Palm Beach County Probate Court Guide (2026)

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.

🏛️ Palm Beach County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate records and filings are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller.

• Main Courthouse: Palm Beach County Courthouse
• Address: 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
• Clerk of Court: Joseph Abruzzo
• Probate Department Phone: (561) 355-2986
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

[!IMPORTANT]

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.

⚖️ 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.

💰 2026 Palm Beach County Probate Filing Fees

Statutory filing fees for the 15th Judicial Circuit:

❓ Palm Beach County Probate FAQ

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 standard 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.

What is your “Flat-Fee” model for West Palm Beach?

Palm Beach County is known for high-priced legal services. We break that mold by offering one all-inclusive flat fee for uncontested probate. We handle everything from filing with Joseph Abruzzo’s office to clearing the OLS checklists, so you never have to worry about a surprise bill.

📍 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.