Find Probate Court Records in West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County and the home of the Palm Beach County Courthouse, which means probate cases for city residents are filed just steps from downtown. The 15th Judicial Circuit serves Palm Beach County exclusively, and the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts manages all probate filings. This guide explains how to find records, what cases look like, and what to expect when dealing with an estate in West Palm Beach.

Palm Beach County Handles Probate for West Palm Beach

Florida law requires that probate be filed in the county where the decedent lived at the time of death. For residents of West Palm Beach, that means Palm Beach County. The 15th Circuit covers Palm Beach County only, unlike some circuits that span multiple counties. The courthouse sits in West Palm Beach, so local residents do not have to travel far to file or attend hearings.

The Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts, Joseph Abruzzo, oversees all probate case filings, record keeping, and public access. The clerk's online system at mypalmbeachclerk.com allows free public searches of probate records.

For county-wide probate procedures and additional local resources, see the Palm Beach County probate records page.

Searching Probate Records in West Palm Beach

The Palm Beach County Clerk's online portal is the primary tool for searching probate records. Go to mypalmbeachclerk.com and use the case search function. You can search by decedent name, case number, or filing date. Most probate filings are public record under Florida law. However, inventories and accountings filed in probate cases are confidential and not available to the general public.

What you can typically find online includes the petition for administration, letters of administration, notices to creditors, final orders, and the will if one was filed. Certified copies of documents require a fee and can be ordered through the clerk's office in person or by mail.

In-person searches are available at the courthouse during regular business hours. Staff at the clerk's probate division can help locate case files and explain what records are available. If you know the case number, pulling records is straightforward. If you only have the decedent's name, staff can search the index for you.

The West Palm Beach city website provides city services information but does not handle probate matters.

Probate filings in West Palm Beach go through Palm Beach County's clerk, not through any city office or department.

Types of Probate Cases in Palm Beach County

Florida's probate code, found in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes, sets out several ways to handle a deceased person's estate. The right type depends on how much the estate is worth and how long ago the person died. All types are filed at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach.

Formal Administration is used when non-exempt assets exceed $75,000. It is the full probate process. The court appoints a personal representative, creditors are notified, an inventory is filed, and assets are distributed only after court approval. This process commonly takes six months to a year. Complex estates can take longer.

Summary Administration applies when the estate's value is $75,000 or less, or when the person died more than two years ago. It is faster than formal administration. A petition is filed, and if approved, the court issues an order directing how assets should be distributed. No personal representative is appointed in most summary cases.

Disposition Without Administration is the simplest route. It is only available when there is no real property and the only debts to pay are funeral costs and medical bills from the final illness, and total assets are under $6,000. This is handled directly at the clerk's office without a court hearing.

Wills must be filed with the Palm Beach County Clerk within 10 days of the testator's death, as required by Florida Statute 732.901. This filing obligation applies even when no formal probate is planned. The clerk holds the will on file as a public record.

If the estate includes real property in Palm Beach County, that property typically must go through probate or an alternative legal process before title can be transferred to heirs.

Probate Filing Fees in Palm Beach County

Filing fees in Palm Beach County follow Florida's standard schedule. Fees vary based on the type of case and the size of the estate. Here is a general breakdown of what to expect when opening a probate in West Palm Beach.

Formal administration petitions typically carry a filing fee in the range of $400 or more. Summary administration petitions are less expensive, generally around $235 to $300. There are additional charges for certified copies of documents, which cost a set amount per page plus a certification fee. Notice to creditors must be published in a newspaper of general circulation, which adds to the total cost.

If the court requires the personal representative to post a bond, the cost depends on the estate value. Bond premiums are paid to a surety company and are not court fees. Attorney fees in Florida probate are governed by statute and start at 3% of the first $1 million of the estate's gross value, with a decreasing percentage for amounts above that.

Current fee schedules are listed on the Palm Beach County Clerk's website. Fees are set by the state legislature and tend to change infrequently, but it is always worth confirming current amounts before filing.

Legal Aid and Attorney Resources in West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach has a range of resources for people who need help with probate. The Palm Beach County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. You can reach them at (561) 687-2800. They can connect you with a probate attorney for an initial consultation at a reduced fee.

Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County offers free civil legal services to residents who qualify based on income. Probate help may be available for qualifying cases. Their main office is in West Palm Beach at (561) 655-8944.

The 15th Judicial Circuit maintains a self-help center at the courthouse where staff can provide procedural guidance. They cannot give legal advice, but they can explain forms and filing requirements. This can be especially useful for people trying to handle a simple summary administration on their own.

The Florida Bar's online directory at floridabar.org lets you search for probate attorneys licensed in Florida. You can filter by location and practice area to find someone who handles estate cases in Palm Beach County.

Florida's probate statutes are at leg.state.fl.us. Chapters 731 through 735 cover the full probate code. Reading the relevant sections before meeting with an attorney can help you ask better questions and understand the process.

How Probate Works for West Palm Beach Estates

Opening probate for a West Palm Beach resident starts with a petition filed at the Palm Beach County Courthouse on North Dixie Highway. Because the courthouse is right in the city, this is more convenient for local residents than it is for people in other parts of a large county who have to drive to the county seat.

The process for formal administration begins when someone files a petition for administration along with the original will and death certificate. The court assigns the case to a probate judge. A personal representative is appointed by the court and issued letters of administration, which are the legal documents needed to act on behalf of the estate.

The personal representative then notifies known creditors by mail and publishes a notice in a local newspaper. Creditors have 90 days from the date of first publication to file claims. After the creditor period ends, valid claims are paid. An inventory and final accounting are filed. Once the court approves the accounting, the estate is closed and the personal representative is discharged.

For summary administration, the petition is shorter. The petitioner lists the assets and proposed distribution in the petition itself. If no objections are filed and the court is satisfied, it issues an order of summary administration. This can sometimes be done in a matter of weeks.

Palm Beach County sees a large volume of probate cases each year given the county's significant retiree population. The clerk's office and the 15th Circuit are experienced with high case volumes, which generally keeps things moving at a reasonable pace.

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