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Calhoun County probate help.
- Circuit
- 14th Judicial Circuit
- Clerk probate line
- (850) 674-4545
- E-filing
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
- Posted filing fees
- Opening an estate $231.00Summary administration $345.00Formal administration $400.00
- Last checked
- October 16, 2026
Clerk filing details, probate judge assignments, circuit administrative orders and local requirements for Calhoun County, each linked to its official page.
New-client intake is closed until late October 2026.
Map of Calhoun County, Florida.
Cities in Calhoun County
Blountstown, Altha, Kinard. County seat: Blountstown.
Calhoun County probate facts, checked October 16, 2026
Clerk and filing
| Office | Calhoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Address | 20859 Central Avenue E., Room 130, Blountstown, FL 32424 calhounclerk.com |
| Phone | (850) 674-4545 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Central time) |
| E-filing | Florida Courts E-Filing Portal |
| Case search | ClerkNet court records |
| Fee schedule | calhounclerk.com |
E-filing and records search
- The clerk's pages state no separate e-filing rule; probate filings follow the circuit's proposed-order and E-Portal practice listed under Local requirements. calhounclerk.com
- The general public, parties to a case and Florida attorneys request secure online access to court records by completing a Calhoun County Access Agreement. calhounclerk.com
Probate filing fees posted by the clerk
| Filing | Posted fee | Statute basis |
|---|---|---|
| Opening any estate | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(a) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Disposition of personal property without administration | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(d) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Summary administration, less than $1,000 | $235.00 | § 28.2401(1)(f) caps the fee at $230; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Summary administration, more than $1,000 | $345.00 | § 28.2401(1)(e) caps the fee at $340; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship or conservatorship proceedings regardless of inventory | $400.00 | § 28.2401(1)(g) caps the fee at $395; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Caveat and notice of trust | $41.00 | § 28.2401(1)(b) caps the fee at $40 flsenate.gov |
| Foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies or transcripts; petition and order to admit to record | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(c) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| VA guardianship | $235.00 | § 28.2401(1)(i) caps the fee at $230; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Guardianship proceedings of person only | $235.00 | § 28.2401(1)(h) caps the fee at $230; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Petition to determine incapacity | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(k) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Exemplified certificates | $7.00 | § 28.2401(1)(j) caps the fee at $7 flsenate.gov |
| Re-open fee | $50.00 | § 28.241(1) sets reopen fees for a pleading filed at least 90 days after a final order or judgment flsenate.gov |
| Guardianship audit fee, inventory value over $25,000 | $85.00 | Clerk fee schedule |
| Guardianship accounting fee, annual return up to $25,000 | $20.00 | Clerk fee schedule |
| Guardianship accounting fee, annual return $25,001 to $100,000 | $85.00 | Clerk fee schedule |
| Guardianship accounting fee, annual return $100,001 to $500,000 | $170.00 | Clerk fee schedule |
| Guardianship accounting fee, annual return over $500,000 | $250.00 | Clerk fee schedule |
Source: Calhoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. The clerk's site links this schedule as Fees. It is marked Updated 8/2/2023; amounts are shown as printed on it.
Judges and divisions
14th Judicial Circuit. Serves Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties (§ 26.021(14), Fla. Stat.).
| Judge | Division | Assigned by | Order date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judge Brandon J. Young | Calhoun County Circuit Proceedings, 100% of identified cases (the order does not list probate separately for Calhoun County) | AO 2026-00-03 | June 2026; in effect July 1, 2026 through January 1, 2029 |
Courthouses that hear probate
- Calhoun County Courthouse, 20859 East Central Avenue, Blountstown, FL 32424; (850) 674-4545; Doors open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 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 Young's page lists Calhoun County Circuit as his assignment; office at 20859 East Central Ave., Blountstown, phone 850-674-5442. AO 2026-00-03 also assigns him Jackson County Probate and Guardianship. jud14.flcourts.org
Administrative orders
Orders of the 14th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Calhoun 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 & Guardianship Department handles estates, wills, guardians for minors and incapacitated persons; the Mental Health Department handles Baker Act and Marchman Act filings. All departments answer at 850-674-4545. calhounclerk.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
| Office | Florida Department of Revenue, Calhoun County property appraiser directory |
|---|---|
| Homestead | Homestead exemption overview |
- 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
| Office | Florida Department of Health in Calhoun County |
|---|---|
| Fee | $10 Death Certificate |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
| Blountstown | 19611 SR 20 W, Blountstown, FL 32424 |
- 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. calhoun.floridahealth.gov
- A copy of a valid driver's license, passport, state-issued ID or military ID goes with every request. calhoun.floridahealth.gov
Sources
Last checked: October 16, 2026. Each source shows the text that supports the facts above.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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?
- 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.
- 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?
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Judge Brandon J. Young
- Calhoun County Circuit Proceedings (100% of identified cases)
- Jackson County Probate & Guardianship (100% of identified cases)
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.
- Calhoun County Clerk, Court Services page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- All departments within the Clerk’s office can be reached at 850-674-4545
- Mental Health Department
- Inquire here about the Baker Act (mental) or Marchman Act (alcohol or drugs).
- Probate & Guardianship Department
- Inquire here about Information about estates, wills, guardians for minors and incapacitated persons.
- 20859 Central Avenue E. Room 130 Blountstown, FL 32424
- Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST
- Calhoun County Clerk, Contact page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- 20859 Central Avenue E., Room 130 Blountstown, FL 32424
- Phone (850) 674-4545
- please use the phone.
- Calhoun County Clerk, Fee Schedule (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- PROBATE
- Opening Any Estate
- Caveat & Notice of Trust
- Foreign Wills, Authenticated Copies, Exemplified Copies OR Transcripts
- Petition and Order to Admit to Record
- Disposition of Personal Property W/Out Administration
- Summary Administration
- Less Than $1,000
- More Than $1,000
- Formal Administration, Guardianship, Ancillary, Curatorship or
- Conservatorship Proceedings Regardless of Inventory
- VA Guardianship
- Guardianship Proceedings of Person Only
- Exemplified Certificates
- Incapacity, Petition to Determine
- Guardianship Audit Fee
- Re-Open Fee
- Updated 8/2/2023
- $231.00
- $41.00
- $235.00
- $345.00
- $400.00
- $7.00
- $50.00
- $170.00
- $250.00
Note: The PDF's text layer lists the labels and amounts in separate blocks, so the pairs below were read from the page image: Opening Any Estate $231.00; Caveat & Notice of Trust $41.00; Foreign Wills and Petition and Order to Admit to Record $231.00; Disposition W/Out Administration $231.00; Summary Administration less than $1,000 $235.00 and more than $1,000 $345.00; Formal Administration, Guardianship, Ancillary, Curatorship or Conservatorship $400.00; VA Guardianship $235.00; Guardianship of Person Only $235.00; Exemplified Certificates $7.00; Petition to Determine Incapacity $231.00; Guardianship Audit Fee, inventory under $25,000 NO FEE, over $25,000 $85.00; annual return up to $25,000 $20.00, $25,001 to $100,000 $85.00, $100,001 to $500,000 $170.00, over $500,000 $250.00; Re-Open Fee $50.00. The page is dated Updated 8/2/2023 and the file name carries 2025.
- Calhoun County Clerk, Records Search page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Court records include documents, information, and exhibits that the court maintains concerning a case.
- The General Public, Parties to a Case, and Florida Attorneys may request a secure access subscription and access information by completing a Calhoun County Access Agreement
- Calhoun County Online Court Records Search (OCRS), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Calhoun County OCRS
- Public
- This option allows for anonymous access to court records.
- Calhoun County Clerk, home page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Records Search Court & Official
- Fees
- Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Brandon J. Young, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Brandon J. Young, Circuit Judge
- 20859 East Central Ave. Blountstown, FL 32424
- 850-674-5442
- Calhoun County Circuit
- Florida Department of Health in Calhoun 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.
- Florida Department of Health in Calhoun County
- Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- $10 Death Certificate
- Mailing Address 19611 SR 20 W Blountstown, FL 32424
- Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Calhoun County Courthouse, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- 20859 East Central Avenue, Blountstown, Florida 32424
- 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
- Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Clerks of the Court, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Robin "Cissy" Barfield
- 20859 East Central Avenue, #130 Blountstown, Florida 32424
- phone: 850-674-4545
- fax: 850-674-5553
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
