Miami Dade County Probate Court

When someone dies, certain assets may need to go through probate before they can be distributed to beneficiaries or heirs. Probate administration is used to identify and gather probate assets, address valid creditor claims, and distribute the remaining property according to a valid will or, when there is no controlling will, Florida intestacy law.

If the deceased person was domiciled in Miami-Dade County at the time of death, venue for the probate proceeding is generally in Miami-Dade County. Probate matters in Miami-Dade are handled by the Probate Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. Florida Statute § 733.101 makes the decedent’s county of domicile the normal venue for probate of a will and issuance of letters.

In most Florida probate administrations, the personal representative must be represented by an attorney admitted to practice in Florida. One limited exception applies when the personal representative remains the sole interested person in the estate. Because probate proceedings involve court filings, deadlines, creditor issues, asset distribution, and other legal requirements, working with an experienced Miami probate attorney can help ensure the estate is administered properly.

Key Takeaways

• Probate matters in Miami-Dade County are handled by the Probate Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida.
• The Probate Division is currently located at the Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center, 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128.
• The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller performs administrative functions such as accepting filings and maintaining records, but it is not a separate probate court.
• Probate venue is generally based on where the deceased person was domiciled at the time of death.
• In most Florida probate administrations, the personal representative must be represented by a Florida attorney, subject to a limited exception when the personal representative remains the sole interested person.

Probate Court Overview

In Miami-Dade County, probate matters are handled by the Probate Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. The Probate Division has jurisdiction over a broad range of matters involving decedents’ estates, trusts, guardianships, and certain mental health proceedings.

The court provides forms, checklists, and other resources for probate and guardianship matters. These materials can be useful for understanding local procedures and filing requirements, but they are not a substitute for legal advice about a specific estate or dispute.

Please Note: Court procedures, filing requirements, and judicial assignments may change. If you need assistance with a probate matter in Miami-Dade County, an experienced probate attorney can help you understand the applicable requirements and represent you throughout the administration or litigation process.

Miami-Dade County Probate Court Location

Probate matters in Miami-Dade County are handled by the Probate Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. The Probate Division is located at:

Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center
20 NW 1st Avenue
Miami, FL 33128
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The Probate Division’s judges and support personnel are located at this courthouse. The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller also maintains its Probate Court Office at the same courthouse, where it handles administrative functions such as probate filings and court records.

For probate purposes, the important question is generally whether Miami-Dade County is the proper venue for the estate, not which city within the county the decedent lived in. If Miami-Dade County is the appropriate venue, the estate proceeding is handled through the Eleventh Judicial Circuit rather than through a separate municipal or city probate court.

Miami-Dade County Probate Division Judges

Below is information on the judges currently assigned to the Probate Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida in Miami-Dade County. Judicial assignments may change over time.

Please Note: This information is publicly available through the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida’s Judicial Directory and official website. Readers should confirm the current judicial assignment for a particular case through the court’s official records.

As of September 2026, the Probate Division judges are:

Yvonne Colodny – Administrative Judge, Section PMH 05
Maria de Jesus Santovenia – Associate Administrative Judge, Section PMH 04
Jorge E. Cueto – Circuit Judge, Section PMH 01
Jose L. Fernandez – Circuit Judge, Section PMH 06
Nushin G. Sayfie – Circuit Judge, Section PMH 07
Bertila Soto – Circuit Judge, Section PMH 03

The Probate Division also has two general magistrates, Olanike Adebayo and Aaron Feuer, who handle certain probate and guardianship matters referred to them under applicable court procedures.

Types of Probate Administration in Miami-Dade County

Florida generally recognizes two primary forms of probate administration: formal administration and summary administration. There is also a more limited procedure known as disposition of personal property without administration.

Formal administration is the standard probate process and is commonly used when an estate does not qualify for a simplified procedure or when the circumstances require appointment of a personal representative.

Summary administration is a simplified probate procedure that may be available when the value of the estate subject to administration, less exempt property, does not exceed $75,000, or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years.

Disposition of personal property without administration is available only in limited circumstances for certain small estates consisting of qualifying personal property.

Miami Dade Probate Court FAQ