Address: 6070 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33155 Phone: 305-985-4643 Opening a probate case is necessary when the person who has passed, (called a “decedent”), owned assets in his or her name alone. If the decedent owned property without any other names on the title or on the account, then a case must be opened to distribute the assets to the rightful heirs. An exception in some states is a motor vehicle. In Florida, it can be transferred to the decedent’s heirs by providing a certified copy of a death certificate to the DMV without opening an estate case. There are some other procedures available, which help streamline the probate process. If the estate meets certain requirements, a small estate or a summary administration may be possible. Just ask us how.