In Jensen Beach, Aycock Funeral Home was established in 1973 as the second Aycock home on the Treasure Coast. Its services include a traditional funeral with a cemetery burial, a cremation with remains scattered in a meaningful place and memorials with live music and favorite foods. For seasonal residents, the home arranges out-of-state transfers.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Martin County, Florida
How probate works in Martin County: the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Martin County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
Martin County · 19th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
100 Southeast Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
Required for attorneysE-filing mandatory for attorneys since April 1, 2013. Optional for self-represented parties. Statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal for all circuit courts.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe Clerk's Probate Division helps complete the petition for disposition of personal property without administration and presents it to the probate judge, but cannot give legal or procedural advice. An attorney is not needed to deposit a will, and the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit states that formal administration requires an attorney unless the filer is the sole beneficiary. The circuit publishes pro se probate forms, including a petition for summary administration, on its forms and checklists page.
County forms
- Disposal of Personal Property (petition packet)Disposition of personal property without administration, filed with the Clerk's Probate Division
- Statement of ClaimA creditor's claim against an estate in the Martin County circuit court
P.O. Box 9016
Stuart, FL 34995
Departments
- Probate & Guardianship Division1-772-288-5539 · 100 Southeast Ocean Boulevard · dp@martinclerk.com
- Probate Division, 19th Judicial Circuitprobatemc@circuit19.orgThe circuit takes pleadings, proposed orders and communications for Martin County probate cases at this address, after the case is opened. The subject line carries the case number, estate name and document type, and a proposed order goes in Microsoft Word.
About the court
- The Clerk also runs branch offices in Hobe Sound, temporarily closed for renovations, and in Indiantown on Wednesdays and Fridays. Probate filings are handled by the Probate & Guardianship Division at the Stuart courthouse.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Martin 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 Martin County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller at 100 Southeast Ocean Boulevard, Stuart. The court sits in the 19th Judicial Circuit. Martin County shares the 19th Judicial Circuit with Indian River, Okeechobee and St Lucie.
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. Creditors have 3 monthsFla. Stat. §§ 733.2121, 733.702 (later of 3 months from first publication or 30 days from service on a served creditor), 733.703, 733.705, 733.707, 733.710Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Martin County
What probate costs in Martin 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 & Comptroller at 100 Southeast Ocean Boulevard, Stuart. The court is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit.
Florida charges $400Fla. Stat. §§ 28.2401(1)(g), (3); 44.108(1)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
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.
Florida sets executor compensation on a statutory schedule that is presumed reasonable — about $15,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 3.0%Fla. Stat. § 733.617Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Florida requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under 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 & Comptroller
Probate cases in Martin County, Florida are filed at the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller. The court sits in the 19th Judicial Circuit.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Probate & Guardianship Division and Probate Division, 19th Judicial Circuit.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Florida has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Martin County Self-Filing Assessment.
Martin 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
Original will deposited with the Clerk within 10 days of death
Under Fla. Stat. 732.901 the custodian deposits the original will with the Clerk having venue of the estate within 10 days after learning of the death, with the date of death or the testator's Social Security number. The Clerk charges an indexing fee to deposit a will.
SourceOriginal wills, codicils and death certificates are filed on paper
The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit sends most probate filings through the Florida Courts e-filing portal, but original wills, original codicils and original death certificates are filed in paper form with the Clerk. Self-represented filers submit a contact information form with their filings so signed orders reach them.
SourceDocument Requirements
Documents for a disposition of personal property without administration
The Clerk lists the original will if one exists, a certified copy of the death certificate, the funeral home statement showing who paid the bill, signed and notarized consents from all heirs, and statements for the assets to be transferred. The procedure is not available when real property is involved, and the institution holding the assets generally requires a certified copy of the Order for Payment of Funds.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller: Verified Petition for Administration drafted to Fla. Prob. R. 5.200 (petitioner interest, decedent data, beneficiaries, venue, § 733.301 priority, will statement, asset value); Original of the decedent's last will and any codicils (deposited with the court within 10 days of knowledge of death, Fla. Stat. § 732.901), in a testate estateFla. Stat. §§ 733.101-733.402 (venue, petition, appointment, letters, bond); Fla. Prob. R. 5.200 (petition), 5.235 (issuance of letters, bond), 5.030 (attorney required)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Martin County
In Florida a death is registered locally, and in Martin County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Florida Department of Health in Martin County as well as by Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Registrar
Martin County · Florida Department of Health in Martin County
Phone
Office
3441 Southeast Willoughby Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994
Website
Certified copies
At the counter
Local rule
- A legible copy of a valid driver license, passport, state-issued ID or military identification card accompanies every request.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $15 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
District Medical Examiner
Martin County · Office of the Medical Examiner - District 19
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:15 PM
Office
2500 South 35th Street, Building I, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Website
Serves this county
Office of the Medical Examiner - District 19 (District 19 (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties))
Mail and offices
Fax
1-772-464-2409
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Funeral Homes in Martin County
8 funeral homes and crematories in Martin County, each listed with the services it offers, the faiths it serves, the languages its staff speak, its address and its phone.
In Palm City, Forest Hills Memorial Park & Palm City Chapel offers traditional funeral services, memorials, mausoleum spaces, burials at sea, cremation options and advance arrangement planning. Its chapel on Southwest Murphy Road, near Pendarvis Cove Park, is lit by art glass windows and skylights.
In Stuart, this cremation provider arranges a dignified cremation when no other service is desired, with arrangements in its office or online. It states it is family owned and locally operated, owns its crematory facility, and has a second office in Port St. Lucie.
In Stuart, Aycock Funeral and Cremation Center serves families in the city and neighboring communities with traditional and contemporary funerals and cremations. Cremation choices run from a simple cremation without a memorial service to a full funeral service and catered reception. It works with families on arrangements in advance, in person or virtually.
In Stuart, Aycock Funeral Home Young & Prill Chapel arranges traditional funeral services in its chapel with a graveside service. It operates about 15 minutes south of the original Stuart location of Aycock Funeral Home, and its staff can talk through planning ahead.
In Stuart, this independent, family owned mortuary provides traditional burials, cremations and scattering at sea. It forwards remains to, and receives them from, other firms inside or outside Florida and from foreign countries.
Funeral homes by city: Jensen Beach, Palm City, Stuart
Cremation Services in Martin County
6 listings
Pre-Need Funeral Plans in Martin County
6 listings
Burial Services in Martin County
4 listings
Veterans Funeral Services in Martin County
2 listings
Funeral Transport in Martin County
2 listings
Spanish-Speaking Funeral Homes in Martin County
1 listing
Listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any funeral home or crematory.
Transferring Property in Martin 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 Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Deeds and other real property documents for Martin County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 100 Southeast Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994. Phone: 1-772-288-5576. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 9016, Stuart, FL 34995-9016.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.
Martin County accepts electronic recording through CSC, Simplifile, e-Docs Solutions and ePN.
Recording Office Record
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Martin County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
100 Southeast Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994
Website
E-recording
available via CSC, Simplifile, e-Docs Solutions and ePN
P.O. Box 9016
Stuart, FL 34995-9016
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 October 16, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Martin County
Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Martin 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. Martin 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 & Comptroller, 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.
Palm Beach Gardens firm serving Palm Beach and Martin counties from Jupiter and Tequesta to Hobe Sound and Wellington. Handles estate and trust administration, probate and trust litigation, fiduciary disputes, guardianships, and estate and gift tax planning. All three named partners are board certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
Palm Beach Gardens tax and estate firm with additional offices in Boca Raton, Palm Beach, and Stuart. Handles probate and estate administration, estate, trust and guardianship litigation, asset protection, charitable and special needs planning, and estate tax planning. The roster includes board certified tax lawyers and several CPAs.
Palm Beach Gardens firm handling probate and trust administration, guardianship, elder law and Medicaid, and estate tax planning for Palm Beach County families. Founded by Rebecca G. Doane in 2003; Randell C. Doane is board certified by The Florida Bar in wills, trusts and estates, and the firm is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
North Palm Beach firm handling estate and probate litigation, probate and trust administration, guardianships, and elder financial exploitation cases in Palm Beach County. Preston Mighdoll led the Economic Crime and Crimes Against the Elderly Unit at the Fifteenth Circuit State Attorney's office from 1993 to 2012; Kathryn Lewis prosecuted elder exploitation in the same office.
Treasure Coast firm with offices in Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach, serving St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Palm Beach county families. Handles probate, trust administration, Medicaid and elder law planning, guardianship, and special needs planning. A member firm of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.
Palm Beach firm on Royal Palm Way serving Palm Beach County since 1975, with a second office in Tequesta. Handles formal and summary probate administration -- identifying beneficiaries, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets -- plus trust administration and estate and trust litigation.
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.
Legal Sources
(8)·
- Fla. Stat. § 733.617
- Fla. Stat. §§ 28.2401(1)(g), (3); 44.108(1)
- Fla. Stat. §§ 733.101-733.402 (venue, petition, appointment, letters, bond); Fla. Prob. R. 5.200 (petition), 5.235 (issuance of letters, bond), 5.030 (attorney required)
- Fla. Stat. §§ 733.2121, 733.702 (later of 3 months from first publication or 30 days from service on a served creditor), 733.703, 733.705, 733.707, 733.710
- Fla. Stat. 28.24(13), (13)(c), (13)(d), (13)(e); Fla. Stat. 201.02(1)(a)
- Martin County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, official page
- Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court, official page
- Martin County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Florida statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Florida
Free tools for settling an estate in Florida: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Florida.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Florida: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysFla. Prob. R. 5.340; Fla. Stat. § 733.604Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsFla. Stat. §§ 733.2121, 733.702 (later of 3 months from first publication or 30 days from service on a served creditor), 733.703, 733.705, 733.707, 733.710Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Florida happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeFla. Stat. § 736.0101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysFla. Stat. §§ 736.0813, 736.1008, 736.10081Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
Florida has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
Get the Answer
Hire a Florida Probate Attorney
Browse vetted Florida attorneys handling probate matters.
Browse firms
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
