A plain-English guide for families
Inherited a property in Florida?
When a parent or relative passes away, their home doesn't automatically become yours on paper. Here's what usually happens, what can go wrong, and what your options are.
Who inherits the property
If there's a will, it usually decides. If there isn't one, Florida law decides. In most cases the property goes to the spouse and/or the children. If there are none, it goes to parents, then brothers and sisters, and so on.
It's common for several relatives to end up owning a share of the same house, sometimes without knowing it.
Why the deed is still in their name
The county records keep showing the person who passed away as the owner until the property is formally transferred. That usually happens through probate, a court process that confirms who the heirs are and gives them legal title.
Many families never open probate. Money is tight, relatives live far apart, or no one knows where to start. Years later, the house is still in a deceased person's name.
Why this matters: until the title is cleared, the property usually can't be sold, refinanced or insured the normal way, even if everyone in the family agrees.
How probate works, briefly
Florida has a shorter process, called summary administration, that is often used for smaller estates or when the person passed away more than two years ago. Larger or more complicated estates go through formal administration, which takes longer. A probate attorney can tell you which one fits your family.
What happens if nothing is done
- Property taxes keep adding up. After a couple of years unpaid, the property can be sold at a county tax deed auction, and the family can lose it.
- Empty homes get city code fines for things like tall grass or repairs, and those fines can turn into liens.
- The house loses value as it sits, and more heirs get added to the picture as years pass.
Your options
- Keep it. Work with a Florida probate attorney to clear the title in your name.
- Sell it the usual way. Clear the title first, then list it with a real estate agent.
- Sell it as-is to us. We buy the property, or your share of it, and pay all the legal costs to clear it.
We'll go through each option with you honestly, even if it means we don't end up buying.
Why someone from our team may have called you
Property, probate and tax records are public. When a property has a title problem, we research who has a legal connection to it, and your name came up as an owner or a likely heir.
Our call is not a bill, a lawsuit or a deadline. You don't owe us anything, and nothing happens if you'd rather not talk.
To check that the call was really us, call the number on this website: (786) 423-2399. We will never ask for money, a bank account number or your Social Security number on a first call.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every family's situation is different, and a Florida attorney can tell you how the law applies to yours.
Tell us about your situation
We'll look into it and get back to you. There's no cost and no obligation, and you decide what happens next.
- Call or text(786) 423-2399
- Emailyuri.gomez@golandsgroup.com
¿Prefiere hablar en español? Llámenos o escríbanos. Hablamos español.