Access Miramar Probate Court Records

Miramar probate court records are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts under the 17th Judicial Circuit. When someone who lived in Miramar dies and their estate goes through the Florida probate process, all filings are recorded at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. This page covers how to search those records, what procedures apply in Broward County, what kinds of probate cases are filed, and how to get copies of estate documents.

Where Miramar Probate Cases Are Filed

Miramar is a city in Broward County, so probate matters are handled by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. There is no local probate division within Miramar. All petitions, wills, and estate documents must be filed at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale or submitted through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal for attorney accounts. Clerk Brenda Forman has overseen the office for many years and manages all civil and probate filings for the county.

The 17th Judicial Circuit serves only Broward County. It is one of Florida's busier circuits. Miramar, at over 140,000 residents, is the third-largest city in Broward County. The circuit court's probate division reviews formal administration cases, approves summary administrations, and handles guardianship petitions. Cases are assigned to probate judges on rotation. The clerk's office tracks case assignments and can tell you which judge is handling a specific estate.

The Broward County probate records page has additional detail on all filing locations, division contacts, and county-level resources.

How to Search Miramar Probate Records

Start at the Broward County Clerk's website at browardclerk.org. The public case search tool lets you enter a decedent's name or a case number to find probate filings. Results include the case name, type, filing date, and a list of docket entries. Many documents are available to view or download directly from the docket. Older cases may only be available in person.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com provides another access point. This statewide system allows docket searches across participating counties. Basic docket lookups do not require an account. To view document images, you may need to visit the courthouse or request certified copies through the clerk.

If you know only the deceased's name but not the case number, search by last name first. The clerk's system will return all matching cases. If the estate case was filed in a different county, you will need to contact that county's clerk. Florida probate is filed in the county where the deceased was a resident at the time of death, not necessarily where they owned property.

The 17th Judicial Circuit's website at 17th.flcourts.org posts local administrative orders and court notices. These can affect procedures in Miramar probate cases, so it is worth checking for any recent orders before you file.

The image below shows the 17th Circuit's public website, which is the judicial authority overseeing all Miramar estate cases heard in Broward County.

The 17th Judicial Circuit court website provides local administrative orders, court calendars, and links to the probate division for Broward County.

Administrative orders on this site outline local rules for filing, hearing schedules, and any special procedures that apply in Miramar probate cases.

Types of Probate Cases in Broward County

Florida law under Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes sets out how estates must be handled. The right type of probate depends on the size of the estate and how long the person has been dead.

Formal administration is the full probate process. Use it when the estate is worth more than $75,000. A personal representative is appointed by the court to manage the estate. The rep must publish a notice to creditors, create an inventory of all assets, pay valid debts, and distribute what remains. Florida law requires an attorney in most formal administration cases. The minimum time frame is six months. Contested cases take longer.

Summary administration is a shorter process available when the gross estate value is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent died more than two years ago. No personal representative is appointed. The court issues an order directing how assets should be transferred to heirs. This path is popular for smaller Miramar estates and can be completed in a matter of weeks rather than months when there are no complications.

Disposition without administration is the most basic option. It applies only when the estate has no real property and the total assets are limited to covering final medical and funeral expenses, under $6,000 in total. The clerk handles this at the counter level without a full court proceeding. It is not widely used but can be efficient for very small estates.

Ancillary administration comes up when a person who lived outside Florida died owning real property in Broward County. A secondary Florida probate proceeding is needed to transfer the Florida property, while the primary administration happens in the decedent's home state.

Fees for Miramar Probate Filings

Broward County clerk fees are set by a combination of Florida statutes and local fee schedules. The figures below are typical ranges. Always confirm current amounts with the clerk's office before filing, since fees do change.

Formal administration cases carry an opening fee that often runs $400 or more, depending on the estimated value of the estate. After opening, each subsequent filing has its own charge. Certified copies of court documents run around $1.00 to $2.00 per page, plus a per-document certification fee. Exemplified copies, which some title companies and out-of-state agencies require, cost more than certified copies.

Summary administration is cheaper to open. Expect a range of $235 to $400 for the initial petition. The clerk can give you the exact current fee when you call or visit. You may also need certified copies of the summary administration order to transfer bank accounts or vehicles, so factor in copy fees.

Disposition without administration carries a smaller fee, usually under $100. Call (954) 831-6565 to confirm the current amount before you arrive.

Fee waivers exist for people who qualify as low-income. Submit an affidavit of indigency with your filing. If the court approves it, the filing fee is waived. The clerk's office has affidavit forms available at the counter and sometimes on the website.

Below is a view of the Broward County Clerk's website, where you can verify current fees and download the forms needed to begin a Miramar probate case.

Visit browardclerk.org for updated Broward County probate filing fees, form downloads, and division-specific contact information.

The fee schedule page on this site is regularly updated and reflects the most current rates for probate and civil filings in Broward County.

Public Access to Probate Records

Florida's public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, makes most probate records open to anyone. Petitions, wills admitted to probate, court orders, inventories, and discharge documents are all public. You do not need to be related to the deceased or have a stake in the estate to request and copy these records.

A will deposited before the testator's death is confidential during their lifetime. After death, the person holding the will must deposit it with the circuit court clerk within 10 days. This is required under section 732.901 of the Florida Statutes. Once deposited and a probate case is opened, the will is part of the public record.

Certain items within documents may be redacted. Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers are often removed before public inspection. Some guardianship records are restricted. If a document is partially sealed, the clerk can tell you what is available and what is protected.

To get copies in person, bring a valid photo ID and the case number if you have it. For mail requests, write to the clerk's office with the case name, case number, the specific documents you want, your return address, and a check for the estimated fees. The clerk will mail the copies back to you.

Legal Resources for Miramar Residents

Legal Aid Service of Broward County provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents. Probate matters are among the case types they handle. Visit legalaidbroward.org to check eligibility and apply for help.

The Broward County Bar Association's lawyer referral service at browardbar.org can match you with a licensed probate attorney. Many offer a free or low-cost first meeting. The Florida Bar also operates a statewide referral service at floridabar.org.

The Florida Probate Code is available free at the Florida Legislature's website. The full code runs from Chapter 731 through Chapter 735. Reading Chapter 733 for formal administration or Chapter 735 for summary administration gives you a solid foundation before you hire anyone or file anything.

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