West Palm Beach Probate Lawyer: Expert Estate Administration in the 15th Circuit

Florida Probate Law Group has helped thousands of families through the probate process on an affordable flat-fee basis. Navigating an estate in West Palm Beach – from the historic Mediterranean-style homes of El Cid and Flamingo Park to the luxury waterfront estates of Ibis and the modern residences of Downtown West Palm – requires a firm that understands the technical precision and high-volume demands of the 15th Judicial Circuit. Our commitment to professional excellence is evidenced by hundreds of 5-star Google reviews from families we have served across Florida.

For a detailed walkthrough of the legal steps involved, read our Complete Guide to Florida Probate and our specific Palm Beach County Probate Guide.

2026 Transparent Flat-Fee Pricing: All-Inclusive Savings

In a sophisticated market like West Palm Beach, where estate values frequently reach into the multi-millions, traditional percentage-based legal fees can be predatory. Under Florida Statute 733.6171, attorneys are often permitted to charge a “presumed reasonable” fee based on a percentage of the estate’s value—often 3%. For a $2,000,000 West Palm Beach estate, a percentage-based firm might charge $60,000 for a routine probate.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we reject this model. As of 2026, our flat-fee prices for uncontested probate cases are:

Summary Estate Administration: $3,500
Formal Estate Administration: $6,655

These fees are truly all-inclusive. They cover all court filing costs, legal publication fees, and certified mailings within the United States. Our flat-fee model provides massive savings for high-value estates, ensuring that the wealth built in Palm Beach County stays with the heirs, not the law firm.

Unmatched Litigation Experience: “Litigation-Proofing” Your Estate

The key to a smooth uncontested probate in the 15th Circuit is having a lawyer who understands exactly how contested probates work. Founding partner Charles “Cary” David has extensive experience in high-stakes litigation, notably representing eighteen family members in the multi-million dollar Bo Diddley trust litigation to restore the icon’s legacy. Cary has also managed numerous multi-million dollar probate disputes across Florida involving residential and commercial interests.

This litigation background provides a significant advantage for our uncontested probate clients in West Palm Beach:

Identifying “Red Flags” Early: Because we have seen how estates fall apart into litigation, we can identify potential pitfalls in the first week. We draft petitions so precisely that they discourage challenges from disgruntled relatives or aggressive creditors before they ever start.
Avoiding Administrative Pitfalls: Combined with founding partner R. Nadine David’s experience as a former Probate Court Staff Attorney, we know exactly what the judges look for in a perfect filing. We move cases quickly because our filings are “judge-ready” and beyond reproach.

The Advantage of 15th Circuit Judicial Insight in 2026

If you are probating an estate for a West Palm Beach resident, your case will be adjudicated at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach. Success in the 15th Judicial Circuit is driven by a firm’s mastery of the local-local rules and advanced digital systems.

Mandatory OLS and Checklist Compliance

As of 2026, the 15th Circuit utilizes the Online Scheduling (OLS) system for all probate matters. Per Administrative Order 6.202, all petitions for Summary and Formal Administration must be accompanied by a completed, verified checklist. No proposed order will be advanced to the judge’s desk until these checklists are verified against the digital docket.

15th Circuit Probate Judges for 2026

Under Administrative Order 11.101, probate matters are overseen by a specialized bench in Divisions IA and IZ:

Judge Sarah Willis (Division IA)
Judge Charles E. Burton (Division IZ)
Judge Samantha Schosberg Feuer (Probate & Guardianship)

Local Filing and The “Four-Line” Rule

The Palm Beach County Clerk of Court & Comptroller, led by Joseph Abruzzo, manages all probate records.

Main Courthouse: 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Original Wills: Per Florida Statute 732.901, original Wills must be physically deposited within 10 days of notification of death.
Technical Formatting: To ensure judicial integrity, the 15th Circuit strictly enforces the “Four-Line” Rule: Every proposed order must contain at least four lines of the petition’s text on the same page as the judge’s signature to prevent “blank page” signings.

100% Remote Probate: Serving West Palm Beach from Anywhere

Whether you are an out-of-state heir or are currently in Palm Beach County, probate administration can be completed remotely without ever coming to court or to our office physically.

Virtual Consultations: Connect with our team via secure video conferencing from anywhere in the world.
Digital Signature Integration: Execute all necessary petitions and oaths via secure electronic signature, compliant with Florida’s 2026 digital standards.
Physical Document Management: We manage the physical deposit of the original Will at the downtown West Palm Beach courthouse so you never have to battle traffic or security.
Virtual Appearances: We handle all appearances before the 15th Circuit bench on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What counts as a “non-exempt” asset in a West Palm Beach estate? In Florida, “exempt” assets—most notably a protected Florida Homestead—do not count toward the $75,000 threshold for Summary Administration. This means an estate can include a high-value home in West Palm Beach and still qualify for the faster Summary process if the remaining liquid assets (bank accounts, stocks) are below $75,000. Learn more from the Florida Bar’s Consumer Pamphlet.

What is a “Restricted Depository” in the 15th Circuit? Judicial officers in Palm Beach County frequently require estate cash to be held in a Restricted Depository per Florida Statute 69.031. This account protects the assets by requiring a court order for any withdrawal, providing an extra layer of security for the heirs.

Secure Your Family’s West Palm Beach Legacy

At Florida Probate Law Group, we treat your family’s legacy with the respect it deserves. We handle the technicalities of the Palm Beach County court system so you can focus on your family.

Client Reviews

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.

Shirley M.

Submit a Law Firm Client Review