What to Do When Someone Dies in St. Lucie County, Florida

Probate in St. Lucie 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.

What probate costsHow to fileTransferring propertyLocal attorneys

When someone dies in St. Lucie 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

St. Lucie County · 19th Judicial Circuit

Address

201 S. Indian River DriveFort Pierce, FL 34950

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed

Departments

  • Probate Division772-462-6920

Mailing for probate: Clerk and Comptroller, P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierce, FL 34954.

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Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 201 S. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. The court sits in the 19th Judicial Circuit. St. Lucie County shares the 19th Judicial Circuit with Indian River, Martin and Okeechobee.

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 St. Lucie County

What probate costs in St. Lucie 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 S. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. The court is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit.

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

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 St. Lucie 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 19th Judicial Circuit.

Filings here are routed through the Probate 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 St. Lucie 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.

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

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 St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 201 S. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34950. Phone: 772-462-6900. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.

St. Lucie County accepts electronic recording through CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Clerk of the Circuit Court

St. Lucie County

Address

201 S. Indian River DriveFort Pierce, FL 34950

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), SimplifileE-recording info →
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)

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving St. Lucie County

Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in St. Lucie 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. St. Lucie 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.

FirmPort St. Lucie, FL

Kulas Crawford & Smith

Serves 4 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 4 more

Office
2100 SE Hillmoor Drive, Suite 105Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

FirmJupiter, FL

The Siegel Law Firm, P.A.

Since 1982 · Serves 4 counties

Family-run Jupiter firm serving Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties, with offices in Port St. Lucie and Stuart. Handles formal, summary, and ancillary probate administration and trust administration. The practice has been registered in Florida since 1982 and is now led by Jason Siegel. Free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationAsset ProtectionProbate Administration

Office
801 Maplewood Drive, Suite 3Jupiter, FL 33458
Free consultation

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

FirmCoral Gables, FL

Dunwody White & Landon, P.A.

Serves 3 counties

Coral Gables firm whose practice is confined to trusts and estates, with companion offices in Naples and West Palm Beach. Handles estate planning, trust and estate administration, and probate and trust litigation for Miami-Dade, Collier, and Palm Beach families, alongside estate taxation and business planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 2 more

Office
550 Biltmore Way, Suite 810Coral Gables, FL 33134

FirmFort Myers, FL

Pavese Law Firm

Since 1949 · Serves 3 counties

Fort Myers firm established in 1949, with a West Palm Beach office, serving Lee, Collier, and Palm Beach counties. The estate team handles probate and trust administration, fiduciary and beneficiary representation, guardianship, and Medicaid planning. Partner Mary Vlasak Snell practices in estate planning, probate, and trust administration.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 2 more

Office
1833 Hendry StreetFort Myers, FL 33901

FirmFort Lauderdale, FL

Wintter Law

Serves 3 counties

Fort Lauderdale trust and estate firm with a West Palm Beach office, serving Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Handles probate, trust, and guardianship administration as well as the contested side of all three. Christopher Q. Wintter is board certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts, and Estates.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 2 more

Office
17 Rose DriveFort Lauderdale, FL 33316
See all 24 firms serving St. Lucie 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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

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

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