Miami-Dade County Probate Court Records

In Miami-Dade County,Florida, probate cases are heard at the 11th Judicial Circuit Court. The court hears probate cases involving issues such as the administration of wills, estates, and trusts. Probate court records are a compilation of all probate case files, including documents filed during the course of the case proceeding. A typical probate case record may include these components:

• Petition for probate: This is a written request to the circuit court to begin a probate case proceeding.
• Last will and testaments: These are legal documents that provide instructions on the administration and division of the deceased’s assets.
• Creditor claims: Creditor claims are formal requests to recoup debts from a deceased’s assets before the assets are divided amongst beneficiaries.
• Court orders: A court order contains the judge’s final instructions regarding a probate case.
• Estate inventory: This is a comprehensive list of all assets and debts accrued by the deceased at the time of death. The list may also include estimated values of the properties.
• Final accounting: The final accounting is a summary of all expenses, assets, and final distributions to beneficiaries.

Public Access to Probate Court Records in Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County probate court records are mostly accessible to the public. Under the Florida Public Records Law, the public can inspect and obtain copies of these records by contacting the designated government entities.

These entities have the right to grant or deny access to court records in their custody. For example, government entities may refuse access to records whose disclosure can potentially expose the record subject to danger. Examples of such records include the following:

• Personal information about minors and beneficiaries.
• Social security numbers and bank statements filed during probate cases.
• Court records that were sealed by court order or statutes.

Methods for Searching Miami-Dade County Probate Court Records

Record seekers may search Miami-Dade County probate court records by using resources and options maintained by specific government entities. Available resources may consist of online searches through case-searchable portals as well as offline requests made by mail or in person.

Online searches generally require you to provide basic information about the court record. In contrast, you can request records offline by submitting a written form to the Miami-Dade County Clerk and Comptroller.

How to Find Miami-Dade County Probate Cases Online for Free

The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller offers and maintains free searchable case portals for court records. You may search Miami-Dade County probate cases by using any of these free online search platforms:

• Quick Online Search platform
• Civil, Family, and Probate Court Online System

You must provide the case or citation number to view records on the Quick Online Search platform. However, you may follow this guide to access records on the Probate Court Online System:

1. Choose a preferred search option: the Single Case or Multiple Case Search option.
2. Input relevant search data, such as the party name, case number, or filing date.
3. Click on “Search” to generate relevant case information.

Accessing Miami-Dade County Probate Court Records in Person

The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller allows in-person requests for probate court case records. To make an in-person request, you must visit the agency at:

The clerk of court may attend to in-person requests during official business hours. In addition, the clerk will charge fees for searching and making copies of requested probate case records.

Requesting Miami-Dade County Probate Court Records by Mail

In Miami-Dade County, interested persons may request probate court records via mail sent to this address:

The request must include:

• Case/book/page number
• Case year
• Names of parties involved.
• The required fees in the form of a money order or check payable to the Clerk of Courts.
• A self-addressed stamped envelope.

Miami-Dade County Probate Court Record Access Methods

Applicable Fees for Miami-Dade County Probate Court Record Requests

The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller charges search fees, per-page copy fees, and certification fees. As of December 2025, the agency charges $1 per page and $2 to certify a court document. Additionally, it charges $2 per year to search if the case year is unknown.

Understanding the Parties Involved in Probate Cases

In Miami-Dade County, probate court records typically reveal information about parties involved in the court case. These parties have specific roles, which affect the outcome of the case proceeding. You will mostly find these parties in a probate case record:

• Decedent: This is a legal term for the deceased individual whose estate is being settled or distributed to heirs or beneficiaries.
• Heirs: These are persons who are statutorily eligible to inherit the decedent’s estate. An heir could be someone who shares close family ties with the deceased.
• Beneficiary: A beneficiary is a person or entity who is named in a will to receive inheritance from the decedent’s estate.
• Executor: These are persons or entities appointed in a will to manage the distribution of a decedent’s assets. The court may appoint an executor in the absence of a will.
• Attorney: These are legal representatives of parties involved in probate case proceedings. Their duty generally revolves around filing documents and providing legal defense.
• Creditor: These are persons or entities owed by the decedent. Creditors usually file a claim to recoup debts owed during probate cases.

It is crucial to identify these parties for reasons such as the following:

• To determine the assets and liabilities left by the decedent.
• To locate lost relations who may be listed as beneficiaries or heirs.
• To determine who is responsible for managing the deceased’s estate.

Legal Purpose and Importance of Probate Court Records in Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County probate records are vital legal documents for these reasons:

• They help to document the transfer of assets from the decedent’s estate to beneficiaries or heirs.
• They serve as evidence that the court followed standard legal procedure during the case proceeding. This also helps to prevent disputes that may arise as a result of property distribution.
• They are important for genealogy research. Probate records typically contain the deceased’s personal information and heirlooms, which may prove useful in such research.

Additionally, interested parties may utilize probate records to resolve property disputes. Probate records often include property deeds and land records, which may contain details about old boundaries and property size.

Differences Between Wills, Estates, and Other Probate Filings

Miami-Dade County probate court records are a compilation of legally significant documents. Examples of such documents include:

• Wills (last testaments): Wills are legal documents that contain the deceased’s decision regarding the distribution and management of their assets.
• Estate inventories and accountings: This is a full list of all the deceased’s assets and liabilities as of the time of death. The document may also outline the estimated value of the estate and current income or liabilities accumulated by the estate.
• Guardianship or conservatorship records: The document reveals information about court-appointed guardians and conservators managing the deceased’s estates and dependents.
• Petitions and motions filed during probate: A petition is a formal request to initiate a probate case proceeding.