Free Tools and Information
for Broward County, FL Consumers

Florida Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Florida PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Broward County: Key information about your local probate court (Circuit Court in Florida) for Broward County.
• How Probate Works in Florida: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Broward County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Florida Probate Forms and the
    • Florida State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Florida: Learn how to use Florida's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • You can use an Affidavit in Illinois for estates with less than $100,000, not counting liens or encumbrances (like a mortgage).

    755 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/25-1 and following.

    You can use a summary probate procedure for estates in which the value of the probate estate is less than $100,000. All heirs and benefiaries must consent in writing. 

    755 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/9-8 and following.

• Florida Estate Taxes:

  • The state of Illinois imposes an estate tax on property owned in Illinois. If you are inheriting property from the state of Illinois, it may be subject to estate tax if the overall value of the estate is more than $4,000,000.

• Avoiding Probate in Florida. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Broward County, Florida (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
• Florida BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Florida law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Florida?:  

    • No. 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/12-1201

  • Florida Homestead Exemption

    • Real or personal property including a farm, lot, & buildings, condo, co-op, or mobile home to $15,000 (husband and wife may double); sale proceeds exempt for 1 year

  • Florida Vehicle Exemption

    • $2,400

• Florida BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Democracy In Florida, Broward County, Fort Lauderdale 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Broward County, FL.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Florida Voter Registration Status: https://ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx
• Gerrymandering in Florida: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

 

Florida Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Florida: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $51 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $578 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Illinois, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks.

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Florida.
  • Illinois Department of Employment Security 
    • 800-244-5631
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

• Florida Wage & Hour Law

  • Florida Minimum Wage:  

    • The minimum wage in Illinois is $14 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Illinois must be paid at least $14 an hour.  

      Broward County Minimum Wage

      The minimum wage in Broward County is $14 an hour, the state minimum wage. Florida law prohibits city and county governments from adopting a local minimum wage that's higher than the state minimum wage. 

      Fort Lauderdale Minimum Wage

      The minimum wage in Fort Lauderdale is $14 an hour, the state minimum wage. Florida law prohibits city and county governments from adopting a local minimum wage that's higher than the state minimum wage. 

  • Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Florida and whether they apply to you.
  • Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Florida. 
  • Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Florida.

    • In Florida, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of no less than $8.40 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $14 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

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Find a Lawyer in Broward County, FL

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • Illinois Legal Aid Online 

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