Clerk of Court
Brenda D. Forman
Broward County Clerk of the Courts
Official sourceStaff review draft · Not indexed
Florida Probate Guide · Seventeenth Judicial Circuit
Broward County Probate Court Guide2026 EDITION
Broward County probate matters are handled by Florida’s Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Fort Lauderdale. This guide summarizes the probate clerk’s location, current division judges, local order-submission rules, and filing fees for families in Florida and elsewhere.
Court details last reviewed August 28, 2026
Court information
Where is probate filed in Broward County?
Probate filings go through the county Clerk of Court and are assigned within the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. Check the Clerk’s current instructions before mailing documents or visiting in person.
Check the official court sourceBroward County Central Courthouse Judicial Complex — West Building
- Address
- 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301Third floor, Room 03150
- Public counter hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., excluding courthouse holidays.
- Probate contact
- 954-831-7154
Current assignments
Who handles probate matters in Broward County?
Judicial assignments and staff contacts can change. These names were checked against official court sources on August 28, 2026.
Administrative Judge, Probate — Division 62J
Hon. Kenneth L. Gillespie
Judicial assistant: Taneshia Barbary-Snell · 954-831-7565
Official sourceProbate Judge — Division 61J
Hon. Natasha DePrimo
Judicial assistant: Lisa Tucker · 954-831-5614
Official sourceProbate Judge — Division 60J
Hon. Nicholas Lopane
Division phone: 954-831-7608; official pages conflict on the current judicial assistant
Official sourceLocal procedure
What local probate rules apply?
The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit publishes a probate handbook, division procedures, mandatory checklists, and smart forms. The assigned division matters: attorneys should check that judge’s current procedures in addition to the division-wide rules.
Proposed-order checklist
- 1E-file the petition or motion and all required supporting documents with the Clerk.
- 2For an uncontested matter, use the assigned judge’s CMS proposed-order portal or agreed-order portal.
- 3Upload the supporting documents and identify their e-filing reference numbers as required by the local procedures.
- 4Treat portal submission as confirmation that the matter is uncontested and all interested parties received notice.
- 5Include the case number and at least four lines of text on the signature page.
- 6For a contested or special-set matter, follow the assigned judge’s procedures and email a Word version to the judicial assistant when directed.
Are probate hearings remote?
Each Broward probate division publishes its own procedures and Zoom information. A posted meeting link does not by itself make a hearing remote. Follow the hearing notice and the assigned judge’s current instructions for attendance, evidence, and proposed orders.
Can Lauren handle the case remotely?
Electronic filing and division-specific remote procedures can reduce travel for an uncontested estate, especially for out-of-state family members. The assigned judge controls each hearing. Lauren can coordinate the filing and explain whether a client is likely to need to appear.
Process overview
How does a Broward County probate move forward?
The exact path depends on the estate and the court’s orders. This overview shows the common sequence for a matter filed in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit; it is not a filing checklist or a promise of timing.
- 01
Open the estate
File the petition, original will when applicable, death certificate, and required supporting documents.
- 02
Court review
The Clerk processes the filing and the assigned division reviews petitions, checklists, and proposed orders.
- 03
Administer assets
Address notices, creditors, inventory, taxes, property, and distributions required for the selected process.
- 04
Distribute and close
After court requirements are met, distribute the remaining assets and complete the steps needed to close.
2026Threshold
Florida Summary Administration may be available when the estate subject to administration, less exempt property, does not exceed $150,000 or the decedent has been dead for more than two years, subject to the other requirements of Florida Statute § 735.201.
Court costs
What does probate cost in Broward County?
Court filing fees are separate from attorney fees. Lauren reviews the estate before confirming the legal scope and whether flat-fee representation is available.
The Broward Clerk publishes these amounts on its probate page. Confirm the total immediately before filing because fees, convenience charges, and accepted payment methods can change.
Clerk servicePosted fee
Formal or ancillary administration$401
Summary administration — estate under $1,000$236
Summary administration — estate $1,000 or more$346
Caveat or notice of trust$42
Disposition without administration$232
Straight answers
Broward County probate FAQ
Where do I file probate in Broward County?
Broward probate matters are filed with the Broward County Clerk of the Courts. The Probate Division’s public counter is in Room 03150 on the third floor of the Central Courthouse Judicial Complex West Building in Fort Lauderdale.
Which judges handle Broward County probate matters?
The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit currently lists Judges Kenneth L. Gillespie, Natasha DePrimo, and Nicholas Lopane in the Probate Division. Assignments can change, so confirm the division shown on the current docket.
How are uncontested proposed orders submitted in Broward probate cases?
The local procedures direct attorneys to the assigned judge’s CMS proposed-order or agreed-order portal. Supporting documents and e-filing reference information must accompany the submission where required.
Can a Broward County probate be handled remotely?
Many filings and attorney-client steps can be completed remotely. The assigned judge and hearing notice determine whether a court appearance is by Zoom or in person.
What estates qualify for Florida Summary Administration in 2026?
Under Florida Statute § 735.201, Summary Administration may be available when the Florida estate subject to administration, less exempt property, does not exceed $150,000 or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years, subject to the statute’s other requirements.
Clear next steps after a difficult loss.
Call for a free 15-minute consultation about a Broward County probate. Lauren Richardson Law serves families throughout Florida, including people managing an estate from another state.
Verification record
Official sources
Last checked August 28, 2026
- Broward County Clerk — Probate and Guardianship
- Broward County Clerk hours and locations
- Seventeenth Judicial Circuit probate and guardianship division
- Broward County Probate Division local procedures
- Seventeenth Judicial Circuit 2026 judicial assignments
- Florida Statutes § 735.201 — Summary administration
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
This guide provides general information, not legal advice. Court assignments, procedures, fees, and hearing formats can change. Confirm current requirements with the Clerk and assigned division before acting.