Disposition Without Administration
Final-expense reimbursement. No probate proceeding.
Disposition without administration is the smallest, simplest path through Florida "probate" — and technically it isn't probate at all. There's no court proceeding, no PR appointment, no creditor period. It's a one-time petition that lets a family member recover the cost of final expenses (funeral, burial, last illness) directly, when the estate is otherwise just exempt property.
The use case is narrow but real. If the only non-exempt asset in the estate is a small bank account — say, $3,000 — and you paid $5,000 for the funeral, you can file for disposition. The court orders the bank to release the funds to you to reimburse those expenses. No probate opened. No estate administered. Done.
Most people don't qualify for this path — it's intentionally limited. But when it fits, it's the cheapest, fastest option Florida offers.
Who qualifies
- Non-exempt assets total less than the cost of final expenses (funeral, burial, last 60 days of medical care)
- OR all non-exempt assets are under $6,000 AND there are no creditor disputes
- You (the petitioner) actually paid the final expenses and have receipts
- No real property in the estate (this path doesn't transfer real estate)
What we handle
Your flat fee covers everything below. No surprise invoices, no “billable hours” anxiety — the price is the price.
- Verify your facts qualify under FS 735.301
- Draft the Petition for Disposition Without Administration
- Attach receipts and proof of payment for final expenses
- File with the court — usually one filing, no hearing
- Order from the court directing release of funds
- Coordinate with the bank or holder to release assets to you
How it works, step by step
- 01Free consult — confirm fit
We check the assets, the expenses, and your standing. Most calls take 15 minutes. If disposition fits, we move straight to engagement. If it doesn't, we'll tell you which path does.
We handleHonest about whether disposition is right — we'll route you to summary or formal if those fit better. - 02Gather receipts + petition
You send us the funeral bill, the medical bills, proof of payment. We draft the petition with everything attached. You sign electronically.
We handleEncrypted upload portal. We confirm everything within a day. - 03File + court order
We file the petition. Most counties process in 2–6 weeks without a hearing. The court issues an order directing the bank or holder to release funds.
We handleWe track the docket and update you weekly. - 04Funds released — done
We send the order to the bank. Funds release to you, usually within a week. Closing letter follows.
We handleWe coordinate with the bank directly when they're cooperative — fewer phone trees for you.
What we watch for
Easy on people, tough on problems. These are the things that catch families off guard — we've seen them all and we plan around them.
- Real estate in the estate. Disposition can't transfer title to a house. If there's any real property, you need summary or formal administration.
- Receipts you don't have. The court needs proof of payment for the expenses you're claiming. Cash payments without receipts are difficult to substantiate.
- Creditors with valid claims. If a credit card or hospital wants payment, disposition isn't designed to address them. Summary administration with notice to creditors is usually the right path.
Questions families ask us
Disposition is the right path for a small set of estates — usually a parent or spouse with very limited assets and a funeral bill that exceeds them. If that's your situation, we'll get it filed quickly and at a price that doesn't add to what's already a hard month.