Probate Division Overview
Personal representatives administering estates in Palm Beach County fall under the jurisdiction of the 15th Judicial Circuit. All formal probate proceedings, inventory audits, and fiduciary accountings are filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
Courthouse Information
- Court: Palm Beach County Courthouse
- Address: 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- County Seat: West Palm Beach, FL
- Governing Rules: Florida Probate Rules Part III & 15th Judicial Circuit Local Administrative Orders
Local Accounting Procedures in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County handles the highest proportion of high-net-worth estate accountings in Florida. Judicial scrutiny of fiduciary statutory fee calculations under § 733.617 is rigorous.
Under Florida Probate Rule 5.346, the Personal Representative must prepare a balanced Summary of Account with Schedules A through E. In Palm Beach County, if beneficiaries do not sign formal waivers under Rule 5.400, a formal hearing on the Petition for Discharge may be scheduled before the presiding probate judge.
Key Filing Milestones for Palm Beach County Estates
- Initial Inventory (§ 733.604): Due within 60 days of Letters of Administration issuance.
- Notice to Creditors (§ 733.2121): Must be published once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in a local Palm Beach County legal newspaper.
- Creditor Claims Bar Date (§ 733.702): 3 months from the date of first publication.
- Final Accounting & Petition for Discharge: Target completion within 12 months for non-taxable estates or 18 months if IRS Form 706 is required.