Collier County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk's E-File page sends filers to the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; choose Collier County on the map, then New Case or Existing Case, to file new cases, documents in existing cases and recordings. collierclerk.com
• Judge Foster and Judge McGowan take proposed orders through the E-Filing Portal; Judge McGowan's procedures say to file them under Proposed Documents. ca.cjis20.org
• The clerk's online case search covers probate cases at no fee. Public view needs no registration; the clerk's probate page separately says imaged documents are not viewable online unless the user is registered. collierclerk.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Courts Department fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. Collier posts opening $231 against a $230 cap, caveat $41 against $40, summary $345 and $235 against $340 and $230 plus $4, and formal $400 against $395 plus $4. Its disposition without administration fee is $235.75 against a $230 cap, $5.75 above the cap; § 28.2401(3) does not list that filing among the petitions with the $4 charge. Its Veterans Administration guardianship fee is $235.00 against the § 28.2401(1)(i) cap of $230, $5 above the cap, and the fee schedule states no basis for the difference.

Judges and divisions

20th Judicial Circuit. Serves Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties; the circuit's probate information page has a section for each.

Courthouses that hear probate

• Collier County Government Complex, 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112; (239) 252-8800; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ca.cjis20.org probate assignment

• Collier County circuit judges Foster, McGowan, Levy-Reis and Chandler each carry a 25% probate share on their circuit profile pages. ca.cjis20.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 20th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Collier County. Circuit order index.

• AO 5.3, Approval of Commercial Delivery Services Pursuant to Fla. Prob. R. 5.040. Date: December 18, 2003. Approves Federal Express, United Parcel Service, Airborne Express and DHL Worldwide Express as commercial delivery services requiring a signed receipt for formal notice in Twentieth Circuit proceedings.
• AO 5.1, Guardianship Financial Returns. Date: February 14, 1995. Sets annual guardianship plans and accountings on a fiscal-year basis unless the court orders calendar-year filing.
• AO 5.2, Appointment of Public Defender to Represent Respondents in Baker Act Proceedings. Date: June 19, 2000. Appoints the Public Defender to represent each person who is the subject of a Baker Act petition.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and counsel

• The clerk states that no attorney is needed to file a will with the clerk, and that Probate Rule 5.030 requires an attorney for many probate and guardianship cases. collierclerk.com
• The circuit's probate page says Collier County has no case management for probate and sends questions to the clerk. ca.cjis20.org

Wills

• The custodian of an original will deposits it with the clerk in the county where the decedent lived within 10 days of learning of the death. collierclerk.com
• The custodian of a will must deposit it within 10 days after learning of the death, and the clerk keeps the original for at least 20 years (§ 732.901). flsenate.gov

Proposed orders

• Judge Foster's 2025 procedures say an order may be denied when its supporting paperwork is not visible in the court file at review, and the judge's office does not call the clerk to check for a will. ca.cjis20.org
• Judge McGowan's procedures say an order may be denied without prejudice when the paperwork is not in the court file, and that orders go through the E-Filing Portal under Proposed Documents. ca.cjis20.org
• Judge Foster takes proposed orders in Word format (not rich text), without a signature line, done-and-ordered date line, conformed-copy information, headnotes, footnotes or inserted pictures. ca.cjis20.org
• Before an order of discharge of a personal representative goes to Judge Foster, the Discharge Check off List appears in the court file. ca.cjis20.org
• Judge Foster requires the will and any codicils in the court file before estate administration orders and letters, and consents from all beneficiaries and interested parties when the relief differs from the will. ca.cjis20.org
• If the first named personal representative cannot or will not serve, the Petition for Administration explains why. ca.cjis20.org

Fees and hearings

• Petitions for fees go to the court quarterly under Judge Foster's procedures; hearing time comes from the judge's assistant by email. ca.cjis20.org

Magistrates

• Magistrate Pamela Barger posts a probate Order of Referral to Magistrate on her circuit profile page. ca.cjis20.org
• Magistrate Amy W. Ellis posts a probate Order of Referral to Magistrate, order adopting the recommendation and report and recommendation on her circuit profile page. ca.cjis20.org

Bond

• The clerk posts an estate bond schedule as an aid to the court under § 733.403(1): $18,000 for estates of $75,000 or less, $25,000 up to $100,000, $35,000 up to $175,000, $50,000 up to $250,000, $75,000 up to $500,000, and $100,000 minimum above that. collierclerk.com

Disposition without administration

• The clerk's packet sets a non-refundable $235.75 filing fee. The decedent must have been a Collier County resident, the assets must have been solely the decedent's, and real property is not addressed by the process. collierclerk.com
• The packet requires a certified death certificate on watermarked, textured paper from Vital Statistics or the Department of Health. collierclerk.com

Checklists

• The clerk's Petition for Formal Administration checklist is an attorney certification: the checklist, orders and letters wait until every document is posted in Showcase. collierclerk.com

Records

• Mailed copies of documents that are not sealed cost $1.00 per page, with a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope. collierclerk.com

Forms and checklists

• Disposition of Personal Property without Administration packet (September 30, 2025), Collier County Clerk
• Petition for Summary Administration, intestate packet, Collier County Clerk
• Petition for Formal Administration checklist and certification, Collier County Clerk
• Statement of Claim, Collier County Clerk
• Formal Notice, Collier County Clerk
• Clerk probate forms page (testate summary packet, homestead petitions and orders, proof of service, codicil order, email designation forms), Collier County Clerk
• Circuit Probate Information page with the Collier formal administration, summary administration and discharge forms, Twentieth Judicial Circuit
• Judge Foster probate and guardianship procedures, Twentieth Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• A homestead exemption needs legal or equitable title on January 1 and good-faith permanent residence there. New applications for the current year are made in person before March 1. collierappraiser.com
• The homestead exemption reduces assessed value by up to $25,000 for all taxing authorities. collierappraiser.com
• The widow's or widower's exemption is $5,000 for a permanent Florida resident who is a widow or widower as of January 1, with proof of the spouse's death. collierappraiser.com
• The appraiser lists a continuing claim of the exemption in the name of a deceased homesteader among the reasons an exemption is lost or back-charged; a buyer of a homesteaded property inherits the exemption for that tax year only and files a new application. collierappraiser.com

Death certificates

• Death certificates are ordered through VitalChek, the only vendor the Department of Health authorizes online, or in person or by mail at the DOH-Collier main office. collier.floridahealth.gov
• In-person and mail orders cover deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present. Valid identification accompanies every request, and cause of death is released to a family member or legal representative. collier.floridahealth.gov
• The DOH-Collier main office is at 3339 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34106, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. collier.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• The clerk's probate page prints $75,000 as the formal administration threshold and summary administration limit, and the clerk's summary administration packet prints $75,000; § 735.201(2) reads $150,000 as amended by chapter 2026-57. collierclerk.com
• Section 735.201(2) in the 2026 Florida Statutes reads $150,000, as amended by chapter 2026-57. flsenate.gov
• Chapter 2026-57, Laws of Florida, took effect July 1, 2026. laws.flrules.org
• The clerk's summary administration packet reads $75,000 as the estate value limit and also allows the filing when the decedent has been dead for more than two years. collierclerk.com
• The clerk's probate resources page names the Collier County Bar Association and Law Library at 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 505, (239) 252-8138, and the clerk's Self-Help Center on the first floor of the courthouse. collierclerk.com
• The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service takes calls at 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.
   • Recording shall be required for all petitions opening and closing an estate; petitions regarding real estate; and orders, letters, bonds, oaths, wills, proofs of wills, returns, and such other papers as the judge shall deem advisable to record or that shall be required to be recorded under the Florida Probate Code.
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. 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.
7. 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.
8. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Court Schedules
   • Lee County
   • Charlotte County
   • Collier County
   • Glades County
   • Hendry County
9. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Probate Information, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Probate Information
   • Lee County Probate Information:
   • Charlotte County Probate Information:
   • Collier County Probate Information:
   • Hendry County Probate Information:
   • Glades County Probate Information:
   • No case management is provided. Contact the Collier Clerk of Court (Probate) for more information:
   • Petition for Formal Administration
   • Petition for Summary Administration
   • Final Discharge Checklist
10. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders index, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Guardianship Financial Returns (2/14/95)
    • Appointment Of Public Defender (6/19/00)
    • Commercial Delivery Services (12/18/03)
11. Twentieth Circuit AO 5.1, Guardianship Financial Returns, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • each Guardian of the person shall file with the Court an annual guardianship plan within 90 days after the last day of the anniversary month the Letters of Guardianship were signed
12. Twentieth Circuit AO 5.2, Public Defender in Baker Act proceedings, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • the Public Defender is hereby appointed to represent each person who is the subject
13. Twentieth Circuit AO 5.3, Commercial Delivery Services under Probate Rule 5.040, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ORDERED that the following commercial delivery services requiring a signed receipt may be used for providing formal notice pursuant to Florida Probate Rule 5.040 in proceedings pending in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit
    • 1. Federal Express
    • 2. United Parcel Service
14. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Collier County Government Complex, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Collier County Goverment Complex
    • 3315 Tamiami Trail East Naples, FL 34112 Phone: (239) 252-8800
    • Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pm
15. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge Joseph G. Foster profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Division Collier County Criminal 50% Probate 25%
    • Judge Foster is currently assigned to the felony and probate division in the Collier County Circuit Court
    • Judge Foster's Probate Procedures
16. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge John McGowan profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Division Collier County Criminal 50% Probate 25%
    • Judge McGowan's Probate and Guardianship Procedures
17. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge Amanda Levy-Reis profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate 25%
    • Her docket also includes probate cases.
    • Civil Domestic, Repeat, Dating Violence, Stalking & Sexual Violence Cases
18. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge James W. Chandler profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Division Collier County Unified Family Court/Domestic Relations 50%
    • Probate 25%
    • Civil Domestic, Repeat, Dating Violence, Stalking & Sexual Violence Cases
19. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Magistrate Pamela Barger profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Magistrate Pamela Barger Probate Order of Referral to Magistrate
20. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Magistrate Amy W. Ellis profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Magistrate Amy W. Ellis Probate Order of Referral to Magistrate
    • Magistrate Amy W. Ellis Probate Order Adopting Recomendation of Magistrate
    • Magistrate Amy W. Ellis Probate Report and Recommendation of Magistrate
21. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge Foster 2025 probate procedures, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 2025 PROBATE PROCEDURES
    • Send all proposed Orders to Judge Foster via the Portal
    • The Judge's office is NOT responsible for calling the Clerk's Office to see if they have a Will for the Deceased.
    • If the paperwork is not actually visible in the court file when the Judge reviews your order(s), your order(s) may be DENIED.
    • If hearing time is needed, email Judge Foster's assistant
22. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge Foster probate and guardianship procedures, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Submit anything that you want a Judge to sign via the e-portal IN WORD FORMAT.
    • Before submitting Orders for Discharge of PR, make sure that the Discharge Check off List appears in the Court file.
    • Before submitting ANY order, confirm that the corresponding pleading or motion upon which it is based appears in the Case file.
    • If you are requesting relief other than as set forth in the Will and Codicils, consents from all beneficiaries and interested parties MUST be filed in and appear in the Court file.
    • If the first named PR can't or doesn't want to serve, please explain the basis in the Petition for Administration.
    • Petition for fees should be submitted quarterly.
23. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge McGowan probate and guardianship procedures 2024, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • (1) Send all proposed Orders to the Judge via the Portal.
    • If the paperwork is not actually in the court file when the Judge reviews your Orders, your Order may be DENIED (without prejudice).
    • All orders should be submitted through the E-portal at: https://www.myflcourtaccess.com under "PROPOSED DOCUMENTS" UNLESS DIRECTED OTHERWISE BY THE COURT.
24. Collier County Clerk, Probate page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court Courts Department 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Ste. 102 Naples, FL 34112-5324 Phone: (239) 252-2646
    • The Florida Statutes indicate the custodian of an original will should deposit (file) the original will with the Clerk of Court in the county where the decedent resided or is domiciled, within ten (10) days of receiving information that the person is deceased.
    • You do not need an attorney to file the will with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
    • Florida Probate Rule 5.030 requires an attorney for many Probate and Guardianship cases.
    • Formal Administration may be filed when there are assets exceeding $75,000, and/or when it is necessary to appoint a representative to act on behalf of the estate.
    • Summary Administration may be filed when the value of the entire estate subject to administration does not exceed $75,000.
    • Summary Administration does not require the appointment of a personal representative.
    • At this time, there is no internet access available to the public for viewing imaged documents unless you are a registered user.
    • Images of probate court documents are also available for viewing at any of the Clerk’s locations on the public view terminals.
    • upon receipt of the service fee of $1.00 per page
    • Florida law gives the Court full latitude and discretion to set the estate bonds and delineates in Section 733.403(1) many factors that must be considered when setting these bonds.
    • $75,000 or Less $18,000 $75,001-$100,000 $25,000 $100,001-$175,000 $35,000 $175,001-$250,000 $50,000 $250,001-$500,000 $75,000 $500,001 and Up $100,000 (min)
    • (No real estate can be transferred through this process)
25. Collier County Clerk, Probate Fees, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • for the determination of heirs, if not Formal Administration; and for a foreign guardian to manage property of a nonresident; but not to include issuance of letters or order of Summary Administration. $231.00
    • Caveat $41.00
    • Petition and order to admit foreign will, authenticated copies, exemplified copies or transcripts to record $231.00
    • Disposition of personal property without Administration $235.75
    • Summary Administration less that $1,000 $235.00
    • Summary Administration more than $1,000 $345.00
    • Formal Administration, Guardianship, Ancillary, Curatorship or Conservatorship proceedings. $400.00
    • Reopening of Formal Administration $50.00
    • Guardianship proceedings of person only. $235.00
    • Veteran Administration Guardianship pursuant to FS 293, FS 294. $235.00
    • Petition to determine competency. $231.00
    • Notice of Trust $41.00
26. Collier County Clerk, Probate Forms, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Summary Administration – Intestate Without A Will
    • Summary Administration – Testate With A Will
    • Statement of Claim Use this form to make a claim.
    • Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration Use this form when the decedent has only left personal property.
    • Formal Notice Notice that is required when a Petition for Summary Administration, Petition to Determine Homestead status, and or a Petition to Determine Exempt Property has been filed.
    • Order Determining Homestead Status of Real Property – Intestate
    • Petition To Determine Homestead Status of Real Property – Testate
    • Proof Of Service of Formal Notice
    • Order Admitting Codicil to Probate
    • Request To Be Excused from E-Mail Service
27. Collier County Clerk, Probate Resources, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Collier County Bar Association & Law Library 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 505, Courthouse, Bldg. L Naples, FL 34112 (239) 252-8138
    • Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court Self-Help Center 3315 Tamiami Trail East, 1st Floor Naples, FL 34112
28. Collier County Clerk, E-File page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • There are three E-Filing portals used in Florida:
    • Using the button above you can E-File new cases, file court documents in existing cases and E-Record.
    • Select Collier County on the map
29. Collier County Clerk, Online Court Case Search, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Examples of what you can search include: Civil, Criminal, Probate & Traffic Cases
    • Public view does not require registration and offers most non-confidential documents.
    • There are no fees for viewing Online Court Cases.
30. Collier County Clerk, Disposition of Personal Property without Administration packet (2025-09-30), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Filing fee: $235.75. Please note this fee is non-refundable.
    • The decedent was a resident of Collier County at time of their death.
    • Any real property (real estate) belonging to the decedent will NOT be addressed by this process.
    • A certified copy of the death certificate. This must be a copy on the watermarked, textured paper provided by Vital Statistics or the Department of Health.
    • The assets you are trying to obtain must have been solely owned by the decedent.
31. Collier County Clerk, Summary Administration intestate packet, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Petition for Summary Administration
    • does not exceed $75,000.
    • The decedent has been dead for more than two years.
32. Collier County Clerk, Petition for Formal Administration checklist and certification, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • PETITION FOR FORMAL ADMINISTRATION CHECKLIST
    • Please do not submit this checklist, orders and letters until all documents are posted in Showcase.
    • Original Death Certificate deposited with the Clerk of Court, Dk. No.
33. Collier County Clerk, Statement of Claim form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN RE: ESTATE OF
34. Collier County Clerk, Formal Notice form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
    • IN RE: ESTATE OF
35. Collier County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Collier County Property Appraiser
    • Data Downloads
36. Collier County Property Appraiser, Homestead Exemption, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • A person who, on January 1, holds legal or equitable title to real property in Florida and who in good faith makes the property their permanent residence - or the permanent residence of a dependent - is eligible for a homestead exemption.
    • A reduction of up to $25,000 from the assessed value of the property for all taxing authorities
    • New applications for Homestead Exemption for the current year must be made in person prior to March 1st at the Property Appraiser's office
37. Collier County Property Appraiser, Widow's and Widower's Exemption, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • A widow or widower who is a permanent Florida resident as of January 1 may qualify for a $5,000 exemption on property they own.
    • provide proof of your spouse's death
38. Collier County Property Appraiser, Loss of Homestead, Rental and Fraud, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • If the homesteader of record dies and the property continues to claim the exemption in future years in the name of the deceased owner.
    • If you purchase a property that is homesteaded, you will inherit that exemption for that tax year.
    • 239-252-8141
39. Florida Department of Health in Collier County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Order death certificates online through VitalChek
    • 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.
    • Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • $12 Death Certificate
    • $10 Additional Certificates
    • Vital Statistics 239-252-8205
40. Florida Department of Health in Collier County, Main Office, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Physical Address: 3339 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34106
    • Monday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.