Probate in Palm Beach County – covering West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Jupiter, Delray Beach, and Wellington – is governed by the 15th Judicial Circuit. This is one of Florida’s most sophisticated and high-volume probate jurisdictions. In 2026, the court operates a strict “Checklist and Odyssey” workflow. Judicial staff will not advance a file to the judge’s desk until the mandatory electronic checklists are verified against the docket.
At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with high-level authority in the West Palm Beach court system. We understand that the 15th Circuit’s technical requirements – like the mandatory use of the Online Scheduling System (OLS) – can be overwhelming. For a deep dive into the legal framework, visit our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. We offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested Palm Beach County cases, ensuring your inheritance is protected from the billable-hour traps of large South Florida firms.
We haven helped thousands of families navigate Florida’s probate system and are backed by by hundreds of 5-star Google reviews. We offer free consultations, call 352-354-2654 or submit a contact form if you need legal advice about probate in Florida.
2026 Will Deposit Rule: Under Florida Statute 732.901, the original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with Joseph Abruzzo’s office within 10 days of receiving notice of the death. The Clerk requires a death certificate (short form) or the decedent’s Social Security number at the time of deposit.
Palm Beach County Probate Court – Venue for Probate Cases
⚖️ 15th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures
Palm Beach County is divided into several specialized probate divisions (Divisions IZ, IA, IB, and IX).
Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate matters are primarily overseen by Judge Charles E. Burton (Division IZ) and Judge Sarah Willis (Division IA).
OLS & Mandatory Checklists: Per Administrative Order 6.202, all petitions for Summary and Formal Administration must be accompanied by a completed checklist submitted through the 15th Circuit’s Online Scheduling (OLS) system.
The “Four-Line” Rule: To ensure judicial integrity, all proposed orders must contain at least four lines of the petition’s text on the signature page. Orders that place the judge’s signature on a blank page will be rejected.
Docket Index Numbers: Administrative Order 22-02 remains in strict effect for 2026: Every proposed order must list the docket index number of the motion or petition it relates to directly under the document title.
Virtual Appearances: The 15th Circuit utilizes Zoom for its Uniform Motion Calendar (UMC). For evidentiary hearings, Judge Burton often requires in-person attendance unless a specific motion to appear remotely is granted.
❓ Palm Beach County Probate FAQ
What is your “Flat-Fee” model for West Palm Beach?
In a high-value market like Palm Beach County, where traditional firms often charge a “presumed reasonable” fee of 3% of the estate’s value, our model offers a more ethical and predictable alternative. For a typical estate with a $1,000,000 home, a percentage-based firm might charge $30,000; at Florida Probate Law Group, we reject this predatory pricing in favor of transparency.
Our flat-fee prices are truly all-inclusive, covering all court filing costs, legal publication fees for the “Notice to Creditors,” and certified mailings within the United States. As of 2026, our rates for uncontested cases are:
By leveraging our 100% Remote Probate model and deep judicial insight into the 15th Circuit’s “Odyssey” digital filing standards, we provide families in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and throughout Palm Beach County with elite legal representation without the financial anxiety of billable hours.
Is a “Summary Administration” viable for a home in Boca Raton?
Yes. If the home is the decedent’s “protected homestead,” its value is generally excluded from the $75,000 limit for Summary Administration. This allows many Palm Beach County families to avoid the longer Formal Administration process even if the home is worth millions.
How do I deal with an “Oath of Witness” in Palm Beach?
If a Will is not “self-proving” (lacks the executed Florida notary block ), the 15th Circuit requires a witness to the Will to give a formal Oath. The Clerk charges $3.50 to administer this Oath. We handle the coordination of these witnesses to prevent your case from stalling.
💰 2026 Palm Beach County Probate Filing Fees
Statutory filing fees for the 15th Judicial Circuit (all filing fees and court costs are included in our flat fees):
Action Type
Court Filing Fee
Formal Administration (Full Probate)
$401.00
Summary Administration (Estates > $1,000)
**$346.00**
Summary Administration (Estates < $1,000)
**$236.00**
Disposition of Personal Property
$232.00
Notice of Trust / Caveat
$41.00
📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?
The 15th Judicial Circuit requires an attorney who understands the intersection of high-volume litigation and technical probate rules.
OLS Mastery: We are experts in the 15th Circuit’s specific digital portal and checklist requirements.
Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing protects your family’s inheritance from South Florida’s typical billable-hour rates.
Local Authority: We ensure every filing in every Palm Beach Probate – from Boca to Jupiter – is “procedurally ripe” to get the judge’s signature as fast as possible.
I was very happy with her response to my questions and concerns about Florida probate. I am in Ohio and was not familiar with the process but they cleared everything up for me and made me feel comfortable going through the probate process with my loved ones will.
Roger
Honest and straight forward assessment of complex case. My case span both federal and state issues, as well as civil case of fraud which maybe criminal fraud. He told me what he could do, what his limits of scope were and what my best/safest position should be and gave me an outline of how to get...
S. Todd
The world of probate can be fairly daunting for one who has little to no experience. Between trying to figure out what to file and when to file, there is also the where. I was quite relieved to have Nadine and Cary to guide me through the court process.
Michael O.
I highly recommend using this law group for your Florida probate needs, and in particular, Charles David. He explained clearly what my 91 year old aunt would need to do in order to sell property that was in hers and her late husband's name.
Patti T.
Florida probate law group,was very helpful in answering the many questions that I had concerning my situation their input was very appreciated thank you.
