None |
| Time to close | 30–60+ days after a contract | As little as 7 days |
| Financing risk | Buyer's loan can fall through | Cash — no loan needed |
| Closing costs | Often split or paid by seller | Normal costs covered by us |
Florida probate questions
Can I sell a house before probate is finished in Florida?
Often, yes. Once the court appoints a personal representative they can sign for the estate, though some sales need a court order. Your probate attorney will confirm what's needed.
What is summary administration in Florida?
A shorter probate process for estates of $75,000 or less (not counting exempt property) or where the person died more than two years ago (s. 735.201, Fla. Stat.).
Do I have to clean out the house first?
No. We buy inherited houses with the contents. Take what you want and leave the rest.
What if the house was the person's homestead?
Florida homestead has special protections and can pass outside the normal creditor process. The rules depend on whether there was a surviving spouse or minor child, so check with the estate's attorney.
Do you buy in every Florida county?
We focus on the counties and cities listed on this page and review other Florida addresses case by case. Submit the address and we'll tell you within a day.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide summarizes Florida law in plain English. For advice about your case, talk to a Florida attorney.
Get a cash offer on an inherited or probate house anywhere in Florida.
Two minutes to submit and a written offer within 24 hours.