Lauderhill City Probate Court Records are public court files held by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The city of Lauderhill sits inside Broward County, Florida, and the 17th Judicial Circuit handles every probate case for county residents.
Anyone can look up these records online, in person, or by mail using the clerk’s case search tool. This page explains who manages the records, what you can see, how to request certified copies, and how Florida death records connect to the probate process.
Broward County Probate Court Jurisdiction
Lauderhill does not run its own probate court. State law sends every probate case to the county where the person lived at the time of death. For Lauderhill residents, that county is Broward. The 17th Judicial Circuit serves Broward County alone, so all filings, hearings, and record requests for local estates go through one courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.
Why Lauderhill Falls Under Broward County
Florida probate law requires the case to open in the decedent’s domicile county. Domicile means the place a person lived with the intent to stay. Most Lauderhill residents are domiciled in Broward County. Even people who own homes in other states often use their Lauderhill address as domicile, which keeps the case local. The court uses the address on the death certificate to confirm where the case belongs.
The 17th Judicial Circuit Court System
The 17th Judicial Circuit covers Broward County. It includes the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale plus branch locations for civil, family, and criminal matters. Probate cases are filed at the Broward County Courthouse, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The clerk’s office runs the records system for the entire circuit. All Lauderhill estate cases, formal and summary, are processed by the same clerk staff.
How to Search Lauderhill Probate Records Online
The Broward County Clerk offers a free online case search at browardclerk.org. The tool lets you look up probate files by the decedent’s name, case number, attorney bar number, or filing date range. The search runs against a live database of active and closed cases. No account or login is needed to use the basic search features.
Using the Broward County Clerk Website
Open the clerk’s website and click the Court Records search link. Pick Probate from the case type menu. Type the last name of the person whose estate you are researching. The search returns a list of matching cases with the case number, filing date, judge, and current status. Click any case to open the docket sheet. The docket sheet lists every document filed, along with the filing date and the party who submitted it.
Information You Can Find in a Public Search
Public probate records in Lauderhill cases show the names of the decedent, the personal representative, heirs, and beneficiaries. The docket shows petitions, orders, and notices. You can see hearing dates, the assigned judge, and the case status. Wills filed as a standalone record (not part of an open estate) appear in the records system once the clerk scans them. The probate file is open to the public unless a judge seals it.
Records Not Available in Public Searches
Florida law keeps certain probate records private. Inventories of estate property stay sealed after filing. Accountings of money received and spent are not open to the public. The full text of a will becomes public when the court enters it into the record, but the original will itself may be returned to the personal representative. Mental health records, minor beneficiary details, and certain financial account numbers are redacted from public documents.
Types of Probate Cases for Lauderhill Estates
Florida offers three main paths to settle an estate. Each path depends on the size of the estate, how long ago the person died, and whether a will exists. The clerk’s office handles all three types for Lauderhill residents.
Formal Administration
Formal administration is the full court process. It applies when the estate’s gross value exceeds the summary limit set by Florida law, which is currently $75,000. A judge appoints a personal representative. That person collects assets, pays debts, files an inventory, and distributes what remains to the heirs. Formal administration usually takes six months to a year, longer for contested or complex estates.
Summary Administration
Summary administration is a faster, cheaper path. It applies when the estate is worth $75,000 or less, or when the person died more than two years ago. No personal representative gets appointed. The petitioner files a single petition along with a proposed distribution plan. The court issues an order, and assets transfer to the heirs. The whole process can take a few weeks for clean cases.
Disposition Without Administration
Disposition without administration is the simplest path. It works only when the deceased has no real property, total assets fall under $6,000, and the only debts are funeral and final medical bills. The clerk processes the request at the counter without a court hearing. No formal case opens. This is a common path for small estates in Lauderhill where the only asset is a bank account or small final paycheck.
Filing a Will Without Opening Probate
Florida Statute 732.901 says anyone holding a will must file it with the clerk within 10 days of the testator’s death. This rule applies even if no probate case will be opened. Filing the will makes it a public record. The clerk keeps the original on file. Filing the will alone does not start a probate case. It only preserves the document for later use if needed.
Florida Death Records and Probate Case Files
Death records and probate records work together in Florida. A certified death certificate is required to open most probate cases. Death records also confirm the date and place of death, which determines which court has jurisdiction. For Lauderhill estates, the death certificate must show Broward County as the place of death or last residence for the case to file locally.
How Death Records Connect to Probate
The Florida Department of Health issues death certificates through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Funeral directors usually file the certificate within five days of death. Once filed, certified copies become available for purchase. Probate courts require a certified copy of the death certificate to open any formal or summary case. The personal representative also needs certified copies to close bank accounts, transfer property, and claim life insurance.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Bureau of Vital Statistics sits inside the Florida Department of Health. The main office is in Jacksonville. The bureau maintains statewide records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Death records from 1917 to the present are on file. Older records exist for some counties. The bureau charges a fee for each certified copy and accepts orders online, by mail, by phone, and in person at the Jacksonville office.
Who Can Request Death Records
Florida law limits who can order a certified death certificate. Eligible applicants include immediate family, legal representatives, heirs, and people with a direct personal or property right. Genealogy researchers cannot order certified copies of recent death records. They can request informational copies that show the death was filed but mark the record as not for legal use. The clerk verifies eligibility before releasing a certified copy.
Death Records by County in Florida
Each Florida county health department files death records for deaths that happen in that county. Broward County death records are filed with the Broward County Health Department. Records for deaths in other counties go to the local county health office. The state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds the master copy of every record filed in the state.
How to Request Probate Records
You can request Lauderhill probate records three ways: in person at the courthouse, by mail, or online through the clerk’s portal. Each method has its own processing time and fee structure. In-person requests are the fastest. Mail requests take longer because of delivery and processing time. Online requests work for many common documents.
In-Person Requests
Visit the Broward County Courthouse records department during business hours. The clerk’s office runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, except court holidays. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk the case number or the decedent’s full name. Pay the per-page copy fee and the certification fee if you need a certified copy. Most in-person requests are filled the same day.
Mail-In Requests
Send a written request to the Broward County Clerk of Courts at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Include the case number, the decedent’s name, your contact information, and a check or money order for the fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return mailing. Mail requests take 7 to 14 business days. The clerk calls or mails a notice if there is a problem with the request.
Online Document Requests
The clerk’s online portal lets you order certified copies of many probate documents. You pay by credit card and select mail or in-person pickup. Online orders are processed in 3 to 5 business days. The portal shows which documents are available online and which require a written or in-person request. Older records may not be available through the online system.
Filing Fees and Court Costs
Probate filing fees in Broward County follow Florida state law with local surcharges added. Costs depend on the case type and estate size. The clerk posts the current fee schedule on the court website. Always check the latest fees before filing because amounts can change each year.
Formal Administration Costs
Filing a formal administration petition costs several hundred dollars. The exact amount includes the base filing fee plus a local surcharge. The personal representative also pays a publication fee for the notice to creditors, which goes to the local newspaper. Bond premiums, when required, add to the total. Attorney fees and personal representative fees come from the estate itself and follow the statutory rate set by Florida law.
Summary Administration Costs
Summary administration costs much less than formal administration. The filing fee is in the $235 to $300 range, depending on current surcharges. The petition must include a copy of the death certificate. No bond is required, and no personal representative is appointed. Attorney fees are lower because the work is less. Many families handle summary administration without a lawyer.
Certified Copy Fees
The clerk charges a per-page copy fee plus a certification fee for each document. As of 2026, the standard certified copy fee in Broward County is around $1 to $2 per page plus the certification charge. Additional copies of the same document ordered at the same time get a reduced fee. The clerk can quote the exact amount when you place your order.
Legal Help for Lauderhill Probate Cases
Many Lauderhill families need legal help with probate. Some cases are simple enough to handle without a lawyer. Others involve disputes, large estates, or out-of-state property that need professional guidance. Several local resources offer help at different price points.
Lawyer Referral Services
The Broward County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call (954) 764-8040 to get connected with a licensed probate attorney. The service charges a small fee for the first 30-minute consultation. The Florida Bar also offers a lawyer search tool at floridabar.org where you can filter by county and practice area. Many Lauderhill attorneys handle probate cases throughout the 17th Circuit.
Legal Aid Options
Legal Aid Service of Broward County provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents. The main office sits in Fort Lauderdale. Call (954) 765-8950 to apply. Legal Aid handles some probate matters, including guardianships, small estates, and consumer issues tied to estate debts. Their staff can also point you to other local resources.
Self-Represented Resources
The 17th Judicial Circuit offers self-help resources for people who want to file without a lawyer. Self-help staff can answer procedural questions and review your forms for completeness. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to file. The Florida state court system also publishes self-help guides online. Summary administration is the most common case type for self-represented filers.
Florida Death Records Database and Genealogy
Genealogy researchers often need Florida death records to build family trees. The state offers several free and paid databases for historical research. Knowing where each database pulls its data helps you choose the right one for your needs.
FamilySearch and Ancestry Records
FamilySearch.org hosts a free Florida death index covering 1877 to 1939 and additional years. Ancestry.com charges a subscription fee and offers a broader collection that includes the Florida death index, Social Security Death Index, and obituary records. Both sites let you search by name, date, and county. Lauderhill researchers can search the Broward County index for deaths in the area.
Florida Statewide Death Index
The Florida Statewide Death Index covers deaths from 1917 to the present for the entire state. Pre-1927 records are free to search. Records from 1927 forward require an eligible applicant request through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The index is the official source for Florida death data and links back to the certified death certificate on file with the state.
Historical Death Records Access
Florida death records from before 1917 are sparse. Many early records are held by the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee. Territorial-era records from before statehood exist in some county courthouses. Researchers looking for 1800s death records should contact the archives or the local church where the death was recorded. Microfilm copies of older records are available through the State Library and Archives.
Official Contact Information
Use the contact details below to reach the right office for Lauderhill probate records and Florida death records. Hours can change during court holidays, so call ahead to confirm before visiting.
- Broward County Clerk of Courts: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Clerk Probate Phone: (954) 831-6565
- Clerk Website: browardclerk.org
- Clerk Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics: 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Vital Records Phone: (904) 359-6900
- Vital Records Website: floridahealth.gov/certificates
- 17th Judicial Circuit Court: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common issues people face when searching for Lauderhill City Probate Court Records. Each answer pulls from current Florida law and Broward County clerk procedures. If your question goes beyond these topics, contact the clerk’s office directly for case-specific help.
How Do I Find Out If a Probate Case Was Opened in Lauderhill?
Search the Broward County Clerk’s online case search tool at browardclerk.org. Pick the Probate case type, then enter the decedent’s last name. The search returns active and closed cases. The case status shows whether the estate is still open or has been closed by the court. If the case is closed, the docket still shows the full filing history. Wills filed without a probate case also show up in the records system as a separate entry.
Are Lauderhill Probate Records Free to View?
Yes, basic records are free to view online through the clerk’s case search tool. You can see the docket, the case status, the assigned judge, and the party names at no cost. Fees apply only when you want a printed or certified copy. Certified copies of probate documents cost a per-page fee plus a certification fee. Informational copies cost less than certified copies but cannot be used for legal purposes.
Can I Get a Death Certificate for Someone Who Died in Lauderhill Years Ago?
Yes. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps death records from 1917 forward. You can order a certified copy online, by mail, by phone, or in person at the Jacksonville office. Eligible applicants include immediate family, legal representatives, heirs, and people with a direct legal interest. Informational copies are available for genealogy purposes at a lower cost. Records from before 1917 may be at the Florida State Archives.
What Happens If No One Opens a Probate Case After a Death?
Florida law does not require a probate case for every estate. If the estate is small, has no real property, and the only debts are funeral and medical bills, no court case is needed. If the estate is larger or includes real estate, someone must open a case. A person who fails to open a required probate case can face personal liability for estate debts. The personal representative named in a will has 20 days after learning of the death to open the case.
How Long Does Probate Take in Broward County?
Formal administration typically takes six months to one year. The court requires a three-month creditor waiting period, which sets the minimum timeline. Contested cases or estates with tax issues can take 18 months or longer. Summary administration takes a few weeks to a few months for clean cases. Disposition without administration is finished at the counter in one visit for qualifying estates.
Can I Search Probate Records From Other Florida Counties Through the Broward Clerk Site?
No. The Broward County Clerk’s case search only covers cases filed in Broward County. Each Florida county has its own clerk and its own online search tool. To search a case filed in another county, visit that county’s clerk website. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website at flclerks.com links to every county clerk’s online records system.
What If I Cannot Find the Probate Case I Am Looking For?
Check the spelling of the decedent’s name and try different variations. Older cases may have been filed under a maiden name or a previous married name. If the case is more than 10 years old, it may be in off-site storage. Contact the clerk’s records department to ask about archive retrieval. Allow extra time for older cases. Wills filed without a probate case show up in a separate record type from formal estate cases.