Broward County, FL Consumer Law

Tools and Resources 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 (Probate 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 from the Florida probate court website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Florida: Learn how to use Florida's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Michigan  you can use an Affidavit if the estate does not include real property and the value of the entire estate, less liens and encumbrances, is less than $24,000 (adjusted for inflation).  There is a 28-day waiting period.

    Mich. Comp. Laws 700.3983.

    There is also a summary probate procedure for estates with a value of $15,000 or less, after payment of funeral and burial costs, or if the value of the entire estate, less liens or encumbrances, doesn't exceed the homestead allowance, exempt property, family allowance, and costs of administration, funeral expenses, and last illness expenses.

    Mich. Comp. Laws 700.3987.

• Florida Estate Taxes:

  • Florida, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• 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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Florida Wage & Hour Law

• Florida Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in Michigan is $10.33 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in The Wolverine State must be paid at least $10.33 an hour. 

    Broward County Minimum Wage

    The minimum wage in Broward County is $10.33 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 $10.33 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. 

  • Learn more about Michigan’s minimum wage at https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-94422_59886_27909---,00.html.

• 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.

  • If you work more than 40 hours in a workweek, your employer must pay you 1-1/2 times your regular hourly wage for each overtime hour you work, unless you are exempt. See Minimum Wage and Overtime, at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity website, for more information on Michigan's overtime rules and exemptions. 

• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Florida. 

  • The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has posted an information page with links to wage claim forms and instructions at its website. 

• 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 $3.93 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $10.33 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.

• State Labor Board:
  • Learn more about your rights under Florida law from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. 517-284-7800

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Florida Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Florida: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • In Florida, unemployment benefits range from $157 per week to $362 per week.
  • Formula:

    In Michigan, your weekly benefit amount will be your wages during the highest paid quarter of the base period multiplied by 4.1% (.041). 

  • Duration:

    In Michigan, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 20 weeks. This was extended to 26 weeks for a period of time during the pandemic, but has since reverted to 20 weeks. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Florida.
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• Free Florida MEANS TEST CALCULATOR for Broward County (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• Free 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. 
• 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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Child Custody & Family Courts in Florida 

• State Standards For Custody Decisions: How Florida Courts make child custody decisions
• Family Court for Broward County: Broward County Family Court information, including maps, forms and links.
• Enforcement of Custody Orders: Can you enlist local police to help enforce a custody court order?
• Child Custody Lawyers: To help you handle your child custody matters.

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Florida Obamacare

• Sign Up: We have the latest on how to sign up for Obamacare Insurance in Florida!
• Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Florida? Learn about whether Florida imposes tax penalties for not having health insurance.
• Special Enrollment Periods: How to enroll because of a "special enrollment period."
• Rates & Providers in Your County: Information and rates for providers for Broward County if you live in a state served by Healthcare.gov.

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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.
• 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 

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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

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