St. Lucie County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• Attorneys are required by law to file or record documents electronically. A non-attorney may file through the portal or in person at the clerk's office. stlucieclerk.gov
• The circuit directs most probate filings to the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The original will, codicils and death certificates are filed on paper. circuit19.org
• Proposed orders and letters of administration are not sent through the e-portal; they go by email to [email protected] (Judge Mish's probate memorandum and Judge Levin's guidelines). circuit19.org

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Probate fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. Each posted fee that has a § 28.2401 amount is $1 above that amount (plus the $4 petition charge where § 28.2401(3) applies), except the exemplified certificate, which matches it.

Judges and divisions

19th Judicial Circuit. Serves Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.

Courthouses that hear probate

• St. Lucie County Courthouse (Main), 218 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950; 772-462-6900 circuit19.org probate assignment

• Florida Courts lists the Nineteenth Circuit as Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties. The circuit's own site lists the same four counties. flcourts.gov
• General magistrates appointed under AO 2025-06 may hear probate and guardianship matters. The appendix revised August 3, 2026 names Lindsay Stroke, Bruce Baillie, Adrienne Fleming and Kathryn Hill. circuit19.org
• Two circuit judges split St. Lucie County probate cases: Judge Steven Levin takes the even-numbered probate cases and all guardianship cases, and Judge Katherine Mish takes the odd-numbered probate cases. circuit19.org
• Judge Levin sits in Courtroom 3E and Judge Mish in Courtroom 1A at the St. Lucie County Courthouse, 218 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce. Judge Levin's telephone is (772) 462-1469 and Judge Mish's is (772) 462-2545. circuit19.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 19th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in St. Lucie County. Circuit order index.

• AO 2026-03 (Amended), Judicial Assignments for 2026. Date: January 12, 2026 (effective January 12, 2026). Assigns the circuit's judges to divisions and counties for 2026, including the probate and guardianship judges in each of the four counties; supersedes AO 2025-08.
• AO 2025-06 (Amended), Magistrates and Hearing Officers. Date: September 25, 2025, amended October 20, 2025 (appendix revised August 3, 2026). Appoints the circuit's general magistrates, who may hear probate and guardianship matters under Probate Rules 5.095 and 5.697; the appendix lists Lindsay Stroke, Bruce Baillie, Adrienne Fleming and Kathryn Hill.
• AO 2026-06, Rescission of Administrative Order 2025-10; Use of Artificial Intelligence in Court Filings. Date: June 16, 2026 (effective June 15, 2026). Rescinds the circuit's artificial intelligence filing order; filers follow Rule 2.515 as amended, under which the signer is responsible for verifying every legal authority cited.

Local requirements and forms

Where and how to file

• A probate case is filed with the clerk in the proper county: the county of residence for a Florida resident (see the death certificate), or the county where the property is located for a non-resident. circuit19.org
• Most filings go through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The original will, any codicils and original death certificates are filed on paper. circuit19.org
• The custodian of a will deposits it with the clerk in the county where the decedent lived. circuit19.org

Court submissions by email

• For St. Lucie County, the Probate & Guardianship Division page lists [email protected] as the address for pleadings, proposed orders and communications. circuit19.org
• Each submission email carries a subject line with the case number, estate name and document type, a copy of the filed pleadings, the proposed order in Microsoft Word, the completed checklist for opening or closing an estate, and a description of the requested court action. circuit19.org
• A probate case must be opened before documents are submitted. The circuit states that no ex parte communications are forwarded to judges. circuit19.org

Forms

• The circuit's Forms and Checklists page offers these probate forms: Petition to Determine Homestead Intestate, Petition to Determine Exempt Property, Petition for Summary Administration Pro Se, and Exhibit A, Schedule of Creditors and Provision for Payment, all as Word files. circuit19.org

Clerk guidance on common probate filings

• A formal administration must be filed by a Florida attorney unless the personal representative is the sole beneficiary (Florida Probate Rule 5.030, cited by the clerk). The clerk has no formal administration forms and points to the Rupert J. Smith Law Library. stlucieclerk.gov
• The clerk states that a summary administration may be filed when the entire estate does not exceed $150,000 or when the decedent has been dead more than two years, which matches § 735.201(2). stlucieclerk.gov
• A disposition of personal property without administration reimburses a person who paid final expenses out of pocket. Prepaid funeral plans and bills paid by insurance do not qualify. Final expenses include funeral costs up to $6,000 or medical bills from the last 60 days of life. stlucieclerk.gov
• Since October 1, 2025, the clerk charges $7.00 to verify service of a statement of claim and note the date of service (§ 28.24(9)(a), Florida Statutes). The fee is paid before the statement of claim is returned. stlucieclerk.gov
• The custodian of a will deposits it with the clerk in the county where the decedent lived within ten days after learning of the death. An index fee applies. stlucieclerk.gov
• Attorneys must file electronically. A non-attorney member of the public is not required to e-file and may file in person at the clerk's office. stlucieclerk.gov

Judge Levin's probate procedures (effective December 10, 2025)

• Probate checklists, petitions and motions, proposed orders and letters of administration go to [email protected]. Guardianship matters and notices of hearing go to [email protected]. circuit19.org
• Checklists are required to open and to close an estate. An attorney signs each checklist personally; signature stamps are not allowed. Original documents and money are not sent to the judge's office. circuit19.org
• Proposed orders go in Microsoft Word format with a transmittal letter to all counsel and pro se parties and a copy of the motion or petition. When counsel is asked to prepare an order, it is drafted and circulated within two business days of the hearing. circuit19.org
• The office is paperless. Notices of hearing are emailed to [email protected] and served on opposing counsel at least five business days before the hearing. circuit19.org
• Hearings of 45 minutes or less, including uniform motion calendar and special set hearings, are scheduled online by counsel after registering. Longer hearings are requested through the judicial assistant by email. circuit19.org
• Uniform motion calendar hearings last 5 to 10 minutes and cover non-evidentiary motions only. Uniform motion calendar and special set hearings may be attended by Zoom if the judicial assistant is notified at least 3 days before. circuit19.org
• Hearings must be cleared with opposing counsel or pro se parties. All evidentiary hearings and trials are recorded by a court reporter that the moving party arranges. To set a trial, the filer files a notice for trial and sends a copy to the judicial assistant. circuit19.org
• Every notice of hearing lists the courthouse address (218 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce), Courtroom 3-E, the hearing time reserved and the Zoom link information. Every proposed order carries the e-portal service language. circuit19.org

Judge Mish's probate memorandum (effective February 18, 2026)

• All probate (CP) checklists, petitions and motions, proposed orders and letters of administration go by email to [email protected]. The probate case managers process submissions in the order received. circuit19.org
• Proposed orders and letters are not submitted on paper or through the e-portal. An urgent submission is marked EMERGENCY or URGENT in the subject line, and the judicial assistant is not called about order status. circuit19.org
• Attorneys and pro se parties schedule hearings in the online scheduling system, then email the notice of hearing and a copy of the e-filed motion or petition to [email protected]. Hearing packets go to the same address by the specified date, or the hearing is stricken. circuit19.org
• Pro se probate cases are handled by a case manager. Checklists are required to open and close an estate and are signed personally by the attorney. The memorandum states that no checklist exists for homestead petitions. circuit19.org
• The court requires a bond in every estate with a foreign personal representative, even if the will waives bond. A cash bond may be deposited with the clerk with the registry fee. circuit19.org
• Court filings and proposed orders show the full address of every party or the email address where service was made. Original documents and money are not sent to the judge. circuit19.org
• Before filing a probate motion, the movant confers with the opposing party and ends the motion with a certificate of conferral. Every motion and notice of hearing carries a certificate of good faith that the movant contacted the opposing party and coordinated the hearing. circuit19.org

Forms and checklists

• Judge Levin probate and guardianship guidelines (effective December 10, 2025), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Judge Mish probate memorandum (effective February 18, 2026), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Judge Levin procedures page, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Judge Mish procedures page, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Opening a Formal Administration (Judge Levin), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Closing a Formal Administration (Judge Levin), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Summary Administration (Judge Levin), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Disposition of Personal Property (Judge Levin), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Opening a Formal Administration (Judge Mish), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Closing a Formal Administration (Judge Mish), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Summary Administration (Judge Mish), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Disposition of Personal Property (Judge Mish), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Affidavit of Heirs (St. Lucie County), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
• Petition for Summary Administration without a will, clerk packet, St. Lucie Clerk
• Petition for Summary Administration with a will, clerk packet, St. Lucie Clerk
• Disposition of Personal Property without Administration, clerk packet, St. Lucie Clerk
• Probate forms on the circuit's Forms and Checklists page (Word files), Nineteenth Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• A homestead exemption needs title to the property as recorded in St. Lucie County, a permanent residence in good faith, and permanent Florida residency as of January 1. The filing deadline is March 1, and pre-file applications are accepted during the year. paslc.gov
• The property appraiser's exemptions telephone is 772-462-1021. Offices are at 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, and 250 NW Country Club Drive, Port Saint Lucie; the main number is 772-462-1000. paslc.gov

Death certificates

• Death certificates are ordered through VitalChek, the only vendor the Department of Health authorizes online, or in person or by mail at the Port St. Lucie office. A copy of valid identification goes with every request. stlucie.floridahealth.gov
• The St. Lucie County health department issues certificates for deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present. Earlier deaths are requested from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville or through VitalChek. Cause of death is released to family members and legal representatives. stlucie.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• Section 735.201(2), Florida Statutes, sets the summary administration limit at $150,000, or a decedent dead more than two years (chapter 2026-57). flsenate.gov
• The clerk's Public Search page links the Court Case Search, and attorneys must file electronically. stlucieclerk.gov
• The clerk's main office, 201 S. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, takes court case filings, payments and copies. The clerk's St. Lucie West branch handles county civil, small claims and traffic filings. stlucieclerk.gov
• The circuit's court administration office is at 250 NW Country Club Dr., Suite 217, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986. circuit19.org
• The probate form packets on the clerk's site include the petition for summary administration with and without a will and the petition for disposition of personal property without administration. stlucieclerk.gov

Sources

Last checked: October 16, 2026. Each source shows the text that supports the facts above.

1. Florida Statutes § 28.2401, probate service charges and filing fees (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Fee for formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings .......... $395
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at $1,000 or more .......... $340
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at less than $1,000 .......... $230
   • Charge for caveat .......... $40
   • Fee for disposition of personal property without administration .......... $230
   • Fee for guardianship proceedings of person only .......... $230
   • Charge for exemplified certificates .......... $7
   • An additional service charge of $4 on petitions seeking summary administration, formal administration, ancillary administration, guardianship, curatorship, and conservatorship shall be paid to the clerk.
   • Recording shall be required for all petitions opening and closing an estate; petitions regarding real estate; and orders, letters, bonds, oaths, wills, proofs of wills, returns, and such other papers as the judge shall deem advisable to record or that shall be required to be recorded under the Florida Probate Code.
   • Fee for the opening of any estate of one document or more
   • not to exceed the following amounts
2. Florida Statutes § 735.201, summary administration (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • does not exceed $150,000 or that the decedent has been dead for more than 2 years
   • s. 7, ch. 2026-57
3. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal serves as a single, statewide access point connecting thousands of users to Florida's court system.
4. Florida Courts, Trial Courts (Circuit) list, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Nineteenth Circuit - Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie

   Note: The circuit list is built by script on the page. The text was read in a browser on October 16, 2026.

5. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Serving Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and Saint Lucie counties.
   • The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit serves the Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties.
   • 250 NW Country Club, Dr. Suite 217 Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986
6. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Probate & Guardianship Division, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The Probate Division covers estates, wills, trust litigation, and guardianships.
   • Hon. Steven J. Levin
   • Hon. Katherine Mish
   • Hon. Sherwood Bauer Jr.
   • Hon. Rebecca I. White
   • Hon. Laurie E. Buchanan
   • All pleadings, proposed orders, and communications must be submitted via email to the appropriate county address:
   • St. Lucie [email protected] Martin [email protected] Indian River [email protected] Okeechobee [email protected]
   • Subject line: Case number, estate name, and document type
   • Copy of filed pleadings
   • Proposed order in Microsoft Word
   • Completed checklist (for opening or closing estate)
   • Description of the requested court action
   • Note: You must open a probate case before submitting any documents. No ex parte communications will be forwarded to judges.
   • If the deceased was a Florida resident, file in the county of residence (see death certificate).
   • If not a Florida resident, file in the county where property is located.
   • Use the Florida Courts e-Filing Portal for most filings
   • Original Wills Original Codicils Original Death Certificates
   • Where do I file a will? With the Clerk's office in the county where the decedent lived.
   • Florida Probate Rules - Effective January 1, 2026 (PDF)
7. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • 2026-03 Amended Judicial Assignments for 2026 (PDF) - Order 2026-03 Amended
   • 2025-06 Amended Magistrates and Hearing Officers (PDF) - Order 2025-06 Amended
   • 2026-06 Rescission of Administrative Order 2025-10; Use of Artificial Intelligence in Court Filings (PDF) - Order 2026-06
8. Amended Administrative Order 2026-03, Judicial Assignments for 2026, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2026-03
   • (Superseding Administrative Order 2025-08)
   • EFFECTIVE JANUARY 12, 2026
   • this 12th day of January, 2026
9. Amended Administrative Order 2025-06, Magistrates and Hearing Officers, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Probate and guardianship matters (Florida Probate Rules 5.095 and 5.697)
   • Each person listed in Appendix A is hereby appointed as a General Magistrate for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
   • 4:48 pm, Oct 20, 2025
10. Appendix to Administrative Order 2025-06 (revised August 3, 2026), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Originally issued: September 25, 2025 Revised: August 3, 2026
    • Lindsay Stroke Bruce Baillie Adrienne Fleming Kathryn Hill
11. Administrative Order 2026-06, Rescission of Administrative Order 2025-10, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Administrative Order 2025-10, In re: Use of Artificial Intelligence in Court Filings, is hereby RESCINDED, effective June 15, 2026
    • signers are reminded that they bear full responsibility for verifying the existence and accuracy of every legal authority cited in a filing
    • on this 16th day of June 2026
12. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Forms and Checklists, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Petition to Determine Homestead Intestate
    • Petition to Determine Exempt Property
    • Petition for Summary Administration Pro Se
    • Exhibit A - Schedule of Creditors and Provision for Payment
    • The following checklists are provided to assist litigants in managing the filing of forms related to their court cases.
13. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Courthouse Locations, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Okeechobee County Courthouse
    • 312 N.W. 3rd St., Okeechobee, FL 34972 863-763-2131
    • St Lucie County Courthouse - Main
    • 218 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950 772-462-6900
    • Indian River County Courthouse
    • 2000 16th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960 772-770-5185
    • Martin County Courthouse
    • 100 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994 772-288-5576
14. St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Probate, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • For information on the Judge's Probate Procedures, visit Judge Steven J. Levin - Circuit 19 .
    • A formal administration must be filed by an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida, unless the personal representative is the sole beneficiary. (Florida Probate Rule 5.030)
    • This type of proceeding may be filed when the value of the entire estate does not exceed $150,000 or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years.
    • Any expenses paid must be out-of-pocket funds - prepaid funeral plans and bills paid by insurance do not qualify.
    • Final expenses include funeral costs up to $6,000 or medical bills that incurred in the last 60 days of the decedent's life.
    • Pursuant to Florida Statute 28.24(9)(a), a fee of $7.00 will be assessed for verifying that the Statement of Claim was served and noting the date of service.
    • EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025:
    • The will of the decedent must be deposited by the custodian with the Clerk's office in the county where the decedent resided within ten days after learning of the death.
    • An index fee applies.
    • You may obtain these documents at the Rupert J. Smith Law Library.
    • Probate 201 South Indian River Drive, 4th Floor Fort Pierce, FL 34950
    • Attn: Circuit Civil Department P. O. Box 700 Fort Pierce, FL 34954
    • Hours of Operation 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday (Excluding Holidays ) Phone: 772-462-6938
    • Petition For Summary Without Will Packet
    • Petition For Summary With Will Packet
    • Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration Packet
    • Petition to Determine Homestead (Intestate)
    • Petition to Determine Exempt Property
    • Affidavit of Heirs
15. St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Locations & Hours, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Hours of Operation Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Main Office Address 201 S. Indian River Drive Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Services at this location include: Court Case Filings, Payments & Copies
16. St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Fees & Costs, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate (FS 28.2401) 1. Will for Deposit Only $1.00 2. Formal Administration $400.00 3. Summary Administration a. $1,000.00 or more $345.00 b. $1,000.00 or less $235.00 4. Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration $231.00 5. Caveat or Notice of Trust $41.00 6. Petition & order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies, or transcript of record $231.00
    • Not for issuance of letters or orders of summary administration. $231.00
    • 8. Guardianship (ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship) Person and Property $400.00 9. Guardianship Person Only $235.00 10. Guardianship Veteran's Administration $235.00 11. Petition for Determination of Incapacity $231.00
    • 14. Exemplified Certificates $7.00 plus $1.00 per each page requested
    • 15. Reopening a Case (does not apply to guardianships or mental health cases) $50.00
    • Service and Certification of Statement of Claim $7.00
    • Personal checks are accepted in Family Relations, Civil, and Probate.
17. St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court, E-File Cases, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Attorneys are required by law to file or record documents electronically.
    • as a (non-attorney) member of the public, you are not required to E-File. You may still file in person at the Clerk's office.
18. St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Public Search, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Public Search
    • Court Case Search
19. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Steven J. Levin, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Judge Steven J. Levin
    • Circuit Judge
    • 320 Courthouse Addition 218 South Second Street Fort Pierce, FL 34950
    • Courtroom: 3E
    • Phone: (772) 462-1469
    • Saint Lucie County: All Non-Jury Civil Cases, including Residential and Commercial Mortgage Foreclosures; One-half of all Probate Cases (all even numbered cases); All Guardianship Cases (and corresponding MH cases);
    • Probate - [email protected]
    • Guardianship - [email protected]
    • All Notices of Hearing must include: Courthouse Address : 218 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Courtroom Number : 3-E Amount of Hearing Time Reserved Zoom Link Information
    • ALL proposed orders must have the language below under the service list
    • Open Formal Administration Checklist (PDF)
    • Close Formal Administration Checklist (PDF)
    • Summary Administration Checklist (PDF)
    • Disposition of Personal Property Checklist (PDF)
    • Affidavit of Heirs (Word)
20. Judge Levin, Probate and Guardianship Guidelines and Procedures (effective December 10, 2025), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate and Guardianship Guidelines and Procedures
    • (Effective December 10, 2025)
    • The email address for submitting probate checklists, petitions/motions, proposed orders, and letters of administration for processing is: [email protected]
    • Checklists are required for both Opening and Closing Estates.
    • Attorneys must verify completion and correctness of the Checklists by personal signature. No signature stamps are allowed.
    • Original documents and monies are not to be sent to the Judge's office, and the Judge's office takes no responsibility for such items.
    • Proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format with a transmittal letter confirmation to all counsel and pro se parties and copy of motion/petition.
    • If counsel is asked to prepare an order, the order shall be drafted and circulated within 2 business days of the hearing
    • All evidentiary matters (both trials and hearings) must be recorded by a court reporter. It is the moving party's responsibility to arrange to have a court reporter present.
    • This office is paperless. All notices of hearing must be emailed to [email protected]
    • All hearings for 45 minutes or less, including Uniform Motion Calendar and Special Set Hearings must be scheduled online by counsel.
    • Any hearings requiring more than 45 minutes must be scheduled by contacting Judge Levin's Judicial Assistant via e- mail.
    • Uniform Motion Calendar hearings are for 5 to 10 minutes, non-evidentiary motions only.
    • UMC Hearings and Special Set Hearings may be attended via Zoom.
    • at least 3 days prior to the hearing.
    • Hearings must be cleared with opposing counsel and/or pro se parties.
    • Notice of the hearing must be provided at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing.
    • a notice for trial shall be filed in the court file and a copy shall be submitted to the Judges' Judicial Assistant via email
21. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Katherine Mish, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Judge Katherine Mish
    • Circuit Judge
    • 226 Courthouse Addition. 218 South Second St. Fort Pierce, FL 34950
    • Courtroom: 1A
    • Phone: (772) 462-2545
    • Probate/ Dependency Conferral prior to filing motions: Before filing a motion, the movant must confer with the opposing party in a good-faith effort to resolve the issues raised in the motion.
    • All motions and notices of hearing must contain a certificate of good faith that you have contacted the opposing party
    • Probate hearings can be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant after sending a copy of the Motion to the Judicial Assistant.
    • Probate Memo (PDF)
22. Judge Mish, St. Lucie County Probate Memorandum (effective February 18, 2026), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ST LUCIE COUNTY PROBATE MEMORANDUM KATHERINE MISH, CIRCUIT JUDGE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 18TH, 2026
    • The notice address for submitting ALL PROBATE (CP) checklists, petitions/motions, proposed orders, and letters of administration is [email protected].
    • DO NOT SUBMIT HARD COPIES OF PROPOSED ORDERS/LETTERS TO THE JUDGE OR SUBMIT PROPOSED ORDERS/LETTERS THROUGH THE E-PORTAL.
    • Submissions are reviewed and processed by the probate case managers in the order received.
    • If a submission is urgent, please indicate "EMERGENCY" or "URGENT" in the subject line
    • DO NOT CALL THE JUDICIAL ASSISTANT TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF YOUR ORDERS.
    • HEARING REQUESTS Attorney's and Pro Se Parties may schedule hearings using the online scheduling system.
    • Once Scheduled, a Notice of Hearing must be submitted, via e-mail, to the Judicial Assistant at [email protected]
    • ALL HEARING PACKETS FOR SCHEDULED PROBATE HEARINGS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO [email protected].
    • All pro se cases are handled by a case manager.
    • Checklists are required for both Opening and Closing Estates.
    • PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO CHECKLIST FOR HOMESTEAD PETITIONS.
    • Attorneys must verify completion and correctness of the Checklists by personal signature. No signature stamps are allowed.
    • An appropriate bond will be required on all estates with a foreign personal representative regardless of waiver in the Will.
    • Cash bonds may be deposited with the Clerk of Court with the applicable registry fee.
    • ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS AND MONIES ARE NOT TO BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE JUDGE'S OFFICE
    • All court filings and proposed orders MUST contain proper address certification
23. St. Lucie County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Fort Pierce Office Phone: 772-462-1000 Email: [email protected] Address: 2300 Virginia Avenue
    • Saint Lucie West Office Phone: 772-462-1000 Email: [email protected] Address: 250 NW Country Club Drive
    • Fort Pierce Office 2300 Virginia Avenue Fort Pierce, FL 34982

    Note: Automated page fetches of paslc.gov return 403. The text was read in a browser on October 16, 2026.

24. St. Lucie County Property Appraiser, Learn About Exemptions, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • If your property is your permanent residence, or homestead, you may be eligible for a tax exemption.
    • You must meet the following requirements as of January 1st of the qualifying tax year:
    • In good faith make the property your permanent residence.
    • Be a permanent resident of the State of Florida.
    • The filing deadline is March 1st of the tax year for which you are applying. However, pre-file applications are accepted during the year.
    • please contact the Property Appraiser's Office at 772-462-1021.

    Note: Automated page fetches of paslc.gov return 403. The text was read in a browser on October 16, 2026; the homestead requirements sit in the page's Homestead Exemption tab.

25. Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Order death certificates online through VitalChek
    • the only vendor authorized by the Florida Department of Health
    • Death Certificates are available for deaths occurring in the state of Florida from 2009 to present.
    • A legible copy of a valid driver's license, passport, state-issued ID, or military identification card must accompany all requests.
    • You must be a family member or legal representative when requesting cause of death.
    • Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • close a half hour for lunch from noon - 12:30 p.m.
    • $17 Death Certificate $17 Additional Certificates $10 Rush Fee $3 Certificate Protective Carton Folder $1 Shipping and Handling (standard USPS mail) $2 Search Fee, per year
    • Vital Statistics 772-873-4932 772-873-8592 (Fax) 5150 NW Milner Drive Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
26. Checklist for Opening a Formal Administration (Judge Levin), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Checklist for Opening a Formal Administration
    • Steven J. Levin, Circuit Judge
27. Checklist for Closing a Formal Administration (Judge Levin), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Checklist for Closing a Formal Administration
    • Steven J. Levin, Circuit Judge
28. Checklist for Summary Administration (Judge Levin), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Checklist for Summary Administration
    • Steven J. Levin, Circuit Judge
29. Checklist for Disposition of Personal Property (Judge Levin), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Checklist for Disposition of Personal Property
    • Steven J. Levin, Circuit Judge
30. Checklist for Opening a Formal Administration (Judge Mish), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Checklist for Opening a Formal Administration
    • Katherine D. Mish, Circuit Judge
31. Checklist for Closing a Formal Administration (Judge Mish), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Checklist for Closing a Formal Administration
    • Katherine D. Mish, Circuit Judge
32. Checklist for Summary Administration (Judge Mish), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Checklist for Summary Administration
    • Katherine D. Mish, Circuit Judge
33. Checklist for Disposition of Personal Property (Judge Mish), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Checklist for Disposition of Personal Property
    • Katherine D. Mish
34. Affidavit of Heirs (St. Lucie County), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN AND FOR ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
35. Petition for Summary Administration without a will, clerk packet, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • PETITION FOR SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION Florida Probate Rule 5.530
36. Petition for Summary Administration with a will, clerk packet, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • PETITION FOR SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION Florida Probate Rule 5.530
37. Disposition of Personal Property without Administration, clerk packet, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION