St. Lucie probate matters are filed and administered through the local circuit court, which oversees everything from summary administration to complex contested estates. Understanding how the local probate division operates, including how and when to file petitions, notices, and inventories, can make the difference between a smooth administration and an unnecessarily drawn-out case. Our attorneys regularly appear in Florida probate courts and can help families in St. Lucie move an estate forward with fewer surprises and clearer expectations.
If you need guidance on opening, administering, or closing a St. Lucie County estate, contact Bucelo Diaz Law or call (954) 399-1910 to schedule a free consultation.
St. Lucie County Probate Court
- Court
- St. Lucie County Courthouse
- Address
- 201 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
- Clerk website
- St. Lucie County Clerk of Court
- Phone
- (772) 462-6900
- Directions
- View on Google Maps
Key Takeaways, Probate in St. Lucie County
- Probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled. For St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie County probate attorney.
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Opening a St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie, 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 St. Lucie estates do not require an immediate filing, but early legal review prevents missed deadlines and protects the estate.
How Probate Works in St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie, that filing goes to the local probate division, which assigns a case number and routes the matter to a presiding judge.
Florida recognizes two principal types of administration: summary administration, available when the probate estate is valued at $75,000 or less (excluding exempt property) or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years, and formal administration, which applies to most larger estates and requires the appointment of a personal representative. Which path applies in a given St. Lucie estate depends on the facts, not the county itself.
Local filing rules, judicial assignments, and clerk preferences can materially affect how quickly a St. Lucie probate case progresses. A lawyer who regularly practices in this county will know how motions are calendared, how long letters of administration typically take to issue, and what local forms the clerk expects. Because Florida law requires counsel for personal representatives in formal administration, most estates are not pursued entirely pro se.
A St. Lucie 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 ConsultationThree Ways to Probate a St. Lucie Estate
Florida law offers three procedural paths for handling a St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie County?
Working with a Florida probate lawyer who regularly handles St. Lucie County estates means court filings, creditor notices, and deadlines are managed correctly the first time.
Whether you need a lawyer in St. Lucie depends on the size and complexity of the estate, whether there is a will, whether there are real property or out-of-state assets, and whether beneficiaries are in agreement. Florida law requires a licensed attorney to represent the personal representative in formal administration, and most summary administrations also benefit from legal guidance. Working with counsel familiar with the St. Lucie probate court can significantly reduce the stress of the process.
Our attorneys handle probate matters across Florida and regularly work with families in St. Lucie. We can help you determine which type of administration applies, prepare and file the necessary petitions, respond to creditors, and close the estate. If the matter is contested, for example, a challenge to a will or a dispute among beneficiaries, we also handle probate litigation in St. Lucie and the surrounding counties.
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What to Bring to Your St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie (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 St. Lucie County
Probate cost in St. Lucie County depends on the size of the estate, the type of administration (summary or formal), the St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie Probate?
Many St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions, Probate in St. Lucie
Where do I file probate in St. Lucie, Florida?
Probate for a decedent who was domiciled in St. Lucie at the time of death is filed with the clerk of the circuit court’s probate division in St. Lucie. 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 St. Lucie?
The St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie?
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 St. Lucie?
Summary administrations in St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie probate in Spanish?
Yes. Our team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys, and we handle St. Lucie probate matters in Spanish for our bilingual and Spanish-speaking clients.
What if the decedent owned property in St. Lucie and another county?
Florida probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent was a St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie resident but owned property in St. Lucie?
You will need a Florida ancillary administration filed in St. Lucie. The main probate happens in the decedent’s home state; the St. Lucie 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 St. Lucie County, Bucelo Diaz Law is ready to help.
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