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What is Estate Probate and Trust Administration?

Estate administration is the legal process of managing and settling a person’s financial and legal affairs after they’ve passed away.

It includes:

Probate court proceedings (if there's a will or no estate plan)

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Managing and distributing trust assets

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Paying final debts, taxes, and expenses

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Transferring assets to the appropriate heirs or beneficiaries

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Probate & Trust Administration

Our Estate Administration Services

Probate Administration

File the will and open the probate case

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Notify creditors and manage claims

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Inventory and appraise assets

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Distribute assets according to the law or the will

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Prepare and manage all court filings and probate deadlines to keep the process on track

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Trust Administration

Guide successor trustees through their legal responsibilities

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Ensure timely, accurate distribution of trust assets

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Address tax filings and trust accounting

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Resolve disputes with clarity and care

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Communicate with beneficiaries to keep them informed and avoid misunderstandings

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Personal Representative & Trustee Guidance

Explain your legal duties

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Help you avoid liability

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Support with financial tasks and paperwork

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Resolve disputes with clarity and care

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Coordinate with financial advisors, accountants, and other professionals to ensure everything is handled properly

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Schedule a free consult to learn more

Avoiding Probate: Plan Ahead to Save Time, Cost & Stress

Probate can be lengthy, expensive, and emotionally draining—especially during a time of loss. The good news? With the right legal tools in place, your loved ones can avoid the court process entirely. At Sosa Legal, we help you create a seamless plan that keeps your estate private, efficient, and out of probate.

Here are three key strategies we use to help clients avoid probate:

Revocable Living Trusts

A living trust allows your assets to be transferred directly to your beneficiaries—without court involvement. You retain control during your lifetime, and after you pass, your chosen trustee steps in to manage and distribute everything according to your wishes.

Beneficiary Designations & POD Accounts

By naming payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiaries on accounts like bank accounts, life insurance, and retirement funds, you ensure those assets transfer directly—bypassing probate entirely.

Joint Ownership with Rights of Survivorship

For certain assets, such as a home or bank account, joint ownership can allow the asset to pass directly to the surviving owner without probate. It’s simple—but must be used strategically and with the right legal guidance.

Why Families Trust Horacio Sosa, P.A.

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20+ Years of Experience – Helping families plan, protect assets, and navigate legal challenges.

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Advanced Degrees in Tax & Estate Planning – Specialized training to handle even the most complex legal matters.

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Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney – Certified expertise in elder law.

Bilingual & Culturally Aware – Serving English- and Spanish-speaking families in South Florida.

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Local, Personalized Service – Unlike large firms, we offer a hands-on, personal approach to every case.

A Law Firm with a Heart – We take the time to listen, understand, and provide solutions tailored to your needs.

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Common Estate Administration Questions

  • On average, probate takes 6–12 months depending on the size and complexity of the estate.

  • Florida’s intestate succession laws will determine who inherits. We’ll help you navigate the process.

  • You can, but it’s often complex and time-consuming. Having legal guidance ensures nothing is missed and protects you from liability.

Kind words from our previous clients

  • Profile picture of a person with blonde hair, smiling, against a dark background, with an orange star badge in the lower right corner.

    We had the pleasure of working with this firm on my mother-in-law’s estate. Horacio and Alexandria were our primary contacts, and they handled everything efficiently, answering all of our questions with clarity and professionalism. As the lead attorney, Alexandria was compassionate, kind, and always willing to help. The entire team made the process smooth, and I would highly recommend this firm without hesitation.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Joslyn Varona

  • A woman with long brown hair is sitting indoors, wearing a black top. The photo has a circular frame.

    "...we couldn't be more satisfied with the service received. -- What impressed us the most was their commitment to their motto: "We Feel, We Love, We Care." These are not just words to them; they truly put them into practice in every interaction. -- I highly recommend the services of Horacio Sosa to anyone in need of advice and management. With them, you can be sure that you are in good hands, with professionals who truly feel, love, and care about you and your situation.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Margie Nino

  • Portrait of a woman with long dark hair, smiling, with an orange star icon in the corner.

    My name is Gloria Jensen I want to thank Mr Sosa for his great job , very trustable , his advices were excelente I always recommend him to my friends , I will always come to him if I need any job done

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gloria Jensen

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    "The office motto is “CARE”. They exceeded our expectations in providing legal services with care to our family. Atty. Sosa, Alexandra, and Gloria handled my father’s legal matters promptly, explained the process in great detail, and answered all our questions. We highly recommend this legal team."

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lisa Bates