Access Deerfield Beach Probate Court Records

Deerfield Beach 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 Deerfield Beach estates. This page covers how to search records, who to contact at the clerk's office, what case types apply, what fees to expect, and where to find local legal help.

Which County Handles Probate for Deerfield Beach

Deerfield Beach is in Broward County. All probate cases for Deerfield Beach residents are filed with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Florida law requires probate to be opened in the county where the deceased lived at the time of death, so Broward County is the correct jurisdiction for most Deerfield Beach estates.

The Broward County Courthouse is in Fort Lauderdale, about 13 miles south of Deerfield Beach. There is no probate branch office in Deerfield Beach. Filings can be submitted in person at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse, by mail for some document types, or through the clerk's online portal at browardclerk.org.

The 17th Judicial Circuit serves only Broward County. It processes one of the highest volumes of probate cases in Florida. Given that Deerfield Beach has a significant retiree population, the clerk's office regularly handles estates from this city.

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

How to Search Deerfield Beach Probate Records

The Broward County Clerk provides an online case search at browardclerk.org. You can search probate cases by decedent name, case number, or filing date. Most probate records in Florida are public. Inventories and accountings are confidential under state law and are not viewable in public search results.

To run a search, you need at least the decedent's last name. Knowing the approximate year of death helps narrow results quickly. Case numbers follow the Florida statewide format: a two-digit year, the Broward County code, and a sequence number.

The 17th Judicial Circuit's website at 17th.flcourts.org provides additional information about how probate cases are managed in Broward County, including judge assignments and hearing schedules.

The 17th Circuit court portal lists case and scheduling information for all Broward County probate matters, including those filed for Deerfield Beach residents.

The circuit court's site is a useful reference for understanding how probate cases move through the Broward County system before you file.

Certified copies of probate documents must be requested from the clerk. You can do this in person in Fort Lauderdale, by mail, or through the online portal for some document types. There is a per-page copy fee and a per-document certification fee. Current amounts are posted on the clerk's website.

Deerfield Beach city offices do not hold any probate records. All filings are maintained by the Broward County Clerk. The city website provides general municipal information only.

The Deerfield Beach city homepage covers city services. For court records, go directly to the Broward County Clerk at browardclerk.org.

The city site is useful for local municipal services. Probate case records are filed and stored at the county level, not with the city.

The Broward County Clerk's online portal is the primary tool for searching probate records and requesting documents for Deerfield Beach estates.

The clerk's site at browardclerk.org provides case search, document requests, and current fee information for all Broward County probate filings.

Types of Probate Cases Filed in Broward County

Florida law gives families several ways to handle an estate after someone dies. The right choice depends on the value of the estate and when the person died. All of the following case types are filed through the Broward County Clerk for Deerfield Beach residents.

Formal Administration is required when the non-exempt assets of the estate exceed $75,000. This is the complete probate process: a petition is filed, a personal representative is appointed, known creditors are notified, a confidential inventory is filed, valid claims are paid, and the court approves a final distribution before the estate is closed. It typically takes six months to over a year.

Summary Administration applies when the estate is worth $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years regardless of value. It is shorter and less costly. The court can approve the petition without appointing a personal representative in most cases. A straightforward summary administration can sometimes close in a matter of weeks.

Disposition Without Administration is the most basic option. It is available only when there is no real property, the only debts are funeral and medical expenses, and total assets are under $6,000. This is handled at the clerk's counter and does not require a hearing before a judge.

Florida Statute 732.901 requires that any will be deposited with the clerk within 10 days of the testator's death. This applies even when no probate will be opened. The clerk holds the will as a public record. Any person may inspect a will that has been deposited with the clerk.

Deerfield Beach does not have its own probate court or city-level probate process. All case types listed above go through the Broward County Clerk at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse.

Probate Filing Fees in Broward County

Broward County follows Florida's standard probate fee structure. State law sets base filing fees, which are consistent across counties. Some local surcharges may vary slightly.

For formal administration, the filing fee runs around $400 or more depending on the number of documents and the complexity of the estate. Summary administration petitions generally cost between $235 and $300. Additional costs include certified copies, recording fees, and the cost of publishing a notice to creditors in a Broward County newspaper.

If the court requires a bond for the personal representative, the bond premium depends on the size of the estate. Florida statute sets attorney fees for probate at 3% of the first $1 million in gross estate value, with a sliding scale above that. These statutory fees are separate from court filing costs.

Fees can change. Always confirm current amounts with the Broward County Clerk before filing. The fee schedule is available on the clerk's website at browardclerk.org.

Legal Resources for Deerfield Beach Residents

Several resources are available if you need help with a probate case in Deerfield Beach. The Broward County Bar Association has 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. They handle some probate matters depending on case type and eligibility. Their main office is in Fort Lauderdale at (954) 765-8950. Deerfield Beach is within their service area.

The Florida Bar's Find a Lawyer tool at floridabar.org lets you search for probate attorneys by county. Filter by Broward County to find attorneys with experience in 17th Circuit probate matters who serve Deerfield Beach.

Florida's probate statutes are in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes, available at leg.state.fl.us. Reading the key sections before you file helps set clear expectations about what steps are required and how long the process takes.

The 17th Circuit maintains self-help resources for people handling simple probate matters on their own. These are available on the court's website and at the courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.

The Probate Process for Deerfield Beach Estates

When someone who lives in Deerfield Beach dies with assets that require probate, the process begins at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Here is how formal administration typically unfolds.

First, if there is a will, it must be filed with the clerk within 10 days of death. A petition for administration is then filed along with the death certificate and a proposed appointment of a personal representative. The court reviews the filing and, if approved, issues letters of administration. These letters give the personal representative legal authority to manage and distribute the estate.

After appointment, the personal representative notifies all known creditors directly and publishes a notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Broward County. Creditors have three months from the first date of publication to file claims. The personal representative also files a confidential inventory of estate assets with the court. The inventory cannot be viewed by the public.

Once the creditor period closes, valid claims are paid from estate funds. The personal representative then files a final accounting and petitions the court for discharge. The court reviews the accounting and, if satisfied, enters an order closing the estate and discharging the personal representative from all further duties.

Summary administration is much simpler. A petition and a proposed distribution order are filed together. If the court approves, assets can transfer within a few weeks. No personal representative appointment is required, and there is generally no creditor publication period.

Deerfield Beach has a substantial retiree population, which means probate cases are common in this area. For small, clean estates, summary administration without an attorney is possible. For formal administration or any case involving disputes among family members, a probate attorney with 17th Circuit experience is a practical investment.

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