Broward County Probate Court Guide
17th Judicial Circuit probate court information · Updated January 2026
Feeling overwhelmed?
Free help is available in Broward County.
Not sure if you need probate?
Many estates can avoid probate entirely. Assets with beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and trust assets may pass automatically without court involvement.
First: Get Death Certificates
Required for everythingFlorida Department of Health in Broward County - Vital Statistics
Secure the Property
- Lock the residence and secure valuable items
- Forward mail to a responsible family member
- Make a list of what you find (don't throw anything away yet)
Locate Important Documents
County filing packet
Broward County probate filing packet
Use this packet to confirm the local Florida filing office, compare common probate paths, gather core documents, and move into the right next step before filing. This is an informational filing guide, not legal advice or a court-approved packet.
Where this packet starts
- Court
- Probate Division - 17th Judicial Circuit
- Clerk
- Brenda D. Forman
- Address
- 201 S.E. 6th Street, 3rd Floor, Room 03150, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Phone
- (954) 831-7154
Common filing paths
Formal administration
Full probate administration with court supervision. Most common form of probate for larger estates.
- Threshold:
- Estates exceeding $75,000 in non-exempt assets, or less than 2 years since death
- Filing fee:
- $401
Summary administration
Simplified probate for smaller estates or estates where sufficient time has passed since death.
- Threshold:
- $75,000 in non-exempt assets (excluding homestead) OR 2+ years since death
- Filing fee:
- $236-$346
Disposition without administration
Simplest form of probate for very small estates where assets only cover final expenses.
- Threshold:
- Non-exempt assets do not exceed funeral + 60-day medical expenses (typically under $6,000)
- Filing fee:
- $232
Ancillary administration
For non-Florida residents who owned property in Broward County at death.
- Filing fee:
- $401
Notice of trust
Trustee of a revocable trust must file notice with the court upon death of the settlor (trust creator).
- Filing fee:
- $42
Caveat
Written notice filed to prevent probate of a will or administration of an estate without notice to the caveator. Used to protect potential heirs or creditors.
- Filing fee:
- $42
Documents to gather
General filing documents
- Certified Death Certificate
- Original Will if applicable
- Petition for Administration (Form 500.100)
- Oath of Personal Representative (Form 500.300)
- Designation of Resident Agent (Form 500.400) if applicable
- Inventory (Form 500.500)
Formal administration
- Petition for Administration
- Death Certificate (certified)
- Original Will (if testate)
- Oath of Personal Representative
- Designation of Resident Agent (if non-FL resident)
- Bond (if required by will or court)
Summary administration
- Petition for Summary Administration
- Death Certificate (certified)
- Original Will (if testate)
- Order of Summary Administration
Disposition without administration
- Petition for Disposition Without Administration
- Death Certificate (certified)
- Itemized Funeral Bill
- Proof of Payment of Funeral Expenses
- Medical Bills from Last 60 Days
- Asset Documentation
Fee signals
- Formal administration: $401
- Summary administration: $236-$346
- Disposition without administration: $232
- Certified copy per page: $1
- Certification per document: $2
Deadline signals
- Deposit the original will within 10 days if one exists.
- Creditor claims period: 3 months.
- Notice to creditors publication: Once a week for 2 consecutive weeks for Once a week for 2 consecutive weeks.
Choose your next step
If you are not sure probate is required, start with the free assessment. If you are ready to organize a filing, use the county-aware plan handoff.
Check if probate is neededA personalized probate report for estates that likely need court administration.
Get My Plan$19 launch price (was $59) · Delivered to your inbox in about 15 minutes
Packet details are based on official court, clerk, and state sources. Confirm final instructions with the sources section below before filing.
Related Topics
Sources (6)
- https://www.browardclerk.org/Divisions/ProbateAndGuardianship
- https://www.browardclerk.org/GeneralInformation/FeesAndCosts
- https://www.17th.flcourts.org/
- https://www.17th.flcourts.org/probate-and-guardianship-smart-forms-home-page
- Florida Statutes Title XLII (Estates and Trusts)
- Florida Statutes 28.2401 - Service charges and filing fees in probate matters