Broward County Probate Court
The Broward County Probate Court deals with the administration of assets and trusts after an individual passes away. This administration is required by Florida law and can be processed whether or not the deceased individual had a will. It’s important to note that most probate cases in Broward County are handled through The Probate Division of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
In addition to the administration of trusts/estates, the probate court also handles issues related to adult and child guardianship. Since these issues are often complicated, it is required by Florida law to have an attorney present at probate hearings. As a result, it’s recommended to consult with an experienced Broward County probate attorney that understands both state law, and the local court system.
Probate Court Overview
As previously discussed, most matters related to probate in Broward County are handled through the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. This includes cases involving: incapacity, appointment of guardian advocates, estate administration, trusts, mental health, and more. You can learn more about the court’s individual processes within the links below.
*Please Note*
Information on this page and contained within individual links can help guide you in the right direction; however, it’s not a substitute for professional legal advice. If you’d like to speak with an experienced attorney for probate in Broward County, call this number today 954-712-3070
Probate and Guardianship Forms
Guardianship and Guardian Advocacy
Intestate Estate Formal Administration
Broward County Probate Court FAQ
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What is Probate?
Simply put, probate is the court supervised process of validating a last will & testament to ensure property reaches named beneficiaries in accordance with the decedent’s final wishes. Although this is the standard “probate process,” probate court handles a wide variety of other legal matters as well.
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Where is Probate Done?
Probate is handled through the local county court where the decedent resides at the time of death. If someone passed away in Broward County, in most cases, probate is done through the Probate Division of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Some probate matters are also handled through the Broward County Clerk of Courts.
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What Issues Are Handled In Probate Court?
The Broward County Probate Court handles various matters related to probate and guardianship. These matters include, but are not limited to the following:
- Incapacity hearings
- Estate Administration
- Formal Administration
- Summary Administration
- Disposition Without Administration
- Appointments of Guardianship
- Guardianship Disputes
- Trusts
- Mental Health (Baker Act)
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What Are The Court’s Hours?
The court is open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM excluding holidays. You can obtain a list of holidays the court closes on here
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Where Can I Park?
There is public parking on the corner of Southeast 3rd Avenue and Southeast 6th Street, by the drawbridge.
Broward County Probate Court Location
Broward County is one of three counties that make up the Miami metropolitan area. The county has a population of just under two million and consists of 24 cities. Major cities within Broward County include: Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Coral Springs, and Pompano Beach. If an individual resides in one of these cities at the time of their death, the local County Court(s) will be responsible for the administration of their assets.
The court that’s responsible for most probate matters in Broward County is the Probate Division of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. In rare circumstances where a probate hearing is unnecessary, the Broward County Clerk of Courts may handle these matters. Both of these entities are located at the same address. You can obtain the address and specific directions below.
Seventeenth Judicial Court of Florida
201 S.E. 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Get Directions
Broward County Probate Division Judges
Below is information on specific judges involved with probate cases in Broward County. This information is publically available in the judiciary list and category located on the Seventeenth Judicial Court’s website.
Kenneth L. Gillespie – The Honorable Judge Kenneth Gillespie was appointed to the 17th Circuit Court in 2009. Judge Gillespie was appointed as a Juvenile Court judge; however, he hears probate cases as well. Here’s an interesting video of Judge Gillespie being interviewed and discussing his personal/professional experience as a judge.
Charles M. Greene – The Honorable Judge Charles M. Greene is a probate administration and civil division judge at the 17th Judicial Circuit Court that was elected in September of 1990.
Mily Rodriguez Powell – The Honorable Judge Mily Rodriguez-Powell is a Civil Division judge that also hears probate cases. She was appointed by the previous Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush in December of 2005.
Speak With An Attorney Today
This information was prepared on behalf of Di Pietro Partners, an experienced law firm for probate and trust cases. Our law firm is dedicated to helping clients with both standard probate administration as well as complex litigation cases such as contesting a will, and trust disputes, all throughout the State of Florida. The main office of Di Pietro Partners is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL; this is the same city as the Broward County Probate Court. As a result, our lawyers are very familiar with this court and its processes. If you have an issue related to probate in Broward County, or another area in Florida, contact us today.