Alachua County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk accepts documents e-filed through the Florida ePortal and is not authorized to accept documents for filing by e-mail. alachuacounty.us
• Filers register an ePortal account at no charge; the clerk page gives the FCCC Services Group help line, 1-850-577-4609, for account and password help. alachuacounty.us
• Reopen fees are not assessed automatically in the ePortal; the filer may add them in the Additional Fees section and the clerk notifies the filer if one is due. alachuacounty.us
• The clerk's online court records access page serves the court records index; probate, guardianship, trust and will cases carry CP case numbers (example 1999CP1234). alachuacounty.us

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. Alachua's posted schedule says charges are current as of January 1, 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 $7.00 exemplified certificate, which matches it.

Judges and divisions

8th Judicial Circuit. Serves Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties.

Courthouses that hear probate

• Alachua County Family / Civil Justice Center, 201 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601; (352) 374-3636; 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; closed on holidays circuit8.org probate assignment

• Alachua County probate has two tracks: the Division A judge, and general magistrates under AO 9.03, with pro se probate cases going to a separate magistrate. circuit8.org
• AO 9.03 (v 2027-1), effective January 4, 2027, names Judge James M. Colaw as Chief Judge for Alachua County probate and guardianship. circuit8.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 8th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Alachua County. Circuit order index.

• AO 9.03 (v 2026-3), General Assignments. Date: Effective August 24, 2026. Lists the circuit judge who hears probate and guardianship cases in each county.
• AO 9.03 (v 2027-1), General Assignments. Date: Effective January 4, 2027. Replaces the 2026 assignments from January 4, 2027, with new probate and guardianship judge assignments in several counties.
• AO 9.01 (v2026-1), Assignment of Alachua County Circuit and County Cases to Divisions. Date: Effective March 10, 2026. Assigns Alachua County probate, guardianship and Chapter 744 incapacity cases to Division A.
• AO 7.01, Probate Case Management. Date: Effective November 29, 1995 (signed October 5, 2012). Sets case management for estates open more than 8 months, with a status report allowed 10 days before the conference and an inventory compliance report from the clerk.
• AO 7.02 (v3), Procedures for Settlements Requiring Court Approval. Date: Effective August 2, 2015. Sets the petition, documents and notice for court approval of settlements of decedents' claims and claims of minors or incapacitated persons.
• AO 7.03, Document Caption for Petition to Determine Incapacity. Date: Effective December 18, 1990 (signed October 5, 2012). Bars the caption "In re the Guardianship of" on a petition to determine incapacity and allows "In re the Determination of Capacity of."
• AO 7.04 (v8), Appointment of Examining Committee Members for Incapacity Proceedings. Date: Effective March 4, 2019. Has the Chief Judge keep the list of qualified examining committee members and sets the training and request rules.
• AO 7.05, Incapacity Orders: FDLE Report Information. Date: Effective November 14, 2023. Requires incapacity and guardian advocate orders to carry identifying details of the person for the FDLE report.
• AO 7.06, Professional Guardians. Date: Effective September 2, 2002. Defines a professional guardian and requires registration with the Statewide Public Guardianship Office.
• AO 7.07, Guardian Bonds in Veterans' Guardianships. Date: Effective September 5, 2002. Has the clerk screen guardian bonds in veterans' guardianships before court approval.
• AO 7.08 (v4), Guardianship Education Requirements for Non-Professional Guardians. Date: Effective September 29, 2023. Lets a guardian meet the education requirement in person or online through an approved course.
• AO 7.09, Guardian Advocate Education. Date: Effective May 30, 2017. Requires a court-approved training course before a guardian advocate acts.
• AO 7.10, Guardianship Reports, Audits, and Budgets. Date: Effective July 1, 2015. Sets the rules for simplified accounting, reports, audits and budgets in guardianships.
• AO 7.11, Guardianship Monitoring Program. Date: Effective April 13, 1998. Creates monitoring of each guardianship.
• AO 7.14, Determination of Homestead Property Prior to Determination of Creditors' Claims. Date: Effective January 30, 2015. The court does not determine homestead before the publication and creditor-claim periods end unless the petitioner shows good cause by motion.
• AO 7.15, Veterans Administration Guardianships. Date: Effective February 2, 2015. Applies to guardianships under Part VIII of chapter 744 and sets how V.A. accounting approvals reach the court.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and venue

• The clerk says venue is the county where the decedent resided, or for a non-resident the county where real property is located. alachuacounty.us
• The clerk says a formal administration must be filed by a Florida attorney unless the personal representative is the sole beneficiary. alachuacounty.us
• Alachua County probate, guardianship and Chapter 744 incapacity cases are assigned to Division A, and probate case numbers carry the CP prefix (guardianship GA). circuit8.org
• Alachua County pro se probate cases are assigned to General Magistrate Mikel Bradley; other probate and guardianship matters circuit-wide go to General Magistrate Katherine Floyd, with the division judge's oversight. circuit8.org
• The court's probate information packet says a Florida resident's case is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled; for a non-resident it may be filed in any county where the decedent's property is located. circuit8.org
• A personal representative in a formal administration must have an attorney (Probate Rule 5.030(a)); summary administration and disposition proceedings do not require one. circuit8.org
• Every case needs a certified death certificate, an Affidavit of Heirs, the original will and codicils if any, and proof of service of formal notice or a joinder, waiver and consent from all interested parties. circuit8.org
• A person without an attorney may file in person, by mail or through the Florida E-Filing Portal. circuit8.org

Wills

• The custodian deposits the will with the clerk of the county where the decedent resided within ten days after learning of the death and gives proof of death; a will cannot be deposited for safekeeping while the maker is alive. alachuacounty.us
• The clerk charges no fee to file a will and $7.00 for a receipt for the will. alachuacounty.us
• Section 732.901 requires deposit within 10 days after the custodian receives information that the testator is dead, and the clerk keeps the original at least 20 years. flsenate.gov

Summary administration

• The clerk page prints $75,000 as the summary administration limit; § 735.201(2) reads $150,000 (chapter 2026-57, effective July 1, 2026), and the Eighth Circuit's packet and checklist use $150,000. flsenate.gov
• The circuit's packet states the summary administration limit as $150,000, excluding exempt property, or a decedent dead more than two years; its checklist asks whether the decedent lived in the filing county. circuit8.org

Disposition without administration

• The clerk lists these limits: filed in the decedent's county of residence within 2 years of death, not above the funeral bill or $6,000 whichever is less, not available when the decedent owned real estate, and no release of safe deposit box assets. alachuacounty.us
• The clerk lists with the petition: an itemized paid funeral bill, paid medical receipts from the 60 days before death, the death certificate, documents verifying the asset, and consents from everyone who paid any part of those expenses. alachuacounty.us
• The circuit's disposition information limits reimbursement to funeral costs up to $6,000 and medical expenses from the last 60 days, filed by the person who paid or by a spouse or children. circuit8.org
• A separate small-estate proceeding for intestate property is limited to direct lineal heirs, a decedent dead at least one year, and exempt and non-exempt personal property up to $20,000. circuit8.org

E-filing

• Documents go to the clerk through the Florida ePortal; the clerk cannot accept filings by e-mail. alachuacounty.us

Case management

• Estates open more than 8 months are scheduled for case management; a status report filed 10 days before the conference can support a continuance, and the attorney confirms any continuance with the court's law clerk. circuit8.org
• The clerk reports estates with an overdue inventory, and the court orders the personal representative and attorney to appear to show cause unless the inventory is filed 10 days before the compliance hearing. circuit8.org

Homestead

• The court will not determine homestead before the publication period and the period for known creditors to file claims end, unless the petitioner files a motion showing good cause and sets a hearing. circuit8.org

Incapacity and guardianship

• A petition to determine incapacity is not captioned "In re the Guardianship of"; the caption "In re the Determination of Capacity of" is allowed. circuit8.org

Checklists

• The circuit lists Word checklists for ancillary administration, intestate and testate petitions for administration, homestead determination, discharge and case management, among others. circuit8.org

Forms and checklists

• Eighth Circuit forms and checklists page (probate section and checklists), Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Florida Probate Information packet, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Summary Administration Checklist, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Petition for Summary Administration form, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Disposition of Personal Property without Administration information, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Stand-alone petition to determine homestead status, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Affidavit of Heirs information, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Affidavit of Heirs sample form, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Interested parties, formal notice and waivers information, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Alachua County Clerk probate page, with links to disposition forms and instructions, Alachua County Clerk

Property and homestead

• Homestead requires legal or equitable title and permanent residence on the property as of January 1; the appraiser lists the death of the original exemptee among the reasons for reassessment. acpafl.org
• Homestead applications use form DR-501, filed at the main office in Gainesville (Attn. Exemptions) or the Alachua office. acpafl.org
• The appraiser's main office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Alachua office is open Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. acpafl.org

Death certificates

• Death certificates are available for deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present; photo ID must accompany a request, and cause of death requires being a family member or legal representative. alachua.floridahealth.gov
• The headquarters clinic lists birth and death certificates among its services and is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. alachua.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• The clerk's probate telephone line is (352) 374-3682; the clerk cannot give legal advice. alachuacounty.us
• The Eighth Circuit's clerk page for Alachua County lists the clerk's main number, (352) 374-3636, and hours of Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. circuit8.org
• The clerk's Family / Civil Justice Center lists probate among its family and civil court events. alachuacounty.us
• The clerk page on heirs property describes property owned by a deceased family member that has not gone through probate and links the county's heirs property brochure. alachuacounty.us
• The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: 800-342-8011, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. floridabar.org

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.
2. Florida Statutes § 28.241, filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Reopen fees are due at the time a party files a pleading to reopen a proceeding if at least 90 days have elapsed since the filing of a final order or final judgment with the clerk.
3. Florida Statutes § 732.901, production of wills (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The custodian of a will must deposit the will with the clerk of the court having venue of the estate of the decedent within 10 days after receiving information that the testator is dead.
   • the clerk shall retain and preserve the original will in its original form for at least 20 years
4. 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
5. Chapter 2026-57, Laws of Florida, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Section 7. Subsection (2) of section 735.201, Florida Statutes, is amended
   • Section 14. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
6. 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.
7. The Florida Bar, Lawyer Referral Service, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Call 800-342-8011, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
8. Eighth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida
   • Alachua County Baker County Bradford County Gilchrist County Levy County Union County
9. Florida Courts, Trial Courts - Circuit, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Eighth Circuit - Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union
10. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Section 7: Probate 7.01 Probate Case Management 7.02 Procedures for Settlements Requiring Court Approval 7.03 Document Caption for Petition to Determine Incapacity 7.04 Appointment of Examining Committee Members for Incapacity Proceedings
    • 7.14 Determination of Homestead Property Prior to Determination of Creditors' Claims
    • 9.03 (v2026-3) General Assignments
    • 9.03 (v2027-1) General Assignments (effective January 4th, 2027)
11. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.01 Probate Case Management, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 7.01 PROBATE CASE MANAGEMENT
    • 1. Estates that have been open for more than 8 months shall be scheduled for case management.
    • Personal representatives and/or their attorneys may file a status report 10 days prior to the case management hearing
    • The Clerk of Court shall report to the court all cases where the inventory is past due
    • Probate Case Management Effective: November 29, 1995
12. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.02 Procedures for Settlements Requiring Court Approval, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 7.02 PROCEDURES FOR SETTLEMENTS REQUIRING COURT APPROVAL
    • ORDERED that the following procedures shall be observed for court approval of settlements:
    • Effective: August 2, 2015
13. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.03 Document Caption for Petition to Determine Incapacity, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • DOCUMENT CAPTION FOR PETITION TO DETERMINE INCAPACITY
    • Petitions to determine incapacity may be captioned "IN RE THE DETERMINATION OF CAPACITY OF."
    • Effective: December 18, 1990
14. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.04 Appointment of Examining Committee Members, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The Chief Judge shall prepare a list of persons qualified to be members of an examining committee as required by statute.
    • Effective: March 4, 2019
15. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.05 Incapacity Orders FDLE Report Information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Incapacity Orders: FDLE Report Information Effective: November 14, 2023
    • shall include the following information pertaining to the person determined to be incapacitated or to be in need of a guardian advocate:
16. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.06 Professional Guardians, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Professional guardians must register with the Statewide Public Guardianship Office.
    • Professional Guardians Effective: September 2, 2002
17. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.07 Guardian Bonds in Veterans Guardianships, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The Clerk of Court is directed to screen all bonds posted by guardians appointed in veteran administration guardianships
    • Effective:September 5, 2002
18. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.08 Guardianship Education Requirements (v4), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Approval of Guardian Education Courses Effective: September 29, 2023
    • Guardianship education course requirements may be met by attending an approved course in-person or online if available.
19. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.09 Guardian Advocate Education, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Prior to a guardian advocate exercising his or her authority, the guardian advocate shall attend a training course approved by the Court.
    • Guardian Advocate Education Effective: May__30__, 2017
20. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.10 Guardianship Reports, Audits, and Budgets, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Guardianship Reports, Audits, and Budgets Effective: July 1, 2015
    • the guardian may elect to file a simplified accounting.
21. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.11 Guardianship Monitoring Program, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Guardianship Monitoring Program Effective: April 13, 1998
    • The guardianship monitoring program is designed to provide meaningful monitoring of each guardianship in order to provide maximum protection for the ward.
22. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.14 Determination of Homestead Property Prior to Determination of Creditors' Claims, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • In general, the Court will not enter an order determining homestead prior to the expiration of the publication period and the period for known creditors to file a claim.
    • the petitioner must file a motion showing good cause to do so and set a hearing before the presiding Judge.
    • Determination of Homestead Property Effective: January 30, 2015
23. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.15 Veterans Administration Guardianships, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • This Administrative Order shall apply to all guardianships governed by Veterans Guardianship Law, Part VIII of Chapter 744, Florida Statutes.
    • Veterans Administration Guardianships Effective: February 2, 2015
24. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 9.01 (v2026-1) Assignment of Alachua County Circuit and County Cases to Divisions, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • PROBATE: Uniform Case Numbering System "CP" and "GA"
    • DIVISION "A" Probate "CP", "GA", and "MH" (Ch. 744 incapacities or restorations) cases.
    • Assignment of Alachua County Circuit and County Cases to Divisions Effective: March 10, 2026
25. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 9.03 (v 2026-3) General Assignments, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 9.03 (v 2026-3) GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS Effective August 24, 2026
    • FAMILY AND PROBATE DIVISION ASSIGNMENTS
    • Kristine Van Vorst
    • Jonathan D. Ramsey
    • Craig C. DeThomasis
    • Sean D. Brewer
    • William E. Davis,
    • Probate and Guardianship1
    • Probate and Guardianship1, Mental Health1
    • GENERAL MAGISTRATE AND HEARING OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS
    • Mikel Bradley,
    • Katherine Floyd,
    • Alachua County Pro Se Probate Cases
    • Circuit-wide Probate (Excluding Alachua County Pro Se Cases)
    • Circuit-wide Guardianship

    Note: The judge-to-county pairings for probate (page 2) and the general magistrate rows (page 4) were read from the rendered tables, because the text layer scrambles the table rows. Page 4: Mikel Bradley, General Magistrate, Alachua County Pro Se Probate Cases; Katherine Floyd, General Magistrate, Circuit-wide Probate (excluding Alachua County pro se cases) and Circuit-wide Guardianship. Rendered rows: Kristine Van Vorst, Baker; Jonathan D. Ramsey, Bradford; Craig C. DeThomasis, Levy; Sean D. Brewer, Gilchrist and Union; William E. Davis, Chief Judge, Alachua (Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health Divisions Q and S). Re-checked on 2026-10-16 against the downloaded PDF text, read in content-stream order (pdftotext -raw), which keeps each judge's county rows together; the pairings above match.

26. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 9.03 (v 2027-1) General Assignments, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 9.03 (v 2027-1) GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS Effective January 4, 2027
    • FAMILY AND PROBATE DIVISION ASSIGNMENTS
    • Kristine Van Vorst
    • Jonathan D. Ramsey
    • Adam Lee (eff. 1/5/27)
    • Lorelie P. Brannan
    • (eff. 1/1/27)
    • James M. Colaw
    • GENERAL MAGISTRATE AND HEARING OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS
    • Mikel Bradley,
    • Katherine Floyd,
    • Alachua County Pro Se Probate Cases
    • Circuit-wide Probate (Excluding Alachua County Pro Se Cases)
    • Circuit-wide Guardianship

    Note: The judge-to-county pairings for probate (page 2) and the general magistrate rows (page 4) were read from the rendered tables, because the text layer scrambles the table rows. Page 4: Mikel Bradley, General Magistrate, Alachua County Pro Se Probate Cases; Katherine Floyd, General Magistrate, Circuit-wide Probate (excluding Alachua County pro se cases) and Circuit-wide Guardianship. Rendered rows: Kristine Van Vorst, Levy; Jonathan D. Ramsey, Bradford; Adam Lee (eff. 1/5/27), Baker; Lorelie P. Brannan (eff. 1/1/27), Gilchrist and Union; James M. Colaw, Chief Judge, Alachua (Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health Divisions Q and S). Re-checked on 2026-10-16 against the downloaded PDF text, read in content-stream order (pdftotext -raw); the pairings above match. The order prints "Adam Lee (eff. 1/5/27)" and "Lorelie P. Brannan (eff. 1/1/27)" and labels Colaw "Chief Judge" in the Family and Probate table.

27. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Judicial Assignments, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 9.03 (v2026-3) General Assignments
    • 9.03 (v2027-1) General Assignments Effective January 4, 2027
    • 2026 Summary of General Assignments Effective August 24, 2026
    • 2027 Summary of General Assignments Effective January 4, 2027
28. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Forms and Checklists, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate Florida Probate Information (PDF) Affidavit of Heirs (PDF) Form - Affidavit of Heirs (PDF) Interested Parties, Formal Notice, & Waivers (PDF)
    • Summary Administration (PDF) Summary Administration Checklist (PDF)
    • Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration (PDF)
    • Stand-alone Homestead Petition (PDF)
    • Ancillary Administration Checklist
    • Case Management Checklist
    • Homestead Determination in Formal Administration
    • Petition for Administration (Intestate) Checklist
    • Petition for Administration (Testate) Checklist
    • Petition for Discharge
29. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Florida Probate Information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Florida Probate Information
    • If the decedent was a Florida resident, the case must be filed in the county where they were domiciled, that is, where they were an official resident.
    • If the decedent was not a Florida resident, then the case may be filed in any county where the decedent's property is located.
    • Florida Probate Rule 5.030(a) requires that a personal representative in a formal administration of an estate must be represented by an attorney.
    • For other proceedings that do not require formal administration, such as summary administration, disposition of personal property without administration, or disposition without administration in small estates, you are not required to be represented by an attorney.
    • Certified copy of decedent's death certificate
    • The original last will and testament and any codicils (if applicable)
    • Proof of service of formal notice of the petitions, or joinder, waiver, and consent to the petition by all interested parties
    • Self-represented (pro se) litigants may file petitions or other pleadings or documents in person with the Clerk of Court, by mail, or electronically using the Florida E-Filing Portal.
    • A formal administration may be filed when the estate assets exceed $150,000, and/or it is necessary to appoint a personal representative to act on behalf of the estate.
    • Summary administration may be filed when the value of the entire estate does not exceed $150,000, excluding exempt property, or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years.
    • Final expenses include funeral costs up to $6,000 or medical bills that incurred in the last 60 days of the decedent's life.
    • This extremely narrow proceeding may only be filed by direct lineal heirs in an estate where the decedent died without a will (intestate), has been deceased for at least one year, and only seeks to distribute certain exempt property and non-exempt personal property up to $20,000.
30. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Summary Administration Checklist, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Summary Administration Checklist
    • Did the deceased live in Alachua, Baker, Brandford, Gilchrist, Levy or Union County?
    • If no, the petition must be filed in the county where the deceased lived.
    • Are the estate's assets, both real and personal, equal to or less than $150,000?
    • Do you have a certified copy of the death certificate?
    • Have you completed the required Affidavit of Heirs?
31. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Disposition of Personal Property without Administration information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Disposition of Personal Property without Administration
    • This type of proceeding may only be filed by a person seeking reimbursement for final expenses paid on behalf of a decedent, or by a surviving spouse, or if no surviving spouse, children of the decedent.
    • Reimbursement not to exceed $6,000 in funeral expenses
    • Final expenses include funeral costs up to $6,000 or medical bills that incurred in the last 60 days of the decedent's life.
32. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Stand-alone Homestead Petition, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • PETITION TO DETERMINE HOMESTEAD STATUS OF REAL PROPERTY (standalone petition)
33. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Affidavit of Heirs information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • An Affidavit of Heirs is a sworn document that lists ALL RELATIVES OF THE DECEDENT.
    • In order to do that, an Affidavit of Heirs must be filed.
34. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Affidavit of Heirs sample form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRS
    • you must list ALL RELATIVES of the decedent
35. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Interested Parties, Formal Notice, and Waivers information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Interested Parties, Formal Notice, & Waivers
    • In addition to completing the appropriate forms, you must provide all interested parties with formal notice of the documents you have filed.
36. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Petition for Summary Administration form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • PETITION FOR SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION
    • An Affidavit of Heirs must be filed along with the petition.
37. Alachua County Clerk, Probate, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The place to file a probate petition (venue) is the county where the decedent resided, or if the decedent is not a Florida resident, where the real property is located.
    • A formal administration must be filed by an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida, unless the personal representative is the sole beneficiary.
    • Summary administration may be filed when the value of the entire estate does not exceed $75,000, excluding exempt property, or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years.
    • Must be filed in the decedent's county of residence
    • Must be filed within 2 years of the decedent's death
    • Cannot exceed the amount of the funeral bill or $6,000, whichever is less
    • Cannot be used if the decedent owned real estate
    • Cannot release assets from a safe deposit box
    • Itemized, paid funeral bill Paid receipts for any medical expenses incurred 60 days prior to death Death certificate Documents verifying the asset to be released Consents from all persons who paid any part the funeral bill or medical expenses
    • Per Florida Statute 732.901, the will of a decedent must be deposited by the custodian with the Clerk's Office in the county where the decedent resided within ten days after receiving information of the death of the maker of the will.
    • The custodian must provide proof of the decedent's death (death certificate or death notice).
    • There is no fee to file a will, however, there is a $7.00 fee for issuing a receipt for the will.
    • A will cannot be deposited with the court for safekeeping if the maker of the will (testator or testatrix) is still alive.
    • A library of checklists and some forms can be found by visiting the Eighth Circuit Court's website.
    • Heirs Property is a term used for property legally owned by a deceased family member

    Note: the $75,000 limit printed on this page was replaced by $150,000 in § 735.201(2) (chapter 2026-57).

38. Alachua County Clerk, Contacting Us, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • NOTE: The Clerk cannot give legal advice
    • Probate: 352-374-3682 352-338-3207
    • Adm., & Courts 201 E. University Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601
39. Alachua County Clerk, Courthouse Information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Alachua County Family / Civil Justice Center Located at 201 East University Avenue, Gainesville, Florida, 32601.
    • Hours of operation are 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.(Closed Holidays)
    • Family and Civil Court Events Family Law Civil Actions Juvenile Probate Domestic Violence Mental Health
    • Matters pertaining to court are on file in the Clerk's office. For additional information, phone the Clerk of the Court at: (352) 374-3636 (voice)
40. Alachua County Clerk, Electronic Filing (eFiling) Information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Clerks can accept documents electronically filed through the Florida ePortal.
    • Clerks are not authorized to accept documents for filing by e-mail.
    • To e-file, set up an account at no charge by going to the state's Portal, select the link to File Now and follow the instructions to register.
    • For assistance with creating an account or with password resets, contact the FCCC Services Group at 1-850-577-4609
    • Reopen fees are not automatically assessed but can be added in the Additional Fees section on the Case Information screen.
41. Alachua County Clerk, Filing and Other Court Fees, checked October 16, 2026
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    • NOTE: Charges current as of January 1, 2026
    • Summary Administration $1,000 Summary Administration $1,000 $235.00 $345.00 Formal Administration $400.00 Ancillary Administration $400.00 Curatorship $400.00 Caveat $41.00 Notice of Trust $41.00 Disposition of personal property without administration $231.00 Petition to determine heirs $231.00 Petition to open safe deposit box, enter rooms and places $231.00 Petition to admit authenticated copies/exemplified copies or transcript to record $231.00 Signing of Oath of Witness to Will $3.50 Petition to Determine Homestead $231.00 Petition to Settle Minor's Claim $231.00 Foreign Wills $231.00 Reopen Fee, see drop down for Reopen Fee Information below: $50.00
    • Guardianship (Person Only) $235.00

    Note: The page text drops the less-than and greater-than signs of the two summary administration rows. The two amounts print in order, $235.00 then $345.00, which matches the under-$1,000 and over-$1,000 amounts in § 28.2401.

42. Alachua County Clerk, Court Records online access, checked October 16, 2026
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    • On-Line Court Records and Document Images Access Page.
43. Alachua County Clerk, Court Records Disclaimer and search instructions, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Probate, guardianship, trusts, wills, etc. cases are now CP cases. Example: 1999CP1234
    • Adoption and other records made confidential by law are exempt from public disclosure.
44. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Alachua County, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center 201 East University Ave Gainesville, FL 32601-3456
45. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Alachua County Clerk's Office, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Alachua County Courthouse, 201 East University Avenue, Gainesville FL 32601
    • Phone: (352) 374-3636
    • Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
46. Alachua County Property Appraiser, Exemptions Overview, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Legal/equitable title as of January 1
    • Permanent residence on the property as of January 1
    • The original exemptee is deceased
    • You need to complete form DR-501.
    • Attn. Exemptions: 515 N. Main St, Suite 200, Gainesville, FL 32601
    • Alachua Office Location: 15010 NW 142 Ter Alachua, FL 32615
47. Alachua County Property Appraiser, Contact Us, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Main Office 515 North Main Street, Suite 200 Gainesville, Florida 32601 Directions Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday (except County holidays) Phone: (352) 374-5230
    • Alachua Office Inside the Swick House 15010 NW 142 Terrace Alachua, Florida Directions Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday -Thursday (except County holidays) Phone: 386-418-6157
48. Alachua County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Home - Alachua County Property Appraiser
49. Florida Department of Health in Alachua County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
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    • 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.
    • $10 Death Certificate
    • 352-334-7900
    • Mailing Address 224 SE 24th St. Gainesville, FL 32641
50. Florida Department of Health in Alachua County, East Gainesville Clinic, Main Headquarters, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Physical Address: 224 SE 24th St., Gainesville, FL 32641
    • Phone: 352-334-7900
    • Birth and Death Certificates
    • Monday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.