The transfer of probate cases has now been completed. Transfer orders were signed by Chief Judge Glenn Kelley.  However, none of the cases are assigned to Judge Kelley. All probate cases have been transferred to either Division IA (Judge Laura Johnson) or Division IZ (Judge Charles Burton).

For information, please review the Divisional Instructions for either Division IA or Division IZ.

WEST PALM BEACH – It is with great sadness that the Circuit announces the passing of the Honorable Janis Brustares Keyser on Monday, August 1, 2022. Judge Janis Keyser was born and raised in Miami. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida, where she first met her husband, Judge Gregory Keyser.

After law school, Judge Keyser obtained a clerkship with United States District Court Judge Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. She then became an associate with Jones & Foster, P.A., followed by a clerkship with Fourth District Court of Appeal Judge James C. Downey. After her clerkship, Judge Keyser worked for various law firms until her 2006 appointment to the County Court bench by former Governor Jeb Bush. In 2011, Judge Keyser was elevated to the Circuit Court bench by former Governor Rick Scott. After 16 years of dedicated service, Judge Keyser retired on June 30, 2022.

Judge Janis Brustares Keyser will be remembered as a compassionate and dedicated jurist. She will be greatly missed by her former colleagues as well as the staff of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.

For additional information, please contact Debra Oats at 561-355-4495 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Please click here for the press release. 

Please click here to view the AO.

Melanie Surber, of Delray Beach, to serve as Judge on the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court

Surber has served as a Judge on the Palm Beach County Court since her appointment by Governor DeSantis in 2019. Previously, she served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General for 19 years in the Criminal Appeals Division. She received her bachelor’s degree from Boston University and her law degree from Nova Southeastern University. Surber fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Janis Brustares Keyser.

Effective July 5, Court Administration began drafting Orders for the Chief Judge to Transfer cases into IA and IZ from the other Probate/Guardianship divisions.    The transfer process is expected to take 30 days and will cease once all pending and reopened cases are successfully transferred into IA and IZ.  Please continue to check the Circuit’s website for updates: https://15thcircuit.com/announcement/reorganization-probate-guardianship

Below is the order of the transfers.  Transfers into IA and IZ will occur simultaneously.

Please click here to view AO.

Please click here to view AO.

Please click here to view AO.

Please click here to view AO.

Please click here to view AO.