Overview
St. Lucie County is located in Florida with a population of approximately 390,670. The Circuit Court for St. Lucie County handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Florida probate is governed by the Florida Probate Code (Chapters 731-735, Florida Statutes). The process begins with filing a Petition for Administration to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters of Administration (often referred to as Letters Testamentary in other jurisdictions) to the appointed representative.
Simplified Procedures:
- Summary Administration: Available if the estate value is $75,000 or less (excluding exempt property) OR if the decedent has been dead for more than 2 years.
- Disposition of Personal Property without Administration: A procedure for very small estates to reimburse the person who paid for funeral expenses and final medical bills. It is limited to the amount of those expenses plus exempt property.
Fee Structure Notes:
Florida law sets a statutory fee schedule for attorneys and personal representatives based on the compensable value of the estate (e.g., 3% for the first $1 million). However, fees can also be negotiated or determined by the time and labor required.
This guide provides an informational overview of the St. Lucie County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Probate matters in St. Lucie County are handled at the St. Lucie County Courthouse.
Address: 201 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 462-6920 (Probate Department) | (772) 462-6900 (Main Clerk's Office)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Probate Department is responsible for maintaining files on probate estates, wills, and guardianships. The court operates within the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Parking and Access
Free parking is available in the courthouse parking garage located on 2nd Street, as well as in city/county public parking lots nearby. There is also limited street parking on side streets. Security screening is required for entry into the courthouse; cell phones are generally permitted but must be silenced in courtrooms.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Disposition of Personal Property without Administration: For reimbursement of funeral/medical expenses (no specific dollar cap, but limited to expense amounts).
- Summary Administration: If the estate is valued at $75,000 or less or the decedent has been dead >2 years.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition for Administration with the St. Lucie County Clerk of Court. Include:
- Original Last Will and Testament (if applicable)
- Certified Death Certificate
- Oath of Personal Representative
- Designation of Resident Agent
- Filing fee (approx. $400)
E-Filing: Attorneys are required to e-file documents via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Pro se litigants may also use the portal or file in person.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Serve Notice of Administration on interested parties (surviving spouse, beneficiaries, etc.).
- Publish Notice to Creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in St. Lucie County (e.g., St. Lucie News-Tribune) once a week for two consecutive weeks.
- Serve Notice to Creditors on all known creditors.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
Many probate matters in St. Lucie County are handled ex parte (without a hearing) if documents are in order. If a hearing is required (e.g., for contested matters), the judge's judicial assistant will schedule it. Upon approval, the judge issues Letters of Administration.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Wait for the creditor claim period to expire (3 months after first publication).
- Inventory and appraise estate assets within 60 days of appointment.
- Pay valid creditor claims and taxes.
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
- File a Petition for Discharge and Final Accounting to close the estate.
Local Requirements
St. Lucie County-Specific Procedures
- E-Filing: The 19th Judicial Circuit and St. Lucie Clerk emphasize paperless processing. All pleadings should be filed electronically when possible.
- Checklists: The court often uses checklists for opening estates and closing estates to ensure all statutory requirements are met before the judge reviews the file.
- Proposed Orders: Should be submitted in Word format via the court's online scheduling or submission system (verify specific judge's requirements).
- Publication: Notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in St. Lucie County for 2 consecutive weeks.
Local Rule Note: Always check the specific requirements of the judge assigned to the Probate Division (currently part of the Civil Division in the 19th Circuit).
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (St. Lucie County)
- Formal Administration (Opening Estate): approximately $400.00
- Summary Administration (>$1,000): approximately $345.00
- Summary Administration (<$1,000): approximately $235.00
- Disposition of Personal Property: approximately $231.00
- Caveat: $41.00
- Recording Fees: $10.00 for first page, $8.50 for each additional page
Note: Fees are subject to change. Check the Clerk's Fee Schedule for the most current amounts.
Payment Methods
The Clerk accepts cash, checks (business/cashier's), money orders, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover) with a service fee (typically 3.5%).
Estimated Timelines
- Summary Administration: 1-3 months
- Formal Administration (Simple): 6-9 months
- Complex or Contested Estates: 12 months to 2+ years
Factors affecting timeline include the mandatory 3-month creditor period, sale of real estate, and tax return processing.
Local Resources
St. Lucie County Court Resources
- Clerk of Court Website: stlucieclerk.gov
- Probate Department: Probate Info
- Florida Courts E-Filing: myflcourtaccess.com
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- St. Lucie County Bar Association: (772) 462-6900 — stluciebar.org
- Florida Rural Legal Services: (888) 582-3410 — Provides civil legal assistance to low-income residents.
- The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: floridabar.org
Publication
- St. Lucie News-Tribune (TCPalm): (772) 283-5252 — tcpalm.com
- Hometown News: (772) 465-5656 — hometownnewstc.com