Search Davie Probate Court Records

Probate court records for Davie, Florida are handled through Broward County and the 17th Judicial Circuit. When someone who lived in Davie dies with property in their name, the estate goes through the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Clerk Brenda Forman's office processes all probate filings for the county, and records are searchable online. This page explains how the process works, what it costs, what types of cases exist, and where Davie residents can get help. Whether you need to open an estate or just find an old probate case, this is a good place to start.

Which County Handles Probate for Davie

Davie is in Broward County. Probate for all Davie residents is handled at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. The county is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Clerk of Courts Brenda Forman runs the probate division along with all other civil court filings.

The courthouse is in downtown Fort Lauderdale, about 8 miles east of Davie. If you need to file in person or pick up certified copies, allow time for parking and security. The probate division handles formal administrations, summary administrations, ancillary estates, and guardianship matters. For a full breakdown of county procedures, see the Broward County probate records page.

The 17th Circuit Court's general site is at 17th.flcourts.org and covers court procedures, forms, and local rules that apply to Broward County probate cases.

Davie town offices at davie-fl.gov do not handle probate but can provide residency records and other local documentation that may support a probate filing.

How to Search Probate Records

Broward County Clerk Brenda Forman maintains an online case search system. Anyone can use it for free. You search by the name of the deceased person or by a case number. The system shows case status, party names, filing dates, and docket entries. Most entries include document images you can view online. Some financial records in estate cases are confidential under Florida law, but the basic case information is public.

To search, go to browardclerk.org and find the online case search or records search section. Enter the name of the deceased and filter by case type if the system allows it. Probate cases in Broward County use a specific case number format, so you may find cases listed under the decedent's last name along with a year and sequence number.

If the case is old or not in the online system, call (954) 831-6565 to request a manual search. The clerk's staff can look up older physical records. If you need copies, bring ID and expect to pay per-page fees. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and are often needed for legal or financial matters tied to the estate.

The 17th Circuit site at 17th.flcourts.org also links to case search tools and provides information on local rules that affect how cases proceed.

Types of Probate Cases in Davie

Florida law provides three main ways to handle an estate. Which one applies to a Davie resident's estate depends on what they owned, its total value, and when they died.

Formal Administration applies to estates worth more than $75,000. This is the full probate process. The court appoints a personal representative, who then collects assets, pays debts, files an inventory, and eventually distributes what remains to heirs. Creditors get at least three months to file claims. Florida law generally requires an attorney for formal administrations unless the personal representative is the sole heir.

Summary Administration is the shorter path for smaller estates. If the estate's total probate assets are $75,000 or less, or if the person died more than two years ago, the family can file a petition for summary administration. No personal representative is formally appointed. The court reviews the petition and enters an order distributing assets. This can wrap up in a matter of weeks.

Disposition Without Administration is for very small situations. If the deceased had no real property, and the only assets are funds needed to pay funeral and final medical bills, and the total is under $6,000, no formal probate may be needed. A court order can release those funds directly.

Assets that pass outside of probate include jointly held property, retirement accounts and IRAs with named beneficiaries, life insurance proceeds, and anything held in a living trust. Knowing what is in probate and what passes automatically can save time and legal fees.

Filing Fees for Broward County Probate

Filing fees for probate in Broward County follow the Florida state fee schedule. The fee depends on the gross value of the estate's probate assets.

Estates up to $1,000 pay $235. Estates between $1,001 and $2,500 pay $270. From $2,501 to $10,000, the fee is $300. Estates from $10,001 to $25,000 pay $355. From $25,001 to $75,000, the fee is $405. For estates over $75,000, the base fee is $405 plus $3.00 for each $1,000 over $75,000, up to a set cap.

Beyond the initial filing fee, expect costs for recording the final judgment, publishing a notice to creditors in a Broward County newspaper, and obtaining certified copies of court orders. Attorneys' fees in Florida probate are governed by statute and are based on the estate's value, though parties can agree to different arrangements.

Confirm current fees with the Broward Clerk's office before filing. Call (954) 831-6565 or visit browardclerk.org to get the latest fee schedule.

Wills and Filing Requirements

Any person who has a will in their possession must file it with the clerk of the circuit court within 10 days of learning of the testator's death. This rule comes from Florida Statutes section 732.901. It applies to Davie residents just like everywhere else in the state. Filing the will does not open a probate case. It just places the document on record.

Once filed, wills become public records. Anyone can request a copy. If probate is opened later, the will becomes part of that case file. If no probate is opened, the will still sits on record at the Broward County Courthouse and can be accessed by interested parties.

The full Florida Probate Code is in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes. These chapters cover everything from who can be a personal representative to how debts are paid and how disputes are resolved. The 17th Circuit follows this code plus its own local administrative rules, which are posted at 17th.flcourts.org.

Legal Help for Davie Residents

Davie residents dealing with a probate matter have several options for legal help. Knowing where to look can save both time and money.

The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service at floridabar.org. You can search for probate attorneys in Broward County, read about their backgrounds, and get a referral. The Bar also has resources for verifying attorney licenses and filing complaints if needed.

Legal Aid Service of Broward County provides free civil legal services to low-income residents. Visit legalaid.org to find out if you qualify and to request help. Probate matters involving very small estates or situations where a surviving spouse or minor child needs protection may qualify for legal aid assistance.

The 17th Circuit has a self-help center at the courthouse where staff can help unrepresented people understand court forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can explain what you need to file and where to find the right forms. Check 17th.flcourts.org for self-help center hours and services.

Florida Courts' statewide self-help site at flcourts.gov has downloadable probate forms and plain-language guides. This is a good starting point for families trying to understand the process before hiring an attorney or deciding whether they need one.

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The 17th Judicial Circuit Court website at 17th.flcourts.org serves Broward County and includes local rules, forms, and case information that apply to Davie probate matters.

The Broward County Clerk of Courts at browardclerk.org is the main filing and records site for all Davie estate cases, with an online search portal open to the public.

The Town of Davie's official website at davie-fl.gov provides local government contact details and community resources for residents navigating the probate process.

Records from all three of these sources can help when building a complete picture of a Davie estate case.

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