West Palm Beach City probate court records cover every probate case filed for residents who lived inside the city limits at the time of death. The Palm Beach County Courthouse at 205 North Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach is where the clerk files, stores, and serves all of these records.
The clerk’s online portal at mypalmbeachclerk.com gives the public free access to case dockets, party names, filing dates, and most documents filed in probate cases that started after the court moved to electronic filing.
How the Palm Beach County Probate System Works
Every probate case for a person who lived in West Palm Beach is filed in Palm Beach County. Florida law says probate must happen in the county where the deceased person lived. The Palm Beach County Courthouse sits inside the West Palm Beach city limits, so residents do not have to travel far to file paperwork or attend hearings. The clerk’s office runs the records, and the 15th Judicial Circuit Court runs the judges who decide the cases.
The 15th Judicial Circuit Court
The 15th Judicial Circuit is the trial court that covers Palm Beach County only. Some circuits in Florida cover two or three counties, but the 15th covers just this one county. The chief judge assigns probate cases to one of the probate judges who sit in West Palm Beach. The circuit also runs a probate division that handles hearings, motions, and trials for estate matters.
Role of the Clerk of Court
Joseph Abruzzo serves as the Clerk of Courts for Palm Beach County. His office accepts new probate filings, keeps the paper and electronic case files, records orders, and issues certified copies of documents. The clerk staff also run the public computers in the courthouse lobby and answer questions about how to get records. They cannot give legal advice, but they can show you which forms to use and where to find a case in the system.
Searching for Probate Records Online
The fastest way to look up a probate case is through the clerk’s online system. The portal runs on a software called eCaseView, and it works on phones, tablets, and computers. Anyone can use it without paying or creating an account. The system covers cases filed from 1988 forward in Palm Beach County.
Using the Clerk’s eCaseView Portal
Go to mypalmbeachclerk.com and click on the case search link. Pick “Probate” from the case type menu. You can type in a last name, a first and last name, a case number, or a date range. The system pulls up every match. Click on a case number to see the full docket, which lists every paper filed in the case with the date and the name of the person who filed it. Most documents have a PDF link you can open for free.
What Records You Can View for Free
The free public docket shows the petition for administration, the will (if one was filed with the court), the letters of administration, the notice to creditors, and final orders. You can also see the names of the personal representative, the attorney, and the heirs. Court orders, motions, and objections are all listed with PDF links. The free system charges nothing for viewing and printing from home.
Records That Stay Confidential
Florida law treats certain probate papers as sealed or confidential. The inventory of estate assets, the final accounting, and any federal tax returns filed with the court are not open to the general public. Only the personal representative, the attorney, the IRS, and certain other parties named in the case can get copies of these sealed documents. Mental health records filed in a probate case also stay sealed.
Types of Probate Cases Filed in West Palm Beach
Florida law sets out three main ways to settle an estate. The clerk’s office tracks each type with its own case number series. All three case types are filed in West Palm Beach because the courthouse is the only filing location in the county.
Formal Administration
Formal administration is the full probate process. The court appoints a personal representative, who must mail notices to creditors and publish a notice in a local newspaper. Creditors then have 90 days to file claims. The personal representative files an inventory, pays valid debts, files a final accounting, and distributes the rest to the heirs. Most formal administrations take six months to one year, and complex estates can take two years or more.
Summary Administration
Summary administration is shorter and cheaper. It applies when the total value of the probate estate is $75,000 or less, or when the person died more than two years before the petition is filed. The petitioner files a single petition that lists the assets, the debts, and the proposed distribution. The court reviews the petition, and if everything is in order, signs an order that transfers the property. There is no personal representative and no creditor claim period in most summary cases.
Disposition Without Administration
Disposition without administration is the simplest route. Florida law lets a surviving spouse or heir collect the deceased person’s property directly from the clerk when there is no real estate, the only debts are funeral costs and final medical bills, and the total assets are less than $6,000. The clerk signs a simple order and the property goes to the person who paid the final bills. This is the fastest and cheapest way to wrap up a small estate.
Ancillary Probate Cases
When a person who lived in another state owns real property in Palm Beach County, the heirs must open a separate probate case here to transfer the Florida property. This second case is called an ancillary probate. The clerk tracks these cases in the same system and the public docket shows them next to the original case filed in the home state.
Probate Filing Fees in West Palm Beach
The clerk sets fees by following the Florida Statutes. Fees change from time to time when the state legislature passes a new budget, so it pays to check the current fee schedule on the clerk’s website before you file. The fees below reflect the schedule in place as of mid-2026.
Court Filing Fees
Filing a petition for formal administration in Palm Beach County costs around $400. Filing a petition for summary administration costs around $235 to $300. Filing for disposition without administration costs less, with a fee in the $150 range. These fees must be paid when the case opens, and the clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and most credit cards.
Certified Copy Charges
The clerk charges a set fee per page for certified copies. The fee covers the cost of copying the document, the clerk’s seal, and a signature from the deputy clerk. You can order certified copies in person, by mail, or online through the clerk’s certified copy service. The fee is set by Florida Statute and changes only when the state legislature updates it.
Publication and Notice Costs
In formal administration, the personal representative must publish a notice to creditors in a newspaper approved by the court. The newspaper charges its own rate, which runs from $80 to $200 depending on the paper. The clerk also charges a small fee for filing the proof of publication after the notice runs.
Attorney and Bond Costs
Florida law sets attorney fees on a sliding scale. The base fee starts at 3% of the first $1 million of the gross estate value, with lower percentages for amounts above that. If the court requires the personal representative to post a surety bond, the bond premium is paid to a private insurance company and depends on the bond amount and the estate’s financial picture.
Step-by-Step Probate Filing Process
Filing probate in West Palm Beach follows a set path. The clerk’s office can walk you through each step, and the self-help center at the courthouse has free forms you can use. The steps below cover the formal administration process, which is the most common type for residents of West Palm Beach.
Required Documents
The personal representative must file the original will, a certified copy of the death certificate, and a petition for administration. The petition names the proposed personal representative, lists the heirs, and gives a rough estimate of the estate’s value. If the will names a personal representative, that person files the petition. If there is no will, the closest living relative files the petition and asks the court to appoint them.
Opening the Case
The clerk stamps the petition with a case number, assigns a judge, and puts the case on the probate docket. The judge signs an order that appoints the personal representative and issues letters of administration. The letters are the proof the personal representative needs to handle bank accounts, sell real estate, and deal with other assets in the estate’s name.
Creditor Notification Period
The personal representative must mail a copy of the notice to creditors to every known creditor and publish the notice in an approved newspaper. Creditors then have 90 days from the first date of publication to file a claim with the clerk. Claims filed late are barred by Florida law, with narrow exceptions for creditors who did not get actual notice.
Closing the Estate
After the creditor period closes, the personal representative pays valid claims, files the inventory, files a final accounting, and asks the court to approve the distribution. The court signs a final order, the property goes to the heirs, and the case is closed. The clerk keeps the file sealed in the system but the docket stays open to the public.
Accessing Records in Person
Some records are not on the public website. Older paper files, sealed documents, and certain certified copies must be requested in person at the clerk’s office. The courthouse lobby has public terminals, a records counter, and staff who can help you search the paper index for cases filed before 1988.
Courthouse Location and Hours
The Palm Beach County Courthouse sits at 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and on the court holidays listed on the clerk’s website. You can park in the public garage on the south side of the building for a small hourly fee.
Using the Public Terminals
The lobby has free computer terminals that run the same eCaseView software as the public website. The terminals print documents for 25 cents per page. The lobby also has free Wi-Fi if you bring your own laptop or tablet. Staff at the front desk can help you reset a password or pull up a case if you cannot find it on your own.
Requesting Older Paper Records
Probate cases filed before 1988 are stored on microfiche and in paper boxes. The clerk’s records staff pull these files by hand. You can request a file at the records counter, and the staff will have it ready within one to two business days in most cases. The clerk charges a per-page fee for copies and a higher fee for certified copies of paper records.
Local Help and Legal Resources
West Palm Beach has several resources for people who need help with a probate case. Some of these resources are free for people who qualify by income. Others charge a reduced fee for the first meeting.
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. Probate help is available for qualifying cases, including help with summary administration petitions and small estate matters. The main office is in West Palm Beach, and you can reach the office by phone at (561) 655-8944. You can also apply for help online through the Legal Aid website.
Palm Beach County Bar Association
The Palm Beach County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that connects you with a probate attorney for a half-hour consultation at a reduced fee. You can reach the referral service at (561) 687-2800. The service can match you with an attorney who handles estate work, wills, and trust cases in Palm Beach County.
Self-Help Centers at the Courthouse
The 15th Judicial Circuit runs a self-help center inside the courthouse. Staff at the center can help you fill out forms, explain the filing requirements, and answer procedural questions. The staff cannot give legal advice, write forms for you, or represent you in court. The center is free to use and open during regular business hours.
Contact and Location
For questions about West Palm Beach City probate court records, contact the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts using the details below. The clerk’s office handles all probate filings and record requests for the city.
Official website: mypalmbeachclerk.com
Main phone: (561) 355-2994
Probate Division phone: (561) 355-2981
Address: 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common points people ask about probate records in West Palm Beach. Each answer gives the facts you need to handle a probate record request, a filing, or a search without extra trips to the courthouse.
How do I look up a probate case by name?
Go to mypalmbeachclerk.com and open the case search page. Pick “Probate” as the case type, then type the last name of the person whose estate you want to see. You can add a first name to narrow the results. The system lists every match with the case number, the filing date, the judge assigned, and the personal representative. Click the case number to see the full docket and any documents filed in the case. The search is free and no login is needed.
Are all probate records public in Palm Beach County?
Most probate records are public, but a few documents stay sealed. The petition, the will, the letters of administration, motions, objections, and final orders are all open to the public. The inventory of assets, the final accounting, and any federal tax returns filed with the court are confidential. Sealed records can only be seen by the personal representative, the attorney, certain named parties, and people who get a court order to open the file.
Can I get a copy of a will that was filed in West Palm Beach?
Yes. Under Florida Statute 732.901, any person who has the original will must file it with the clerk within 10 days of the testator’s death. Once filed, the will becomes a public record. You can pull a free copy of the will from the eCaseView docket. If you need a certified copy with the clerk’s seal, you can order one in person, by mail, or through the clerk’s online certified copy service for a small fee per page.
What is the difference between formal and summary administration?
Formal administration is the full court process. A personal representative is appointed, creditors are notified, an inventory is filed, and the court must approve the final distribution. Summary administration is much shorter. The petitioner files a single petition, the court signs an order, and the property is distributed. Summary administration is only available when the probate estate is worth $75,000 or less or when the person died more than two years ago.
Do I need a lawyer to file probate in Palm Beach County?
Florida law does not require you to hire a lawyer to file probate, and many people handle summary administration on their own. The clerk’s self-help center can walk you through the forms, and the Florida Statutes at leg.state.fl.us have the full text of the probate code. For formal administration, most people hire an attorney because the process has more steps and more deadlines. The Palm Beach County Bar Association referral line at (561) 687-2800 can connect you with a probate lawyer for a first meeting.
How much does it cost to file probate in West Palm Beach?
The court filing fee for formal administration runs around $400, and the fee for summary administration runs from $235 to $300. Disposition without administration costs around $150. You will also pay for certified copies of documents, publication of the notice to creditors, and any bond the court requires. Attorney fees are set by Florida statute and start at 3% of the first $1 million of the estate’s gross value, with lower percentages for amounts above that.
Can I search probate records from another county through the Palm Beach clerk?
No. The Palm Beach County Clerk only has records for cases filed in Palm Beach County. If you need records from another Florida county, you must contact that county’s clerk. Each Florida county has its own online case search system. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website at flclerks.com has links to every county clerk in the state, so you can find the right office for a case filed outside Palm Beach County.