Fort Lauderdale Probate Records Search

Probate court records for Fort Lauderdale residents are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Broward County Courthouse on SE 6th Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale, which also serves as the county seat. When a Fort Lauderdale resident dies and their estate requires probate, the case is filed in Broward County under Florida's 17th Judicial Circuit. Fort Lauderdale is the circuit's seat, so residents have the advantage of courthouse access right in the city. This guide covers how to find probate records, what types of cases apply, what fees to expect, and where to get legal help in Broward County.

Broward County Clerk Manages Fort Lauderdale Probate

Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County, and all probate cases for Fort Lauderdale residents are filed with the Broward County Clerk of the Circuit Court at the courthouse on SE 6th Street. The clerk manages every stage of the records process: accepting filings, collecting fees, maintaining case files, and making records available for public review. Because Fort Lauderdale is the county seat, residents don't need to travel to a separate city to access the courthouse.

The 17th Judicial Circuit covers Broward County only. It does not span multiple counties the way many of Florida's circuits do. That means all probate cases in the county, from Fort Lauderdale to Pompano Beach to Davie to Deerfield Beach, go through the same courthouse and the same clerk's office. The probate division operates as part of the circuit court and circuit judges oversee the cases.

See the Broward County probate records page for full detail on county-level procedures.

The 17th Judicial Circuit Court's website covers the probate division, local administrative rules, and court calendars for all Broward County probate matters.

The 17th Circuit is one of Florida's busiest court systems and handles a large volume of probate filings each year across Broward County.

The Broward County Clerk's online system is the fastest way to search existing probate records without visiting in person.

The Broward County Clerk's public case search portal lets you find probate filings by name or case number.

Most case documents are available to view at no cost through the clerk's online portal, with copies available for a per-page fee.

How to Search Fort Lauderdale Probate Records

The Broward County Clerk maintains a public case search system at browardclerk.org. You can search by the name of the deceased, by the personal representative's name, or by case number. Most case dockets and documents are viewable online at no cost. The portal lets you see what has been filed, view documents as PDFs, and track the status of an open case without setting foot in the courthouse.

For in-person access, go to 201 SE 6th St in Fort Lauderdale. The clerk's probate counter can pull files and let you review them on-site. Bring the name of the deceased and an approximate date of death. If you need copies, the staff will make them and collect the fee before you leave.

Mail requests work too. Write to the clerk's office with the case name or number, describe what you need, and include a check or money order for estimated copy costs. The clerk will send documents or follow up if there's a balance owed. Call (954) 831-6565 to confirm the current copy rates before sending payment.

Certain probate documents are not public. Inventories and accountings are confidential under Florida law. The case docket, petitions, orders, and final judgment are generally public. If you're unsure what's accessible in a specific file, the clerk's staff can tell you which documents are open to review.

Types of Probate Cases Filed in Broward County

Florida sets three ways to handle an estate. The right path depends on the estate's total value and how long the person has been deceased.

Formal Administration is the standard route for estates over $75,000 in value. It's also required for smaller estates when the person died less than two years ago and doesn't qualify for a faster option. The court appoints a personal representative, creditors are notified by publication, claims are paid, and then the estate is distributed to the heirs. An attorney is required in most formal administration cases in Florida. The process takes at least six months, and often considerably longer when there are disputes, complex assets, or contested claims.

Summary Administration applies to estates of $75,000 or less, or to any estate when the person has been dead for more than two years. No personal representative is appointed. The court issues an order of summary administration directing how assets go to the people entitled to them. It's faster and cheaper than formal administration. Many attorneys in Fort Lauderdale handle summary cases on a flat fee.

Disposition Without Administration is reserved for very small estates with no real property, where the only assets are funds needed to cover funeral and final medical costs, and the total is under $6,000. This is a clerk-level process with no judge involved.

Broward County has a large retiree population and many long-time homeowners. Estates frequently include real property, which can push a case into formal administration territory even if liquid assets are modest. Assets held in living trusts or with named beneficiaries pass outside of probate and don't appear in the clerk's records at all.

Probate Filing Fees in Broward County

Florida sets base probate filing fees by statute, with local court costs added on top. For formal administration, the initial filing fee is generally around $400. Estates over $1 million pay higher fees on a sliding scale set by Florida law. The clerk's office can give you the current fee schedule when you call or visit.

Summary administration costs less to file. Expect to pay roughly $200 to $300 in most cases, though the exact amount depends on estate details and any applicable local costs. Disposition without administration is the cheapest option, typically under $100.

Copy fees are standard across Florida: $1.00 per page for plain copies and $2.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee for certified copies. Large estate files can run to many pages, so copy costs for a complete file can add up. If you only need specific documents, ask for those rather than requesting the entire file.

Beyond filing and copy fees, formal administration cases often involve costs for publication of the creditor notice, bond premiums if the court requires a bond, and attorney fees. Florida law sets an attorney fee schedule based on estate value, though parties can agree to other arrangements. Ask any attorney you hire to explain how their fees will be calculated before you sign anything.

Legal Resources in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County

Legal Aid Service of Broward County provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents, including help with probate matters. Eligible Fort Lauderdale residents can contact them to request help with estate cases. They have offices in the Fort Lauderdale area and handle a range of civil matters.

The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a licensed probate attorney in Broward County. Many Fort Lauderdale attorneys offer free initial consultations. Some handle summary administration cases for flat fees, which makes costs easier to plan when the estate is straightforward.

The Broward County Courthouse has resources for self-represented parties. The clerk's office staff can explain what forms are needed and how to file them, though they can't give legal advice. The Florida Bar publishes free consumer guides on probate that explain the process in plain language. These cover what to file, what fees to expect, and what happens at each step of the case.

Because Broward County is large and has a diverse population, there are many legal professionals who serve specific communities, including Spanish-speaking and Haitian Creole-speaking attorneys. If language is a concern, ask when you call a law office whether they have staff who speak your language.

Florida Probate Law and the Process in Broward County

Florida's probate rules are in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes, known as the Florida Probate Code. These chapters set out definitions, who can serve as a personal representative, how creditors get notice, how disputes are handled, and how assets are distributed when a case closes.

One rule applies immediately after a death. Any person holding a will must deposit it with the county clerk within 10 days of learning the person has died. This is true even if no probate case is ever going to be opened. The will becomes a public record once it's filed. This requirement comes from Florida Statutes section 732.901.

In formal administration, the personal representative must publish a notice to creditors in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks. Creditors then have 90 days from the first publication to file claims against the estate. After that window closes, the personal representative pays valid claims and distributes the remaining assets to beneficiaries. The circuit court reviews the final accounting and signs a discharge order before the case officially closes.

If someone dies without a will, Florida's intestacy statutes define who inherits. Surviving spouses, children, and other relatives take priority in a set order. The probate court applies these rules to make sure the right people get the right assets. Once the case closes, all case records remain on file with the Broward County Clerk as permanent public records.

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