Martin County, home to Stuart, handles probate matters through the 19th Judicial Circuit, following the same general framework used statewide. Even so, anyone researching Martin County probate benefits from knowing a few local details before getting started: what the courthouse is called, which number reaches probate staff, and what to expect from the county's online resources. This guide focuses on those practical details rather than re-explaining the probate process itself, which is covered elsewhere in more depth.
Martin County Probate: Key Contact Information
The Martin County Clerk handles probate filings for the 19th Judicial Circuit. Here are the contact points:
- Courthouse: Martin County Courthouse, 100 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994
- Main courthouse phone: (772) 288-5576
- Clerk of Court website: martinclerk.com
- Probate phone: (772) 288-5539
- Probate portal: Probate, Guardianship & Trust page
A Practical Detail: A Separate Line for Probate, and a Shared Resource Page
Martin County maintains a dedicated probate phone number, (772) 288-5539, which is different from the main courthouse switchboard at (772) 288-5576. Calling the probate line directly, rather than the general courthouse number, may reach the right staff more efficiently.
The county's online probate resource is also structured differently than a standalone probate page. The URL path for the page is literally "Probate-Guardianship-Trust," reflecting that Martin County groups probate together with guardianship and trust matters on a single combined page, rather than giving probate its own separate section of the clerk's website. Anyone looking for probate information there should expect to see guardianship and trust content alongside it.
What Generally Happens Once a Case Is Opened
Once a probate case is opened, the process generally follows a similar sequence regardless of county. A personal representative is typically appointed and given legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. From there, creditors and other interested parties are usually identified and given an opportunity to come forward with claims, and estate assets are inventoried and managed during the administration period. Once outstanding matters are resolved, the estate's remaining assets are distributed to beneficiaries and the case is eventually closed. The exact steps, timing, and paperwork involved can vary depending on the size and complexity of the estate.
The General Probate Process
For a broader explanation of how probate works in Florida, see What Is Probate in Florida and How Does It Work. For an overview of the different administration paths an estate may follow, see Formal vs. Summary Administration in Florida: A General Overview.
Local Rules and Filing Requirements Can Vary
Local procedures, forms, and administrative preferences can vary from one Florida county to another, even when the underlying law is the same statewide. Anyone with questions specific to their situation should consider confirming local rules directly with the court or consulting a local attorney. The Florida Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can help 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.