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Probate Attorney for Melbourne, Florida

Settling a Melbourne estate, often from out of state, takes a court appointment and a Florida attorney.

We handle Melbourne and Brevard County probate remotely, for a flat fee you can see up front.

  • Done remotely: phone, video, e-signature
  • Flat fees from $1,500, no hourly surprises
  • Litigates Florida probate and trust disputes in court
Book a free 30-minute consult Flat fees from $1,500 · serving Melbourne and Brevard County residents

Quick Overview

A Melbourne estate is filed in the county where the person lived, and Florida lets attorneys e-file everything, so an out-of-state family never travels to court. We handle Melbourne and Brevard County probate for flat fees from $1,500. The three kinds of probate, the timeline, and serving from out of state are below.

Topics to Know HideShow

Below, we walk through the 4 issues that decide whether this is the right move for you. Jump to any one:

  1. Probate in Brevard County: Where It’s Filed It files in the county where the person lived, and attorneys e-file every document, so an out-of-state family never has to travel to the Brevard County courthouse.
  2. Which Kind of Probate You’ll Need Most estates pass through one of three doors, and the cheapest may be open. Summary administration clears estates of $150,000 or less (raised from $75,000 on July 1, 2026), or any estate more than two years old.
  3. How Long, and What It Costs Flat fees start at $1,500 for disposition, $2,500 summary, and $3,500 formal. A formal case is paced by the 3-month creditor window, so it runs about 6 to 12 months.
  4. Out-of-State Personal Representatives You can serve as personal representative from another state if you are related to the decedent. An out-of-state child qualifies, and we handle it remotely.

That’s the quick version. The details below are what decide your situation, and where the costly mistakes hide.

Probate in Brevard County: Where It’s Filed

Melbourne is in Brevard County, which sits in Florida’s 18th Judicial Circuit. Probate is filed with Rachel M. Sadoff, the Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. Cases are handled at the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center at 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera. Attorneys e-file every document through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is why an out-of-state family can have a Brevard County estate handled without anyone traveling to the courthouse.

Brevard centralizes probate at the Moore Justice Center in Viera, so Melbourne-area estates are filed in Viera, not in Melbourne. We serve Melbourne and Brevard County residents, including Melbourne, Palm Bay, West Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Melbourne Beach, Indian Harbour Beach.

Which Kind of Probate You’ll Need

Most Brevard County estates pass through one of three doors. The cheapest one may be open:

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; clean distribution waits for it to pass. Florida law sets a presumed-reasonable attorney fee scaled to the estate, 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 Brevard 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

Under Florida law, you can serve as personal representative of a Brevard County estate from another state if you’re related to the decedent by blood, adoption, or marriage; an out-of-state child qualifies. We represent personal representatives across Melbourne and Brevard County remotely, by phone, video, and e-signature.

Handling a Melbourne estate?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is probate filed in Brevard County?

Probate is filed with Rachel M. Sadoff, the Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, in the 18th 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 Brevard 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 local 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 Melbourne and Brevard County by phone, video, and e-signature.

Sources

Updated July 11, 2026. Reviewed by Kevin D. Klagge, Esq., Fla. Bar No. 99502. Attorney Kevin Klagge represents families, businesses, and international clients in estate planning and international law, with a focus on Florida legal tools. He litigates estate and business issues in court. General information about Florida law, not legal advice. We serve Melbourne and Brevard County residents remotely; this is not a Melbourne office.

Melbourne probate, handled remotely

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