Boca Raton City Probate Court Records are managed through the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts and the 15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Every Boca Raton resident who dies with assets in their name has their estate filed at the main courthouse in West Palm Beach, about 45 miles north of Boca Raton along I-95.
This page explains how to search Boca Raton probate case search databases, what case types exist, what 2026 filing fees apply, and how Florida death records connect to every probate case filed in Palm Beach County.
Where Boca Raton Probate Cases Are Filed
All Boca Raton probate filings are sent to the Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach. The 15th Judicial Circuit covers only Palm Beach County, which removes any guesswork about the correct court. Clerk Joseph Abruzzo runs the office that processes petitions, stores original documents, maintains dockets, and issues certified copies. Boca Raton residents cannot file probate papers at any city or county branch closer to home.
The 15th Judicial Circuit System
The 15th Judicial Circuit is one of 20 active circuits in Florida. It serves Palm Beach County alone and handles civil, criminal, family, and probate matters for every city within the county, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Wellington. Local administrative orders from the chief judge guide daily operations on top of Florida Statutes Chapters 731 through 735, which form the Florida Probate Code.
Palm Beach County Courthouse Details
The main Palm Beach County Courthouse sits at 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The building opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closes on weekends and state holidays. Anyone calling the probate division dials (561) 355-2994 during business hours. Visitors from Boca Raton should plan for 45 minutes of travel time on I-95 or US-1, plus 15 minutes for courthouse security screening.
Clerk of Court Joseph Abruzzo
Joseph Abruzzo serves as the elected Clerk of Courts for Palm Beach County. His office handles all Boca Raton probate court clerk records, including petitions, orders, wills deposited under Florida Statutes section 732.901, and final judgments. The clerk’s website at mypalmbeachclerk.com hosts the online portal where most people pull Boca Raton probate case files without driving to West Palm Beach.
How to Search Boca Raton Probate Records Online
The Palm Beach County Clerk runs a free public search system called eCaseView. Anyone can look up Boca Raton probate case status online by name, case number, or party name. Most docket entries and hearing dates appear in the system within 24 hours of filing. The portal works on phones, tablets, and computers without any account or login.
eCaseView Portal Access
To open eCaseView, go to mypalmbeachclerk.com and click the online records link. The search box accepts last names, full names, business names, and case numbers. Users can filter results by case type, filing date range, and party role. The system covers Boca Raton probate judicial records filed from the early 2000s through today. Older cases from the 1990s and earlier may need a manual records request through the clerk’s office.
Searching by Name and Case Number
A Boca Raton probate case number search returns the fastest, cleanest result. Florida case numbers follow a uniform format that shows the year, court location, and sequence. A name-based Boca Raton probate case lookup works well when the user knows the deceased’s full legal name and approximate death year. Common name conflicts may produce long result lists, so adding a middle initial or suffix helps narrow the search quickly.
Public vs Confidential Records
Most Boca Raton probate court documents are public, including petitions, orders, wills deposited with the court, and final judgments. Certain records stay sealed under Florida law. Estate inventories, accountings, and tax returns remain confidential and require a court order to open. Creditor claims also stay private while the case is active and become public only after the estate closes.
Types of Probate Cases in Boca Raton
Florida law sets three paths for handling a deceased person’s estate. The path chosen for a Boca Raton case depends on the total value of probate assets, the nature of those assets, and how long the person has been deceased. All three paths run through the same Palm Beach County Courthouse and use the same eCaseView system.
Formal Administration
Formal administration handles estates with probate assets over $75,000 in value. The court appoints a personal representative who then notifies known creditors, publishes a creditor notice in a local newspaper, takes inventory of assets, pays valid debts, and distributes what remains to heirs or named beneficiaries. Florida law gives creditors a 90-day window after publication to file claims, which sets the minimum timeline. Most Boca Raton formal administration cases take 6 to 12 months to close, though disputes can stretch the timeline to 2 years or more.
Summary Administration
Summary administration is the shorter path. It applies when probate assets total $75,000 or less, or when the deceased has been dead for more than two years. No personal representative gets appointed. The family files a single petition listing the assets and proposed distribution. A judge signs an order for distribution, and the case closes in 4 to 8 weeks for simple estates. Costs run much lower than formal administration because attorney time and court oversight shrink.
Disposition Without Administration
Disposition without administration handles the smallest cases. It applies when the deceased left no real property, only enough money to cover funeral costs and final medical bills, and the total sits below $6,000. A judge signs a short order releasing the funds to whoever paid the final expenses. The whole process wraps up in days, not months, and costs almost nothing in court fees.
2026 Filing Fees and Court Costs
Probate filing fees in Palm Beach County follow the Florida state schedule. Every county uses the same numbers, and the clerk’s office updates the schedule when the Florida Legislature changes the law. Boca Raton residents pay the same fees as anyone else filing in Palm Beach County.
Standard Florida Probate Filing Fees
The current 2026 filing fees for probate petitions in Palm Beach County follow this tiered structure based on the gross value of probate assets.
| Estate Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $1,000 | $235 |
| $1,001 to $2,500 | $270 |
| $2,501 to $10,000 | $300 |
| $10,001 to $25,000 | $355 |
| $25,001 to $75,000 | $405 |
| Over $75,000 | $405 plus $3 per $1,000 above $75,000 |
Additional Costs and Charges
Beyond the filing fee, Boca Raton estates pay for newspaper publication of the creditor notice, recording fees when real property changes hands, and per-page charges for certified copies. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies needed for property transfers or bank account closures cost more and require a clerk’s seal. Attorney fees sit outside the court schedule and follow either a statutory percentage or a private agreement between the attorney and the personal representative.
Florida Death Records and Boca Raton Probate
Florida death records sit at the center of every Boca Raton probate case. A certified Florida death certificate acts as the legal proof that the person died and shows the cause, date, and location of death. Banks, brokerages, title companies, and the Palm Beach County Courthouse all require an official death certificate before releasing assets or accepting a probate petition.
How Death Records Connect to Probate
Florida Statutes section 731.201 lists the death certificate as a required exhibit for opening any formal administration case. The court will not appoint a personal representative without seeing a certified copy. For summary administration, the death certificate proves the petitioner has waited the required two years when the estate qualifies by passage of time. The same document unlocks life insurance payouts, retitle vehicles, and transfer investment accounts.
Ordering Florida Death Certificates
The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, issues certified Florida death certificates. Boca Raton residents can order online through the state’s vital records portal, by mail, by phone, or in person at the county health department. Each certified copy costs $20 in 2026, with rush and same-day options available for an extra fee. Most institutions ask for multiple certified copies, so ordering 5 to 10 at once saves time later.
Florida Vital Records Office Details
The state Bureau of Vital Statistics sits in Jacksonville at 1217 N Pearl Street. The mailing address for death certificate requests is P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231. Phone orders go through (904) 359-6900. The Palm Beach County Health Department at 800 Clematis Street in West Palm Beach processes local death certificate requests for Boca Raton residents who want in-person service.
Death Records for Estate Settlement
After a Boca Raton resident dies, family members need certified death certificates for nearly every step of estate work. Banks ask for one to close accounts. The Social Security Administration asks for one to stop benefits and process survivor claims. Investment firms ask for one to retitle accounts. Real estate title companies ask for one to transfer property. Ordering extra certified copies early prevents weeks of delay later in the settlement process.
Required Documents for Boca Raton Probate
Every Boca Raton probate filing needs a core set of documents. Missing paperwork is the most common reason the clerk’s office rejects a petition. Filing the right papers on the first try saves weeks of back-and-forth and extra court fees.
Death Certificate Requirements
Petitioners must file a certified Florida death certificate, not a regular photocopy. The certificate must show the full legal name of the deceased, the date of death, and the place of death. Out-of-state death certificates work for Boca Raton residents who died elsewhere, but they must be certified by the issuing state’s vital records office. Foreign death certificates need an apostille or consular authentication to be accepted by the Palm Beach County Clerk.
Will Filing Requirements
Anyone holding a Boca Raton resident’s will must deposit it with the Palm Beach County Clerk within 10 days of learning about the death. This rule sits in Florida Statutes section 732.901. Depositing the will does not open a probate case. The will simply goes on the public record where anyone can request a copy. If a probate case opens later, the deposited will becomes part of the case file.
Petition and Supporting Forms
Formal administration needs a petition for administration, a proposed order, an oath of personal representative, and a designation of email address for service. Summary administration uses a single petition with attached asset list and proposed distribution. All forms sit on the Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov. The 15th Circuit also has local forms that may be required, available at the clerk’s website.
Boca Raton Estate Case Records
Once a probate case opens, the clerk adds documents to the file as the case moves forward. Boca Raton probate estate filings include the original petition, all court orders, creditor claims, inventory documents, and the final closing statement. Most of these records show up in the eCaseView portal within a day of filing.
Common Estate Records Available
Boca Raton estate administration records typically include the petition, letters of administration, the will (if any), creditor notices, claims filed, inventory, final accounting, and the order of distribution. Each document shows the filing date, the filing party, and the docket entry. The portal lets users download a PDF copy of most public documents for a small per-page fee, or view them in the courthouse public terminals for free.
Requesting Certified Copies
Certified copies of Boca Raton probate court record lookup results come from the clerk’s office in person or by mail. The request needs the case number, the document name, and payment. Certified copies cost more than regular copies and carry the clerk’s raised seal, which most banks and title companies require. The clerk’s office can usually process mail requests in 5 to 7 business days. Walk-in requests at the West Palm Beach courthouse get same-day service in most cases.
Wills, Trusts, and What Skips Probate
Not every Boca Raton estate goes through the Palm Beach County probate court. Assets held in a properly funded revocable living trust pass directly to the named beneficiaries without court involvement. Jointly held property with rights of survivorship also passes outside probate. Life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and payable-on-death bank accounts with named beneficiaries all skip the court system entirely. Knowing which assets need probate and which skip it can save a family thousands of dollars in fees and months of time.
Legal Help for Boca Raton Residents
Boca Raton residents can find probate help at four main levels. Full legal representation from a licensed Florida probate attorney is the strongest option for complex estates. Lawyer referral services match people with local attorneys for a small fee. Legal aid offers free help for income-eligible residents with small estates. The 15th Circuit self-help center at the West Palm Beach courthouse offers procedural guidance for people handling simple cases on their own.
Florida Bar Lawyer Referral
The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service at floridabar.org that connects Boca Raton residents with licensed probate attorneys in Palm Beach County. Many attorneys offer a free or low-cost first meeting. The Bar website also lets users check whether an attorney holds a current Florida license and stands in good standing with the discipline system.
Palm Beach County Bar Association
The Palm Beach County Bar Association at palmbeachbar.org runs a separate local referral service. For Boca Raton residents who want a local attorney close to home, this service narrows the list to lawyers who practice in the county. Many local probate attorneys offer reduced fees for simple summary administration cases.
Legal Aid Society
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County at legalaidpbc.org provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents. Probate cases involving small estates, surviving spouses with limited resources, or minor children may qualify. The application process requires proof of income, residency, and the nature of the legal problem.
15th Circuit Self-Help Center
The 15th Circuit self-help center at the West Palm Beach courthouse offers procedural help for people filing without an attorney. Staff can explain which forms to use, where to file, and how the process works. They cannot give legal advice or recommend a specific course of action. The Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov has downloadable probate forms and plain-language guides for self-represented filers.
Official Contact Details and Location
All Boca Raton probate matters are handled through the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts and the 15th Judicial Circuit Court. The contact details below reflect the most current public records as of August 2026.
Main Courthouse Address: 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Probate Division Phone: (561) 355-2994
Clerk Website: mypalmbeachclerk.com
Court Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics: 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Vital Statistics Phone: (904) 359-6900
Palm Beach County Health Department: 800 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Florida Courts Website: flcourts.gov
The Boca Raton city website at myboca.us confirms the city’s location in Palm Beach County and provides local government contact details. The city site does not handle probate but can help with residency paperwork sometimes needed during the estate process.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common issues Boca Raton residents face when dealing with probate records, court filings, and Florida death records. Each answer points to the exact statute, office, or form that handles the situation. Use this section as a quick reference before calling the clerk’s office or starting a search in eCaseView.
How Do I Find a Boca Raton Probate Case Number?
Case numbers appear on every court order, petition, and notice sent by the Palm Beach County Clerk. If you lost the case number, run a Boca Raton probate case lookup in eCaseView using the deceased’s full legal name. Narrow the search by selecting “Probate” as the case type and the correct year of death. The system returns the case number alongside the party names and filing dates. Old cases from the 1990s may not show in the online portal and require a manual search by clerk staff at (561) 355-2994.
Are Boca Raton Probate Records Free to View?
Viewing Boca Raton probate court documents in the eCaseView portal is free. Downloading PDFs costs a small per-page fee set by the clerk. Walking into the courthouse and viewing records on the public terminals is also free. Certified copies that carry the clerk’s raised seal cost more and require payment. Florida law allows the clerk to charge for the time and materials needed to produce certified copies, which is why certified copies cost more than regular copies.
What Documents Are Needed to Open Probate?
Formal administration in Boca Raton needs a petition for administration, a death certificate, a will (if one exists), an oath of personal representative, and a designation of email address for service. Summary administration needs a single petition with the death certificate and a list of assets. The clerk’s website lists every required form for each case type. Florida law requires all forms to be typed or printed in black ink on standard letter-size paper.
How Long Does Boca Raton Probate Take?
Summary administration cases close in 4 to 8 weeks for simple estates. Formal administration takes 6 to 12 months in routine cases. Disputed formal cases with creditor claims, will contests, or estate litigation can run 18 to 24 months or longer. Florida law gives creditors 90 days from the date of publication to file claims, which sets the minimum formal administration timeline. The 15th Circuit publishes a current time standards document online that lists expected timelines for each case type.
Can I Access Sealed Boca Raton Probate Files?
Most sealed Boca Raton probate files involve wills deposited before a case opens, mental health records, or minor beneficiary information. To open a sealed file, you must file a written motion with the probate court and show a legitimate legal reason. The court holds a short hearing and decides whether to grant access. Inventories and accountings stay confidential under Florida Statutes section 733.604 even after the estate closes, unless the court orders otherwise.
Where Do I Order a Florida Death Certificate?
Florida death certificates come from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, in Jacksonville. Order online at the Florida Vital Records portal, by mail using Form DH 261, by phone at (904) 359-6900, or in person at the Palm Beach County Health Department in West Palm Beach. Each certified copy costs $20 in 2026. Rush and same-day options add extra fees. Most Boca Raton families order 5 to 10 certified copies at once to cover all the institutions that require them.
How Do I Contact the Palm Beach County Probate Court?
Call the Palm Beach County Clerk’s probate division at (561) 355-2994 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Visit the main courthouse at 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Send written requests to the clerk’s office by mail at the same address. The clerk’s website at mypalmbeachclerk.com lists current forms, fees, and online search tools. For legal help, contact the Florida Bar at floridabar.org or the Palm Beach County Bar Association at palmbeachbar.org.