Broward County is the second-most-populous county in Florida, and probate matters there follow the same general framework used statewide. Even so, anyone dealing with Broward County probate benefits from knowing a few local details before getting started: where the probate division is located, which phone number actually reaches the right department, and what online resources are available for checking on a case or filing electronically. This guide focuses on those practical details rather than re-explaining the probate process itself, which is covered elsewhere in more depth.
Broward County Probate: Key Contact Information
The Broward County Clerk of Court handles probate filings for the 17th Judicial Circuit. Here are the verified contact points:
- Courthouse: Broward County Courthouse, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Main courthouse phone: (954) 831-6565
- Clerk of Court website: browardclerk.org
- Probate Division phone: (954) 831-7154
- Probate portal: Broward Clerk Probate and Guardianship page
Unlike some counties, Broward's probate division is not confirmed to operate out of a separate building from the main courthouse — the address above is the one to use for probate matters as well as other court business, based on the information currently available from the Clerk's office.
Practical Details: Phone Numbers, Online Resources, and E-Filing
A few details are worth confirming before making a trip to the courthouse or picking up the phone. First, the probate division has its own dedicated line — (954) 831-7154 — which is different from the main courthouse switchboard at (954) 831-6565. Calling the probate line directly, rather than the general courthouse number, generally connects to staff more familiar with probate-specific questions.
Second, the Clerk's Probate and Guardianship division page serves as a starting point for case-related information and division-specific announcements. Anyone unsure where to start is generally better served checking that page first rather than guessing which department to call.
Third, Broward County offers electronic filing for those who need to submit probate documents without an in-person visit. Details on the process, requirements, and any applicable fees are available on the Clerk's e-filing information page. E-filing can be a useful option for parties working with an attorney or a self-represented filer who prefers not to travel to Fort Lauderdale for routine submissions, though not every filing type may be eligible, so confirming eligibility on the e-filing page beforehand is worthwhile.
What Generally Happens Once a Case Is Opened
Once a probate case is opened in Broward County, it moves through the same general sequence used across Florida: the court establishes who has legal authority to act on behalf of the estate, interested parties and creditors are given an opportunity to be heard, and the estate's remaining assets are eventually distributed once valid debts and expenses have been addressed. Broward doesn't change that underlying sequence. What differs at the county level is largely administrative — which phone number reaches the right office, which online portal has relevant case information, and whether electronic filing is a practical option for a given situation.
The General Probate Process
Broward County probate follows Florida's statewide probate framework. For background on how the process works generally, see What Is Probate in Florida and How Does It Work. For an overview of the two main paths an estate may take, see Formal vs. Summary Administration in Florida: A General Overview. Those posts cover the underlying concepts in more depth; this guide focuses specifically on Broward's local contact points and logistics.
Local Rules and Filing Requirements Can Vary
Court procedures, administrative orders, and filing requirements can carry county-specific nuances that go beyond what's covered in a general guide. Anyone with questions about local rules, specific filing procedures, or how a particular estate should proceed is encouraged to confirm details directly with the court or consult a local probate attorney. For those who need help finding one, the Florida Bar's statewide Lawyer Referral Service can connect individuals with a licensed attorney in their area.
Looking for Another County?
This is one in a series of county-specific guides. For courthouse and probate contact information in any other Florida county, see the full directory of Florida county resources.
Get Started with Your Estate Planning Documents
Preparing estate planning documents doesn't have to start with a courthouse visit. SunstateDocs' Complete Estate Planning Bundle helps individuals generate the documents commonly used in Florida estate planning, based on the information they provide, well before any courthouse or probate division ever needs to get involved.
This article is general information, not legal advice. SunstateDocs is not a law firm.