Broward County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Broward County—including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and Coral Springs—is handled by the 17th Judicial Circuit. Much like Miami-Dade, Broward is a high-volume jurisdiction that requires specialized digital proficiency. In 2026, the Broward probate division relies heavily on “Smart Forms” and mandatory checklists to process cases.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we are experts at navigating the 17th Circuit’s sophisticated but rigid electronic requirements. We understand that the high volume of cases in Fort Lauderdale requires a proactive approach to prevent your file from sitting in a digital queue. For a detailed look at the legal process, visit our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. We offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested Broward cases, ensuring your family has financial certainty even in a complex system.

🏛️ Broward County Courthouse & Clerk Information

The Probate Division is located at the central Judicial Complex in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

• Courthouse Name: Broward County Judicial Complex
• Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
• Clerk of Court: Brenda D. Forman
• Probate Department Phone: (954) 831-7154
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

[!IMPORTANT]

2026 Will Deposit Rule: The original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Clerk in Fort Lauderdale within 10 days of receiving notice of death. The Clerk requires the testator’s date of death or the last four digits of their Social Security number to be provided at the time of deposit.

⚖️ 17th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Broward County has some of the most specific procedural requirements in Florida, governed by the Local Procedures of the 17th Circuit.

• Judicial Oversight: For 2026, the primary probate judges are Judge J. Nicholas Lopane (Division 60), Judge J. Natasha DePrimo (Division 61), and Judge Kenneth Gillespie (Division 62).
• Mandatory Smart Forms: Broward requires the use of Probate Smart Forms for petitions and inventories. These are fillable PDFs that must be saved to a local computer and then uploaded to the E-Filing Portal. The Clerk may reject filings that do not use these specific court-approved templates.
• Mandatory Checklists: Per Administrative Order 2023-42-PRC, attorneys must file mandatory checklists for Petitions for Administration and Petitions for Discharge. The judge will generally not review a file until the “Checklist” and all “Predicate Documents” (like the original Will and Death Certificate) are fully docketed.
• AI Disclosure Rule: As of early 2026 (Administrative Order 2026-03-Gen), any court filing that utilized generative AI must include a specific certification on its face. Our firm stays fully compliant with these emerging transparency rules.
• Virtual Hearings: Most routine hearings are held via Zoom. We utilize the 17th Circuit’s digital calendar system to schedule these appearances, meaning you likely will not need to visit the courthouse in person.

💰 2026 Broward County Probate Filing Fees

Statutory filing fees for the 17th Judicial Circuit (not including electronic convenience fees):

❓ Broward County Probate FAQ

Why does the Clerk keep rejecting my filings?

Broward is notorious for strict formatting rules. Common issues include using the wrong case number format (e.g., using “P-RC” instead of the required “PRC”) or failing to include at least four lines of text on the signature page of a proposed order. We manage these technicalities so you don’t have to.

What is a “Restricted Depository”?

In many Broward cases, the judge will order that estate cash assets be placed in a “Restricted Depository”—a bank account where money can only be withdrawn with a court order. This is common in the 17th Circuit to protect heirs when a high-value bond is not posted.

Can I handle this probate if I don’t live in Florida?

Yes. Between electronic filing and Zoom hearings, our firm represents families from all over the world in Broward County. As long as you are a close blood relative, you can qualify to serve as the Personal Representative from your home state.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

The Broward County system is efficient but unforgiving of procedural errors.

• Smart Form Expertise: We ensure every required 17th Circuit form is correctly generated and filed.
• Proactive Monitoring: In a high-volume circuit, we don’t just “file and forget.” We monitor the docket to ensure judicial assistants move your case forward.
• Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing protects your family from the costs of bureaucratic delays common in large urban courts.