Probate in Miami-Dade County: Where It’s Filed
Miami-Dade County sits in Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit. Probate is filed with the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Circuit Court, in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. Cases are handled at the Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center. The Probate Division has six circuit judges and two general magistrates. Attorneys e-file every document through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is why an out-of-state family can have a Miami-Dade County estate handled without anyone traveling to the courthouse.
Miami-Dade probate case numbers end in “CP-02,” and the Probate Division publishes checklists and a “Probate Attorneys’ Corner.” Miami-Dade requires the court’s Probate Smart Forms for many filings. We serve residents of Miami-Dade County and nearby communities, including Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Doral, Aventura, Homestead, Kendall.
Which Kind of Probate You’ll Need
Most Miami-Dade County estates pass through one of three doors. The cheapest one may be open:
- Disposition without administration (§735.301) — tiny estates with only exempt property and final-expense reimbursement; days to weeks.
- Summary administration (§735.201) — estates of $75,000 or less after exempt property, or when the decedent died more than two years ago; often weeks.
- Formal administration (ch. 733) — everything else; a personal representative is appointed and the case runs about 6 to 12 months.
We confirm which applies at your consult, and quote a flat fee. Estimate the cost and timeline first →
How Long, and What It Costs
Formal administration is paced by the 3-month creditor-claim window (§733.702); clean distribution waits for it to pass. Florida sets a presumed-reasonable attorney fee scaled to the estate (§733.6171), but it’s a ceiling, not a mandate. Our flat fees start at $1,500 (disposition), $2,500 (summary), and $3,500 (formal). Government costs, the Miami-Dade County filing fee (about $400), newspaper publication, and certified copies, are additional and passed through at cost. See the full Florida probate guide →
Out-of-State Personal Representatives
You can serve as personal representative of a Miami-Dade County estate from another state if you’re related to the decedent by blood, adoption, or marriage (§733.304); an out-of-state child qualifies. We represent personal representatives across Miami-Dade County remotely, by phone, video, and e-signature.
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Book your free consultFrequently Asked Questions
Where is probate filed in Miami-Dade County?
Probate is filed with the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Circuit Court, in the 11th Judicial Circuit, where the decedent was domiciled. Attorneys e-file through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, so you don't have to appear in person. We handle Miami-Dade County estates remotely.
How long will it take?
Formal administration in any Florida county usually runs 6 to 12 months because the 3-month creditor-claim window (§733.702) must pass. Summary administration is faster, often a few weeks to about two months.
Do I need a Miami-Dade County attorney if I live out of state?
You need a Florida attorney for most formal administrations (Fla. Prob. R. 5.030), but you don't need to be local. We represent personal representatives across Miami-Dade County and beyond by phone, video, and e-signature.
Sources
- Fla. Stat. ch. 733–735 (administration); §733.304 (nonresident PR); §733.702 (creditor claims); Fla. Prob. R. 5.030 (attorney required). Filing via the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Circuit Court (11th Judicial Circuit) and the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. (retrieved 2026-06-06)
Updated June 6, 2026. Reviewed by Kevin D. Klagge, Esq., Fla. Bar No. 99502. General information about Florida law, not legal advice. We serve Miami-Dade County residents remotely; this is not a Miami-Dade County office.