What to Do When Someone Dies in Broward County, Florida

Probate in Broward County runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.

When someone dies in Broward County, settling their estate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.

Probate Court Record

Clerk of Circuit Court

Broward County · 17th Judicial Circuit

Address

201 SE 6th Street, 3rd Floor, Room 03150Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed

Accepted paymentCash, Check, Money order, Credit card. Cashier's check, bank official check, money order, attorney trust account check, or credit cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa) accepted. Personal checks are NOT accepted.

Departments

  • Probate and Guardianship Division954-831-7154

Second most populous county in Florida. Probate located in West Building of Central Courthouse Judicial Complex. Probate division email: probate@17th.flcourts.org.

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Broward County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Broward County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 201 SE 6th Street, 3rd Floor, Room 03150, Fort Lauderdale. The court sits in the 17th Judicial Circuit.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Florida intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Florida estates take 9 months to 12 months to move through this process. The 3 monthsFla. Stat. § 733.702Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.

What Probate Costs in Broward County

What probate costs in Broward County, Florida comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 201 SE 6th Street, 3rd Floor, Room 03150, Fort Lauderdale. The court is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit.

Probate matters are handled through the Probate and Guardianship Division. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.

Broward County runs a probate self-help center (Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM), which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case. Call 954-831-6226.

Florida charges $399Fla. Stat. § 28.2401(1)(g), (3)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the Clerk of Circuit Court (https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Florida are based on reasonable compensation — usually hourly billing or a flat fee for the engagement.

Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Florida requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Fla. Stat. § 733.402Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in Florida typically runs 9 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the Clerk of Circuit Court

If you're handling probate yourself in Broward County, Florida, you can file at the Clerk of Circuit Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. The court sits in the 17th Judicial Circuit.

Filings here are routed through the Probate and Guardianship Division. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.

How to File Your Documents

Paper Filing Available

You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Broward County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.

E-Filing Also Available

If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.

View E-Filing Information

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Clerk of Circuit Court is realistic. Broward County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Broward County Self-Filing Assessment.

Broward County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

17th Circuit local procedures govern all probate filings

Local Procedures of the Broward County Circuit Court, Probate Division must be followed for all filings.

Source

Document Requirements

Smart Forms required for probate and guardianship filings

The 17th Circuit provides "Smart Forms" that must be completed, saved as PDF/A, and e-filed. Only listed forms are recommended.

Source

Court Appearances

Hearings scheduled through the circuit, not the Clerk

Court hearings are scheduled through the 17th Judicial Circuit Court Online Scheduling system, not through the Clerk's office.

Source

Before You Go

Accepted payment

Cash, Check, Money order, Credit card. Cashier's check, bank official check, money order, attorney trust account check, or credit cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa) accepted. Personal checks are NOT accepted.

What to Bring

To file at the Clerk of Circuit Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.

Transferring Property in Broward County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Records, Taxes and Treasury Division.

Deeds and other real property documents for Broward County are recorded with the Records, Taxes and Treasury Division at 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room 114, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Phone: 954-831-4000. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

The Records, Taxes and Treasury Division charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.

Broward County accepts electronic recording through CSC, e-Docs Solutions, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Hopdox, ICE Mortgage Technology, Indecomm.

Recording Office Record

Records, Taxes and Treasury Division

Broward County · Recording Clerk

Address

115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room 114Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

E-recording

Available via CSC, e-Docs Solutions, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Hopdox, ICE Mortgage Technology, Indecomm
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$10
Each additional page$8.5

Fla. Stat. 28.24(13), (13)(c), (13)(d), (13)(e); Fla. Stat. 201.02(1)(a)

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Broward County

Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Broward County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.

Florida uses a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for probate attorneys — the percentages are a starting point that can be negotiated, especially for simple estates. Broward County firms typically follow the schedule for routine work and negotiate on complex matters.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Clerk of Circuit Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

FirmFort Lauderdale, FL

Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A.

Since 2002 · Serves 3 counties

Fort Lauderdale probate litigation firm serving Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Handles contested estate and trust matters -- will contests, undue influence and breach of fiduciary duty claims, trust accountings -- alongside probate and trust administration. Serving clients since 2002, with $250 million in verdicts and settlements reported.

PracticesTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust LitigationProbate Administration

Office
1000 Corporate Drive, Suite 300Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
Free consultation

FirmMiami, FL

Bryant Law Firm

Serves 3 counties

Miami probate firm serving Miami-Dade, Broward, and Collier counties, with a second office in Weston. Handles probate administration and probate litigation, guardianship and Baker Act matters, elder abuse and fraud recovery, and wills and trusts. Serving clients since 1998; Spanish spoken.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationElder LawGuardianshipProbate Administration

Office
5201 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 800Miami, FL 33126
Free consultation

FirmNorth Miami, FL

Chepenik Trushin LLP

Serves 2 counties

North Miami firm serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Handles probate administration and probate litigation, trust administration and trust disputes, will contests built on undue influence or lack of testamentary capacity, guardianship, and elder law. Spanish spoken.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 3 more

Office
12550 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 805North Miami, FL 33181

Solo PracticePlantation, FL

Daniel T. Fleischer, P.A.

Since 2012 · Serves 3 counties

Plantation solo practice with Boca Raton and Aventura offices, serving Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties. Handles formal, summary, and ancillary administration for personal representatives, beneficiaries, creditors, and corporate fiduciaries, plus trust administration and probate and trust litigation. Daniel T. Fleischer has practiced estate and probate law since 2001 and is AV rated.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 8 more

Office
7805 SW 6th CtPlantation, FL 33324
Free consultation

FirmMiami, FL

EPGD Business Law

Serves 3 counties

Miami firm whose trusts and estates group serves Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach clients through probate, trust administration after a death, guardianship, and asset protection. Estate tax planning runs alongside its corporate tax practice. Attorneys assist clients in eight languages, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, Hebrew, and Italian.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
777 SW 37th Ave, Fifth FloorMiami, FL 33135

Solo PracticeCoral Springs, FL

Law Office of Gary M. Landau, P.A.

Since 1993 · Serves 2 counties

Coral Springs office on Wiles Road serving Broward and south Palm Beach families since 1993. Handles all four Florida probate tracks — formal, summary, and ancillary administration and disposition without administration — and drafts wills, trusts, living wills, and healthcare surrogate designations. Gary M. Landau is a certified mediator and a past chair of the Broward Bar's real property section.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
7401 Wiles Road, Suite 204Coral Springs, FL 33067
Free consultation
See all 34 firms serving Broward County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Legal Sources

Data sourced from Florida statutes and official state code. How we research.