Bay County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk's home page links the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal as E-Filing Portal. baycoclerk.com
• The general public, parties to a case and Florida attorneys request secure online access by completing a Bay County Access Agreement; a case search needs no login. baycoclerk.com
• Probate case numbers carry the letters CP (example 02000034CP). baycoclerk.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. The clerk's page says fee increases are added during the Legislative Session.

Judges and divisions

14th Judicial Circuit. Serves Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties (§ 26.021(14), Fla. Stat.).

Courthouses that hear probate

• Bay County Courthouse (Main Courthouse), 300 East 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401; (850) 747-5100; Doors open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. jud14.flcourts.org probate assignment

• The circuit's general magistrates hear family law, civil, foreclosure, mental health, dependency, early childhood court and truancy matters; the page lists Shannon Lord for Bay, Gulf, Holmes and Washington and Erin Baur for Bay, Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson and Washington. Probate is not in that list. jud14.flcourts.org
• Judge Smiley's page lists Bay County Circuit Court assignments: probate and trusts, guardianships, Baker Acts and Marchman Acts, and Jimmy Ryce cases; office at 300 East 4th Street, Panama City. jud14.flcourts.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 14th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Bay County. Circuit order index.

• AO 2026-00-03, Judge Assignment Plan, July 1, 2026 to January 1, 2029. Date: June 2026; in effect July 1, 2026 through January 1, 2029. Assigns each circuit judge to counties and divisions, including Bay County Probate, Guardianship and Mental Health and Jackson County Probate and Guardianship; rescinds AO 2025-00-13.
• AO 2023-00-11, Guardianship Annual Reporting Time Periods. Date: November 16, 2023. Rescinds AO 2011-00-07 so that judges may require guardianship reports and plans to be filed as § 744.367 provides.
• AO 2019-00-04, Incapacity Examining Committee and Attorneys for Incapacity and Guardianship Cases. Date: Effective June 21, 2019. Governs appointment of incapacity examining committee members and of attorneys for allegedly incapacitated persons under § 744.331; rescinds AO 2011-00-05.

Local requirements and forms

Checklists

• The circuit's Probate Division checklist for opening a formal administration asks for the certified death certificate, the original will (or an authenticated copy for ancillary), the oath and designation of registered agent, and states that proposed orders are e-filed through the E-Portal. jud14.flcourts.org
• The circuit's summary administration checklist (revised 7/2026) asks whether nonexempt assets are under $150,000 or the decedent has been dead two years or more, whether notice went to the Agency for Health Care Administration for a decedent age 55 or older, whether an Affidavit of Heirs was filed in an intestate case, and whether a petition to determine homestead was filed. jud14.flcourts.org
• The circuit's homestead checklist cites Rule 5.405 and says all four homestead criteria must be met for the property to be the decedent's homestead. jud14.flcourts.org
• The circuit's closing checklist asks for a petition for discharge under Rule 5.400 and whether the Department of Unclaimed Property was checked. jud14.flcourts.org

Small intestate estates

• The circuit's instruction sheet for disposition of personal property in a small intestate estate lists a decedent dead more than one year and funds not over $20,000 plus the preferred funeral and last-60-days medical expenses paid by the petitioner, with the death certificate, an Affidavit of Heirs and the funeral home receipt. § 735.304(1) states the same $20,000 and one-year terms. jud14.flcourts.org

Proposed orders

• The Chief Judge's memo (December 15, 2020) says proposed orders go with a PDF cover letter, in Word format, with signature codes in capital letters used in pairs (for example JJJJ with DDDD for the judge's signature and date, CCCC for the service list). jud14.flcourts.org
• The circuit's attorney instructions for proposed orders say to use the codes in pairs and not to use page breaks or section breaks in the document. jud14.flcourts.org

Filing

• The clerk's probate division handles wills (not filed until the death of the party) and estates (when there are assets to be distributed); the clerk accepts cash, credit or debit cards, money orders or cashier's checks. baycoclerk.com

Confidential records

• A party or attorney files a Notice of Confidential Information form with any document that contains confidential information (Rule 2.420). baycoclerk.com
• The clerk posts orders determining the confidentiality of trial court records in noncriminal cases for 30 days and on the first-floor information board of the Bay County Courthouse. baycoclerk.com

Forms and checklists

• Checklist for Opening Formal Administration Estate (rvd 4/2019), Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Summary Administration Estate (rvd 7/2026), Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Petition to Determine Homestead (1/2016), Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Closing Formal Administration Estate (rvd 1/2024), Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
• Instructions: Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration of Intestate Property in Small Estates, Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
• Probate and guardianship forms (circuit forms page), Fourteenth Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• The Department of Revenue states that a homestead exemption can decrease taxable value by as much as $50,000, that applications go to the property appraiser in the county where the property is located, and that the property appraiser determines whether a parcel is entitled to an exemption. floridarevenue.com

Death certificates

• Death certificates are ordered through VitalChek, the only vendor the Department of Health authorizes online, or in person or by mail. In-person and mail orders cover deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present; earlier deaths go to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. bay.floridahealth.gov
• A copy of a valid driver's license, passport, state-issued ID or military ID goes with every request. bay.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• Bay County administrative court orders are recorded in the Official Records, which the clerk's Court Orders page links. baycoclerk.com

Sources

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

1. Florida Statutes § 26.021, judicial circuits (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • (14) The fourteenth circuit is composed of Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties.
2. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Welcome to Floridas Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, which includes the six counties of Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties.
3. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Administrative Court Orders
   • 2026-00-03
   • RE: JUDGE ASSIGNMENT PLAN
   • (Rescinding AO# 2025-00-06)
4. 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.
5. Florida Department of Revenue, Property Tax Exemptions and Additional Benefits, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Submit all applications and documentation to the property appraiser in the county where the property is located.
   • The property appraiser determines if a parcel is entitled to an exemption.
   • the property owner may be eligible to receive a homestead exemption that would decrease the property’s taxable value by as much as $50,000.
6. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Checklist for Opening Formal Administration Estate, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • PROBATE DIVISION
   • CHECKLIST FOR OPENING FORMAL ADMINISTRATION ESTATE rvd 4/2019
   • 1. Certified Death Certificate Filed?
   • Original Will filed? (or authenicated copy for ancillary)- Rule 5.200
   • Oath and designation of registered agent filed?
   • Proposed Orders to be entered by the Judge efiled through the Eportal
7. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Checklist for Summary Administration Estate, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • CHECKLIST FOR SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION ESTATE rvd 7/2026
   • Non Exempt Assets less than $150,000
   • Notice given to Agency for Health Care Administration age 55+ F.S. 733.2121?
   • An Affidavit of Heirs has been filed if intestate case?
   • Verified Petition to Determine Homestead filed?
8. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Checklist for Petition to Determine Homestead, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • CHECKLIST for Petition To Determine Homestead - 1/2016
   • Verified Petition to Determine Homestead complying with R. 5.405 filed?
   • For the property to be the homestead of the decedent all four criteria must be met.
9. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Checklist for Closing Formal Administration Estate, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • CHECKLIST FOR CLOSING FORMAL ADMINISTRATION ESTATE rvd 1/2024
   • Petition for Discharge complying with R.5.400 filed?
   • Checked with the Department of Unclaimed Property?
10. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Instructions for Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration of Intestate Property in Small Estates, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration of Intestate Property
    • in Small Estates
    • Decedent has been deceased more than one year
    • The value of the funds to be distributed does not exceed $20,000
    • Certified copy of the Death Certificate
    • Affidavit of Heirs (form on the court's website).
    • Copy of receipt from funeral home showing who paid
11. Florida Statutes § 735.304, disposition of intestate property in small estates (2026), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • the value of which does not exceed the sum of $20,000 and the amount of preferred funeral expenses and reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness
    • provided the decedent has been deceased for more than 1 year and no administration of the decedent’s estate is pending in this state
12. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Forms page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate Court:
    • Disposition of Personal Property without Administration of Intestate Property in Small Estates
    • Summary Administration Probate:
    • Guardianship:
    • Checklist for Opening Formal Administration
    • Checklist for Closing Formal Administration
    • Checklist for Summary Administration
    • Checklist for Petition to Determine Homestead
    • Affidavit of Heirs
13. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, memo on submitting proposed orders (December 15, 2020), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Christopher N. Patterson
    • December 15, 2020
    • RE: Submission of Proposed Order to Judiciary
    • DDDD = Judge Signature Date/ JJJJ = Judge Signature
    • The codes must be all capital letters.

    Note: The memo is dated December 15, 2020 and is the memo the circuit's E-Filing Proposed Orders page links.

14. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, E-Filing Proposed Orders page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • E-Filing Proposed Orders
    • Attorney Instructions for Successful Submissions of Proposed Orders to Judiciary
15. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Attorney Instructions for Submitting Proposed Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Attorney Instructions for Successful Submissions of Proposed Orders to Judiciary
    • You must use the codes as pairs
    • Do not use page breaks or section breaks in your document.
16. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2023-00-11, Guardianship Annual Reporting Time Periods, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER # 2023-00-11
    • RE: GUARDIANSHIP ANNUAL REPORTING TIME PERIODS
    • is rescinded to allow judges the discretion to require guardianship reports and plans filing as provided by Florida Statutes.

    Note: Image-only PDF (no text layer). The wording quoted here was read from the page images, so a text search of the file finds nothing.

17. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2019-00-04, Incapacity Examining Committee and Attorneys, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER #2019-00-04
    • Rescinding 2011-00-05
    • Effective June 21, 2019
    • RE: INCAPACITY EXAMINING COMMITTEE AND ATTORNEYS FOR INCAPACITY & GUARDIANSHIP CASES
    • Florida Statutes 744.331(3)(a) requires the court to appoint an examining committee

    Note: Image-only PDF (no text layer). The wording quoted here was read from the page images, so a text search of the file finds nothing.

18. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Magistrates and Hearing Officers, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The General Magistrate is an attorney appointed by the Chief Circuit Judge to hear certain types of cases, which include family law, civil, foreclosure, mental health, dependency, early childhood court, and truancy
    • Shannon Lord
    • Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Washington
    • Erin Baur
    • Bay, Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Washington
19. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2026-00-03, Judge Assignment Plan (July 1, 2026 to January 1, 2029), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER #2026-00-03
    • RE: JUDGE ASSIGNMENT PLAN JULY 1, 2026 - JANUARY 1, 2029
    • Bay County Probate, Guardianship, & Mental Health (100% of the identified cases)
    • Judge Elijah Smiley Administrative Probate Judge

    Note: Image-only PDF (no text layer). The wording quoted here was read from the page images, so a text search of the file finds nothing. Attachment #1 (Circuit Judge Assignment Plan) pairs each judge with the assignments in the same table row.

20. Bay County Clerk, Probate page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets are distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries
    • Probate matters include:
    • Wills (not filed until the death of the party)
    • Estates (when there are assets to be distributed)
    • Please be informed that fee increases are added during the Legislative Session.
    • Item Fee
    • Caveat/Notice of Trust $41.00
    • Petition and order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies, or transcripts to record $231.00
    • Disposition of personal property without administration $231.00
    • Summary Administration Less Than $1,000 $235.00
    • Summary Administration $1,000 or more $345.00
    • Formal Administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings $400.00
    • Guardianship proceedings of person only $235.00
    • Veterans Administration Guardianship $235.00
    • Petition for determination of incapacity $231.00
    • Exemplified certificates $7.00
    • Case Re-Open $50.00
    • For the opening of any estate of one document or more
    • and family administration. $231.00
    • Guardianship Audit Fee, Initial Inventory, above $25,000 $85.00
    • Guardianship Audit Fee, Annual Financial Return For Estates $25,000 or Less $20.00
    • Guardianship Audit Fee, Annual Financial Return For Estates $25,000 to $100,000 $85.00
    • Guardianship Audit Fee, Annual Financial Return For Estates $100,000 to $500,000 $170.00
    • Guardianship Audit Fee, Annual Financial Return For Estates more than $500,000 $250.00
    • 300 East 4th Street Panama City, FL 32401
    • Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM CST
    • Call: (850) 747-5100

    Note: The page prints a long row beginning with the opening of any estate of one document or more, with $231.00; the row text in this quote is shortened.

21. Bay County Clerk, Hours of Operation, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The regular hours for the Bay County Clerk’s office are:
    • Monday – Friday
    • 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
    • Excluding Holidays
    • Call: (850) 747-5100
22. Bay County Clerk, Search Court Cases and Court Docket, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The General Public, Parties to a Case, and Florida Attorneys may request secure access subscription and access information by completing a Bay County Access Agreement
    • Parties, or their attorneys, are required under Rule 2.420 to file a Notice of Confidential Information Form along with any document that contains confidential information.
    • Probate Example: 02000034CP
23. Bay County Clerk, Court Orders page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • All Bay County Administrative Court Orders are recorded in
    • As required by Fla. Jud. Admin. 2.420(e)(4), the Clerk will post copies of the orders determining the confidentiality of trial court records in noncriminal cases.
24. Bay County Clerk, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • E-Filing Portal
    • 300 East 4th Street Panama City, FL 32401
    • Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM CST
    • Call: (850) 747-5100
25. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Elijah Smiley, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Elijah Smiley, Circuit Judge
    • 300 East 4th Street Panama City, FL 32401
    • Bay County Circuit Court: Probate & Trusts, Guardianships, Baker Acts & Marchman Acts, Jimmy Ryce Cases Civil Court
26. Florida Department of Health in Bay 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.
    • The Vital Statistics Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
    • $15 Death Certificate
    • Vital Statistics 850-872-4455 , Option 4, Option 2
    • 597 W 11th St. Panama City, FL 32401
27. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Bay County Courthouse, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Main Courthouse 300 East 4th Street, Panama City, Florida 32401
28. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Calendars and Schedules, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Bay County Courthouse: Doors are open from 8:00AM - 4:30PM
    • Calhoun County Courthouse: Doors are open from 8:00AM - 4:00PM
    • Gulf County Courthouse: Doors are open from 8:00AM - 4:30PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME
    • Holmes County Courthouse: Doors are open from 8:00AM - 4:00PM
    • Jackson County Courthouse: Doors are open from 8:00AM - 4:30PM
    • Washington County Courthouse: Doors are open from 8:00AM - 4:00PM
29. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Clerks of the Court, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Bill Kinsaul
    • 300 East 4th Street P.O. Box 2269 Panama City, Florida 32401
    • phone: 850-747-5102
    • fax: 850-747-5188
30. Florida Statutes § 28.2401, probate service charges and filing fees (2026), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Fee for the opening of any estate of one document or more
    • Charge for caveat .......... $40
    • Fee for petition and order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies, or transcript to record .......... $230
    • Fee for disposition of personal property without administration .......... $230
    • estates valued at $1,000 or more .......... $340
    • estates valued at less than $1,000 .......... $230
    • Fee for formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings .......... $395
    • Fee for guardianship proceedings of person only .......... $230
    • Fee for veterans’ guardianship pursuant to chapter 744 .......... $230
    • Charge for exemplified certificates .......... $7
    • Fee for petition for determination of incompetency .......... $230
    • 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.
31. 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.
32. Florida Department of Revenue, Property Tax Local Officials, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Property appraisers establish the value of your property each year as of January 1.
    • Use the drop-down menu to visit your county property appraiser's website.