Palm Beach County Probate Guide
15th Judicial Circuit · Updated January 2026
Filing & Fees
Complete Fee Schedule
Source ↗Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
Formal Administration Standard probate for larger estates | $401 |
Summary Administration (under $1,000) Simplified probate for smaller estates | $236 |
Disposition Without Administration For very small estates | $232 |
Ancillary Administration For out-of-state decedents with property in this state | $401 |
Caveat File notice to prevent probate without notification | $42 |
Notice of Trust Required filing when settlor dies | $42 |
Accepted Payment: Cash, Check, Money Order, Credit Card
Note: Fees per Florida Statutes 28.2401 (2023). Counties may add small document/technology surcharges per local administrative orders.
Guardianship Fees
Document Fees
Ongoing Estate Fees
Annual Accounting (by estate value)
Inventory Audit Fee
Court Registry Fee
Fee for holding funds in court registry
Formula: 3% of first $500 + 1.5% of each subsequent $100
Fees per Florida Statutes 28.2401 (2023). Counties may add small document/technology surcharges per local administrative orders.
Required Documents
- Petition for Administration
- Death Certificate (certified)
- Original Will (if testate)
- Digital Probate Checklist
- Oath of Personal Representative
- Designation of Resident Agent (if non-FL resident)
- Bond (if required by will or court)
- Letters of Administration/Testamentary
- Notice to Creditors
- Inventory
- Accounting
E-Filing & Filing Methods
Source ↗Timelines & Proceedings
Deadlines & Creditor Claims
Key Deadlines
- Will Deposit
- 10 days
- Creditor Claims
- 3 months
- Known Creditor Notice
- 30 days
Creditor Claims
- Period Starts
- first publication of Notice to Creditors
- Statute
- F.S. 733.702
Publication Requirements
Notice to Creditors
- Newspaper
- Palm Beach Post
- Duration
- Once a week for 2 consecutive weeks
- Deadline
- Within 60 days of appointment
- Est. Cost
- $150-$300
Alternatives: Palm Beach Daily News, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Notice of Petition/Administration
Must be sent within 90 days to:
- Beneficiaries
- Known creditors
- Surviving spouse
Hearing Scheduling
Source ↗Typical wait: Varies by motion type
All evidentiary hearings should be in person unless the Court has approved a hearing via Zoom. All Trials are in-person.
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Recording Fees
- First Page
- $10.00
- Additional Pages
- $8.50
Documentary Stamps
- Deed Rate
- $0.70 per $100 of consideration
- Mortgage Rate
- $0.35 per $100 of debt
Guardianship
Guardianship is a court-supervised process where a guardian is appointed to make decisions for someone who cannot make their own decisions. In Florida, guardianship is governed by Chapter 744 of the Florida Statutes.
Filing Fees
- Person Only
- $236
- Property/Estate
- $401
plenary guardian
Full guardianship - exercises all delegable legal rights and powers of the ward
limited guardian
Partial guardianship - exercises only specific rights designated by court order
guardian of person
Makes personal and healthcare decisions for the ward
guardian of property
Manages the ward's financial affairs and assets
guardian of person and property
Combines both roles
guardian of minor
Guardian appointed for a child under 18
emergency temporary guardian
Appointed when there is imminent danger to the alleged incapacitated person
guardian advocate
For persons with developmental disabilities who lack capacity to make some decisions
Guardian Training
Report Deadlines
- Initial Plan
- 60 days
- Annual Plan
- 90 days
- Inventory
- 60 days
Preneed Guardian Declaration
Allows a person to designate their preferred guardian before incapacity occurs.
⚠ Attorney required for guardianship proceedings
Sources (7)
- https://www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/
- https://www.15thcircuit.com/services/probate-division
- https://www.15thcircuit.com/division/ia/instructions
- https://www.15thcircuit.com/division/iz/instructions
- https://www.15thcircuit.com/services/law-library
- Florida Statutes Title XLII (Estates and Trusts)
- Florida Statutes 28.2401 - Service charges and filing fees in probate matters