Find Probate Court Records in Sunrise

Sunrise 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 Sunrise. This page explains how to file, how to search existing records, what the different case types cost, and where to find local legal help.

Which County Handles Probate for Sunrise

Sunrise is in Broward County. All probate cases for Sunrise residents are filed with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Under Florida law, probate must be opened in the county where the decedent lived at the time of death, so Broward County is the right jurisdiction for most Sunrise estates.

The Broward County Courthouse is located in Fort Lauderdale, about 10 miles southeast of Sunrise. There is no probate branch office in Sunrise itself. Filings can be submitted in person in Fort Lauderdale, by mail for certain document types, or through the clerk's online portal at browardclerk.org.

The 17th Judicial Circuit serves Broward County exclusively. It handles one of the highest volumes of probate cases in Florida each year, given the county's large population and the number of retirees who live in cities like Sunrise.

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

How to Search Sunrise Probate Records

The Broward County Clerk operates an online case search at browardclerk.org. You can look up probate cases by decedent name, case number, or filing date. Most probate filings are public record in Florida. Inventories and accountings are an exception — those are confidential under state law and not viewable by the public.

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

The 17th Judicial Circuit's website also contains useful information about how cases move through the Broward County court system, including probate case schedules and judge assignments.

The 17th Circuit court portal provides case and scheduling information for all Broward County probate filings, including those opened for Sunrise residents.

The circuit court's site is a useful starting point for understanding how probate cases are managed in Broward County before you file.

If you need certified copies of any probate documents, you must request them from the clerk. Requests can be made in person, 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 listed on the clerk's website.

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

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

Types of Probate Cases Filed in Broward County

Florida law provides several ways to handle an estate, and the right choice depends on the estate's value and when the person died. For Sunrise residents, all of the following types are filed through the Broward County Clerk.

Formal Administration is required when the non-exempt assets of the estate exceed $75,000. This is the complete probate process. It involves appointing a personal representative, notifying creditors, filing a confidential inventory, paying valid claims, and getting court approval for the final distribution. It typically takes six months to more than a year to complete.

Summary Administration is available when the estate value is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years regardless of value. It is faster and less expensive. The court can approve the petition without appointing a personal representative in most cases, and the process can sometimes wrap up within a few weeks.

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

Under Florida Statute 732.901, a will must be deposited with the clerk within 10 days of the testator's death. This is required even if no formal probate is opened. The clerk holds the will as a public record. Anyone may inspect a will on file with the clerk.

Probate Filing Fees in Broward County

Broward County follows Florida's standard probate fee structure. State law sets the base fees, though some local surcharges may apply. Here is what to expect when opening a probate case for a Sunrise estate.

Formal administration filing fees run around $400 or more, depending on the estate's complexity and the number of documents filed. Summary administration petitions generally cost between $235 and $300 to file. On top of these filing fees, you will also pay for certified copies, recording fees, and the cost of publishing a notice to creditors in a local newspaper.

If the court requires a bond for the personal representative, the premium is based on the size of the estate. Attorney fees in Florida probate are set by statute. They start at 3% of the first $1 million in gross estate value. These statutory fees are separate from court filing costs.

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

Legal Resources for Sunrise Residents

Several resources are available if you need help with a probate case in Sunrise. 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 the case. Their main office is in Fort Lauderdale and can be reached at (954) 765-8950. Given Sunrise's proximity to Fort Lauderdale, getting to their office is straightforward.

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 who handle estate cases in and around Sunrise.

Florida probate law is covered in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes. These are publicly available at leg.state.fl.us. Reading the applicable sections helps you understand what steps are required before you start filing.

The 17th Circuit also maintains self-help resources for people who want to handle straightforward probate matters without an attorney. These are available on the court's website and at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.

The Probate Process for Sunrise Estates

When someone who lives in Sunrise dies with assets that require probate, the process begins at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Here is a general outline of how formal administration works.

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

After appointment, the personal representative must notify all known creditors directly and publish a notice to creditors in a Broward County newspaper. Creditors then have three months from the date of first publication to file claims. An inventory of all estate assets must also be filed with the court. The inventory is confidential and cannot be viewed by the public.

Once the creditor period ends, the personal representative pays valid claims from estate funds. Then a final accounting is filed along with a petition for discharge. The court reviews the accounting and, if satisfied, enters an order discharging the personal representative and closing the estate.

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

For small, clean estates in Sunrise, summary administration without an attorney is possible. For larger estates or anything involving disputes, a probate attorney familiar with the 17th Circuit can save time and help avoid costly mistakes.

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