Quick answer: disposition without administration is Florida's fastest option, for estates small enough that non-exempt assets don't exceed funeral and last-60-day medical costs. Summary administration covers non-exempt estates of $150,000 or less, or deaths over two years old. Formal administration under Chapter 733 handles everything else, with the mandatory 3-month creditor period. See how this affects your own estimate in the Florida probate timeline calculator.
Side by side
| Formal | Summary | Disposition w/o admin. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal representative appointed | Yes | No | No |
| Eligibility | Default, no size limit | Non-exempt estate ≤ $150,000, or death >2 yrs ago | Non-exempt assets ≤ funeral + last 60-day medical costs |
| Creditor claim period required | Yes, mandatory 3 months | No | No |
| Attorney generally required | Yes, unless sole interested person | Often not required | Not required |
| Typical timeline | 6–12 months | 4–8 weeks | ~30 days |
Formal administration is the default
Summary administration: the $150,000 line
Effective July 1, 2026, summary administration under § 735.201 covers non-exempt probate estates of $150,000 or less, up from the previous $75,000 threshold — or any estate where the decedent has been dead more than two years, regardless of value. No personal representative is appointed, which is the main reason it moves so much faster than formal administration.
Disposition without administration: the narrowest door
Under § 735.301, this option has no fixed dollar cap tied to estate size — instead, it applies when non-exempt personal property doesn't exceed the decedent's funeral expenses and the medical costs of their final 60 days. The court authorizes payment of those specific expenses directly, with no personal representative, no formal inventory, and no creditor claims period at all.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.