Losing a loved one is difficult under any circumstances, and the administrative side of settling an estate can feel overwhelming. Florida’s probate framework is set by state statute, but procedural details, filing workflows, clerk preferences, and local administrative orders, vary meaningfully from one county to the next. Our firm represents clients across Palm Beach and the surrounding region in every stage of Florida probate.
If you need guidance on opening, administering, or closing a Palm Beach County estate, contact Bucelo Diaz Law or call (954) 399-1910 to schedule a free consultation.
Palm Beach County Probate Court
- Court
- Palm Beach County Courthouse
- Address
- 301 North Olive Avenue, 9th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- Clerk website
- Palm Beach County Clerk of Court
- Phone
- (561) 355-2996
- Directions
- View on Google Maps
Key Takeaways, Probate in Palm Beach County
- Probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled. For Palm Beach County residents, that means filing in the local probate division of the circuit court listed above.
- Florida offers two administration tracks. Summary administration for smaller or older estates, and formal administration for everything else, including most estates involving real property.
- Counsel is typically required in formal administration. Personal representatives owe fiduciary duties that can create personal liability, so most estates benefit from a Palm Beach County probate attorney.
On This Page
Opening a Palm Beach County estate or unsure whether probate is required? Bucelo Diaz Law helps families and personal representatives across Florida navigate each stage of probate.
Contact NowFirst Steps After a Death in Palm Beach, Florida
The hours and days after a loved one passes are stressful. While probate can wait, a few practical first steps will make the process easier when you are ready:
- Obtain certified copies of the death certificate. The funeral home typically orders these. Get at least 6 to 10; banks, insurance companies, and the court each need their own.
- Locate the original will. Florida law (F.S. §732.901) requires the original to be deposited with the clerk of court within 10 days of learning of the death.
- Secure property and important papers. Lock the home, redirect mail, locate insurance policies and account statements. Do not distribute or remove assets before consulting an attorney.
- Notify Social Security, the IRS, and pension or retirement plan administrators. SSA notification stops further benefit payments and may trigger survivor benefits.
- List assets and debts. Bank accounts, retirement accounts, real estate, vehicles, life insurance, and any known creditor balances. This list will speed your first consultation.
- Schedule a probate consultation. Most Palm Beach estates do not require an immediate filing, but early legal review prevents missed deadlines and protects the estate.
How Probate Works in Palm Beach County
Florida probate is generally initiated by filing a petition for administration with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. In Palm Beach, that filing goes to the local probate division, which assigns a case number and routes the matter to a presiding judge.
Most estates fall into one of two categories under Florida law. Summary administration is a streamlined process available to smaller estates meeting statutory thresholds, while formal administration is used for estates that require a personal representative, the appointment of counsel, and ongoing supervision by the court. Each approach has distinct filings, timelines, and strategic considerations.
Clerk procedures, submission portals, and local administrative orders can differ from county to county. A petition that is ready to file in one Florida jurisdiction may need a different cover sheet, notice form, or filing sequence elsewhere. For that reason, working with a probate attorney familiar with the Palm Beach court can reduce delays and avoid rejected filings. Personal representatives in particular benefit from counsel because Florida law imposes duties, to creditors, to beneficiaries, and to the court, that can carry personal liability if handled incorrectly.
A Palm Beach County probate attorney can help you file correctly the first time, avoid delays, and meet every statutory deadline. Let’s talk about your situation.
Schedule ConsultationLocal Palm Beach County Probate Notes
Palm Beach County combines significant retiree population with high-net-worth coastal communities. Bucelo Diaz Law represents Palm Beach families on a wide range of estate matters, from straightforward summary administrations to complex formal administrations.
The Court
Palm Beach probate matters are heard in the 15th Judicial Circuit. The Main Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach handles probate filings for the county.
Communities We Serve
- West Palm Beach, Palm Beach (the town), Palm Beach Gardens
- Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach
- Jupiter, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach
- Lake Worth, Greenacres, Belle Glade
Common Palm Beach County Estate Scenarios
- High-net-worth estates involving multiple residences, family businesses, trust structures, and substantial brokerage assets
- Snowbird estates with primary residence in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Quebec
- Retirement community estates in golf and gated communities common to West Palm and the Boca corridor
- Oceanfront and Intracoastal property transfers with homestead and title considerations
Three Ways to Probate a Palm Beach Estate
Florida law offers three procedural paths for handling a Palm Beach estate. The right choice depends on the size of the estate, where the decedent lived, and whether anyone is contesting the case.
| Type | When it applies | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Summary administration | Estate is $75,000 or less in non-exempt assets (rising to $150,000 effective July 1, 2026), OR decedent has been deceased more than 2 years | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Formal administration | Estate exceeds the summary threshold, within 2 years of death, or includes complex assets | 6 to 12 months |
| Ancillary administration | Decedent lived in another state but owned Palm Beach property (real estate, titled vehicles) | 4 weeks (short-form) to 6–12 months (formal) |
Not sure which applies? Schedule a free consultation and we will review the death certificate, the will, and the asset list before any filing.
Do You Need a Probate Lawyer in Palm Beach County?
Working with a Florida probate lawyer who regularly handles Palm Beach County estates means court filings, creditor notices, and deadlines are managed correctly the first time.
Florida does not require a lawyer for every probate scenario, but formal administration generally cannot be pursued without counsel, and summary administration is rarely handled successfully without legal guidance when real property or multiple beneficiaries are involved. Hiring a Palm Beach probate attorney is not about adding cost, it is about controlling risk. Personal representatives owe fiduciary duties to creditors and beneficiaries, and missteps can result in personal liability.
Our firm works with families and personal representatives across Palm Beach to open estates, respond to creditor claims, resolve title issues on real property, prepare inventories and accountings, and distribute assets in compliance with Florida law. If there is a will contest, a dispute over the personal representative, or a question about whether an estate even needs to be opened, we can evaluate the situation and recommend a path forward.
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What to Bring to Your Palm Beach Probate Consultation
To make our initial conversation as productive as possible, gather what you can before our consultation:
- Death certificate (a certified copy if you have it)
- Original will, if one exists, plus any prior wills you can locate
- List of the decedent’s assets: real property, bank and brokerage accounts, vehicles, life insurance, retirement accounts
- Names and contact information for the surviving spouse and all beneficiaries
- Recent creditor letters or known debts
- Information about property the decedent owned outside Palm Beach (other Florida counties or other states)
If you do not have all of this yet, that is fine. We can begin with what you have and gather the rest as we go.
Cost of Probate in Palm Beach County
Probate cost in Palm Beach County depends on the size of the estate, the type of administration (summary or formal), the Palm Beach Clerk of Court filing fees, and any extraordinary services such as contested matters or out-of-state real property. Florida sets a presumed reasonable attorney’s fee schedule under F.S. 733.6171 and personal representative compensation under F.S. 733.617, but every Palm Beach estate is different.
Want a complete breakdown?
See the Florida Probate Cost Guide for the full statutory fee schedule, court filing fees, and worked cost examples for estates from $50,000 to $5 million. We also provide a written cost estimate at the end of every initial consultation.
Out-of-State Family Handling Palm Beach Probate?
Many Palm Beach estates involve families who live outside Florida. The good news: under Florida Statute §733.304, a child, spouse, sibling, or other qualifying relative can serve as personal representative even if they live in another state or country.
You typically do not need to travel to Florida. We handle the entire Palm Beach probate by Zoom, email, remote signature, and Florida Remote Online Notarization (RON). For a complete walkthrough of how Florida probate works for out-of-state and international families, see our pillar guide: Florida Probate From Out of State: Personal Representative Guide.
Related Probate Services
Frequently Asked Questions, Probate in Palm Beach
Where do I file probate in Palm Beach, Florida?
Probate for a decedent who was domiciled in Palm Beach at the time of death is filed with the clerk of the circuit court’s probate division in Palm Beach. The petition, death certificate, and original will (if one exists) are submitted to the clerk, who opens a case file and routes the matter to a probate judge.
What courthouse handles probate in Palm Beach?
The Palm Beach probate division sits within the local circuit courthouse. The specific court name, address, and clerk website are listed in the court information section above.
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Palm Beach?
In most formal administrations, Florida law requires the personal representative to be represented by counsel. Summary administration can sometimes be pursued without a lawyer, but legal guidance is strongly recommended, particularly when real property, creditors, or multiple beneficiaries are involved.
How long does probate take in Palm Beach?
Summary administrations in Palm Beach can often be completed in a matter of weeks once all documents are in order. Formal administrations typically take six months to a year, driven largely by the statutory creditor claim period and the complexity of the estate. Contested matters can take longer.
Do you handle Palm Beach probate in Spanish?
Yes. Our team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys, and we handle Palm Beach probate matters in Spanish for our bilingual and Spanish-speaking clients.
What if the decedent owned property in Palm Beach and another county?
Florida probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent was a Palm Beach resident with property elsewhere in Florida, the other counties typically do not need separate proceedings. If property is in another state, that state needs its own ancillary proceeding.
What if the decedent was not a Palm Beach resident but owned property in Palm Beach?
You will need a Florida ancillary administration filed in Palm Beach. The main probate happens in the decedent’s home state; the Palm Beach case transfers the local property only.
Nearby Florida Counties We Serve
Bucelo Diaz Law represents clients in probate matters across every Florida county. Explore nearby jurisdictions, or return to the Florida probate county directory for the full list.
Every Florida probate case turns on local procedure, statutory deadlines, and careful execution. If you’re dealing with an estate in Palm Beach County, Bucelo Diaz Law is ready to help.
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