Coral Springs Probate Court Records

Coral Springs residents file probate cases through Broward County, which is served by the 17th Judicial Circuit. The Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale handles all probate matters for the county, including estates opened in Coral Springs. This page covers how to find records, who to contact, what to expect in terms of fees, and how the process works for families dealing with an estate in this city.

Which County Handles Probate for Coral Springs

Coral Springs is in Broward County. All probate cases for residents of Coral Springs are filed with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Florida law requires that probate be opened in the county where the deceased person lived at the time of death, so Broward County is the right place to start for most Coral Springs estates.

The clerk's office accepts filings in person at the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. There is no branch office in Coral Springs itself, so you will need to travel to Fort Lauderdale or use mail-in options for certain documents. Online access to case records is available through the clerk's portal.

For more on Broward County probate procedures, fees, and local resources, see the Broward County probate records page.

How to Search Coral Springs Probate Records

The Broward County Clerk operates an online case search tool. You can look up probate cases by decedent name, case number, or filing date. Most probate filings are public record in Florida, though some documents like inventories and accountings are confidential under state law.

Visit the clerk's website at browardclerk.org and use the online records search. You will need at least the decedent's last name to start a search. Case numbers follow the format used statewide: two-digit year, county code, and sequence number.

The 17th Judicial Circuit's website also has information on how probate cases move through the court system. You can look up judge assignments and hearing schedules there as well.

The 17th Circuit court portal provides additional case information for Broward County probate filings.

The 17th Circuit serves Broward County exclusively and handles a high volume of probate cases each year given the county's large and older population.

If you need certified copies of probate documents, you must request them from the clerk's office directly. The clerk charges a fee per page for copies and an additional fee per document for certification. Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or through the online portal for some document types.

Types of Probate Cases Filed in Broward County

Florida law sets out several ways to handle an estate, and the right option depends on the size of the estate and how long ago the person died. For Coral Springs residents, all of the following types are filed through the Broward County Clerk.

Formal Administration is required when the estate's non-exempt assets are worth more than $75,000. This is the full probate process. It involves appointing a personal representative, notifying creditors, filing an inventory, and getting court approval before assets are distributed. It typically takes six months to a year or longer.

Summary Administration is available when the estate value is $75,000 or less, or when the person has been dead for more than two years. It is faster and less expensive than formal administration. The court can approve a petition without appointing a personal representative in most cases.

Disposition Without Administration is the simplest option. It applies only when there is no real property and the only debts are funeral and medical expenses, and the total assets are under $6,000. This is handled at the clerk's office and does not require a court hearing.

Wills must be filed with the clerk within 10 days of the testator's death under Florida Statute 732.901. This is true even if no probate is opened. The clerk holds the will as a public record.

The city of Coral Springs does not have its own probate division. All case types listed above are handled at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.

The Coral Springs city website provides general city services information separate from probate matters.

For probate matters, all filings and hearings take place at the county level, not through any city office.

Probate Filing Fees in Broward County

Broward County uses Florida's standard probate fee structure. Filing fees are set by the state and apply to all counties. Here is what to expect when opening a probate case in Broward for a Coral Springs estate.

For formal administration, the filing fee is typically around $400 or more depending on the estate size. Summary administration petitions carry a lower filing fee, generally in the $235 to $300 range. Additional fees apply for certified copies, recording fees, and notices to creditors published in a local newspaper.

Fees for the personal representative's bond, if required, depend on the size of the estate. Attorneys' fees in probate are set by Florida statute and are based on the gross value of the estate. Statutory fees start at 3% of the first $1 million in value.

You can get a current fee schedule from the Broward County Clerk's office or on their website. Fees do change, so confirm current amounts before filing.

The Broward County Clerk's online portal is the best source for up-to-date fee information.

The clerk's site lists current filing fees and instructions for submitting probate petitions in Broward County.

Legal Resources for Coral Springs Residents

If you need help with probate in Coral Springs, several local resources are available. The Broward County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a probate attorney. Call (954) 764-8040 or visit their website for more information.

Legal Aid Service of Broward County provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents. Probate assistance may be available depending on the case. Their main office is in Fort Lauderdale and they can be reached at (954) 765-8950.

The Florida Bar's Find a Lawyer tool at floridabar.org lets you search for probate attorneys by county. You can filter results to find lawyers who handle estate cases in Broward County.

The 17th Circuit also maintains self-help resources for people who need to handle simple probate matters without an attorney. These are available at the courthouse and on the court's website.

Florida's probate laws are found in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes. These are publicly available at leg.state.fl.us. Reading the relevant sections can help you understand what to expect before you file.

The Probate Process for Coral Springs Estates

When someone who lives in Coral Springs dies with assets that need to go through probate, the process starts at the Broward County Courthouse. Here is a general outline of how formal administration works.

First, the will (if there is one) must be filed with the clerk within 10 days of death. Then a petition for administration is filed along with the death certificate. The court appoints a personal representative, who must be qualified under Florida law. Non-residents can serve as personal representative only if they are a close relative.

After appointment, the personal representative notifies known creditors and publishes a notice to creditors in a local newspaper. Creditors have three months from the first publication to file claims. The personal representative files an inventory of assets with the court. This inventory is confidential.

Once the creditor period ends, valid claims are paid from estate funds. Then the personal representative files a final accounting and a petition for discharge. The court reviews and, if satisfied, closes the estate and discharges the personal representative.

Summary administration skips many of these steps. The petitioner files a petition and a proposed order for distribution. If the court approves, assets can be transferred quickly, sometimes within a few weeks.

Most Coral Springs families benefit from working with a probate attorney, especially for larger or more complex estates. But simple summary administrations are sometimes handled without legal help.

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