Duval County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• Probate cases, including guardianship and mental health cases, can be started electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. duvalclerk.com
• An original will must still go to the clerk after the case is e-filed. Original death notices that were e-filed do not need to be forwarded. duvalclerk.com
• Proposed orders go to the court through the portal, not to the clerk, and the matching pleading must already be on the docket. Orders use the circuit's Word templates, a PDF cover letter and DJMCA signature codes. jud4.org
• Since July 1, 2025, the clerk must make all filings part of the docket except for the limited reasons in revised Rule 2.525(f). duvalclerk.com
• CORE, the clerk's records system, shows both e-filed and manually filed documents. The statewide portal may show less than CORE, and the clerk cannot change portal access except to add an attorney to a case. duvalclerk.com
• A statement of claim may be e-filed. duvalclerk.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Duval County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Probate Department fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. Each posted fee that has a § 28.2401 amount is $1 or $2 above that amount (plus the $4 petition charge where § 28.2401(3) applies), except the $7.00 exemplification fee, which matches it. The clerk's pages do not say why.

Judges and divisions

4th Judicial Circuit. Serves Clay, Duval and Nassau counties (§ 26.021(4), Fla. Stat.).

Courthouses that hear probate

• Duval County Courthouse, 501 W. Adams St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 duvalclerk.com probate assignment

• The circuit's Duval Judges page lists the Probate Division judges as Judge Kevin A. Blazs (PR-A) and Judge Thomas M. Beverly (PR-B), each with posted procedures. jud4.org
• The Fourth Judicial Circuit serves Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. jud4.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 4th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Duval County. Circuit order index.

• AO 2026-01, 2026 Judicial Assignments. Date: January 9, 2026 (effective January 1, 2026). Assigns Judge Kevin Blazs to Division PR-A and Judge Thomas M. Beverly to Division PR-B for 2026.
• AO 2018-06, Assignment of Cases in the Probate Division. Date: March 22, 2018. Reassigns the odd-numbered probate cases that were in Division PR-A on or before December 31, 2017 to Division PR-B, with listed exceptions, and has PR-A keep its even-numbered cases from that period.
• AO 2018-03, Assignment of Mental Health Incapacity and Guardianship Cases. Date: February 7, 2018. Requires the clerk to put a mental health incapacity case and a guardianship case for the same person in the same division.
• AO 2017-16, Creation of Division PR-B. Date: October 31, 2017. Creates Division PR-B on January 1, 2018 and has the clerk assign new probate cases to PR-A and PR-B in rotation.
• AO 2006-01, Creation of Probate Division for the Circuit Court in and for Duval County. Date: January 9, 2006 (effective February 1, 2006). Creates the Duval Probate Division for wills, estate administration, guardianships and trust administration.
• AO 2023-08, Assignment of Baker Act Cases to the Probate Division. Date: March 15, 2023. Directs the clerk to assign all Baker Act cases to the Probate Division.
• AO 2023-13, Assignment of Marchman Act Cases to the Probate Division. Date: May 22, 2023. Directs the clerk to assign all Marchman Act cases to the Probate Division.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and venue

• The Probate Department handles estates of deceased persons, guardianships and trusts. Trusts are not typically filed with the clerk, but petitions to change a trust or to address adversarial trust issues are filed with the Probate Department. duvalclerk.com
• A personal representative must be represented by a Florida attorney unless the personal representative is the sole interested person (Florida Probate Rule 5.030, quoted on the clerk's page). duvalclerk.com
• New probate cases filed after January 1, 2018 are assigned in rotating order to Divisions PR-A and PR-B by the Clerk of Courts (AO 2017-16). jud4.org
• AO 2018-06 (March 22, 2018) moved the odd-numbered cases that were in Division PR-A on or before December 31, 2017 to PR-B, with listed exceptions, and says PR-A kept its even-numbered cases from that period. Its recitals say the clerk had assigned even-numbered cases to PR-A and odd-numbered cases to PR-B since January 1, 2018. jud4.org
• A mental health incapacity case and a guardianship case for the same person go to the same division (AO 2018-03). jud4.org

Wills and caveats

• A will cannot be deposited with the clerk before the death of the person who made it. After the death, the will goes to the clerk of the county where the decedent lived within ten days. duvalclerk.com
• The custodian of a will must deposit it with the clerk having venue within 10 days after learning that the testator has died, and the clerk keeps the original for at least 20 years. flsenate.gov
• A caveat can be filed by an interested person or creditor so the clerk notifies the caveator if an administration is filed. flsenate.gov

Claims and records searches

• A statement of claim needs the file number and decedent name in the standard header, the basis for the claim, the claimant's name and address, the amount, and the original signature of the claimant or representative. Hand-delivered or mailed claims need the original and one copy. duvalclerk.com
• The clerk does not run probate searches by phone. A search is done in person on the clerk's computer system, or by written request with the decedent's full name and date of death, a self-addressed stamped envelope and $2.00 per name. Cases opened before 1977 are in archive books in official records. duvalclerk.com

Disposition without administration and small accounts

• Disposition of personal property without administration is filed in the county of the decedent's permanent residence. The clerk's page describes it for an estate of cash assets, a vehicle or other personal assets with a total value of $6,000.00 or less where the filer paid the funeral expenses. The filing fee is $231.00. duvalclerk.com
• The clerk's packet list: a paid funeral receipt (or the current funeral bill), paid receipts for medical expenses incurred 60 days before death, a certified death certificate, documents verifying the asset, and the decedent's original will if the filer has it. duvalclerk.com
• A personal-use vehicle can be transferred under this procedure only to the surviving spouse or, if there is none, to the children of the decedent. If funeral costs are unpaid, the court directs cash assets to the funeral home. A filer who cannot pay the fee can arrange for payment from the decedent's cash assets. duvalclerk.com
• Section 735.301(1) limits nonexempt personal property to the amount of preferred funeral expenses plus reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness. flsenate.gov
• Section 733.707(1)(b) caps preferred funeral expenses at $6,000 in aggregate. flsenate.gov

Division PR-A procedures (Judge Blazs)

• Procedures dated October 13, 2026. Non-evidentiary hearings are held by Zoom; evidentiary hearings are held in person in Hearing Room 746 unless noted. Chambers are in Room 7264 of the Duval County Courthouse, 501 W. Adams Street. jud4.org
• Hearing dates are set by phone with the judicial assistant at (904) 255-1282. The Zoom link is sent after the date and time are confirmed. Counsel are expected to try to resolve issues before calling to set a hearing. jud4.org
• Proposed orders are filed through the portal and go directly to the court. The pleading must be on the docket first. jud4.org
• Testate cases: the first Order Admitting Will and companion orders (order appointing personal representative, letters, or the order of summary administration for a testate summary administration) are formatted for a wet signature without codes and mailed or hand delivered to the clerk, not filed through the portal. After submitting the packet, call the clerk to have the will pulled and the packet sent to the court. Conformed copies need self-addressed stamped envelopes. jud4.org
• The judge requires an Affidavit of Heirs even in testate matters. jud4.org
• Orders of discharge (probate and guardianship) are no longer submitted on paper to the clerk. After the clerk's audit, the clerk notifies the attorney of record, who then submits the proposed order of discharge through the portal (change effective August 8, 2025). jud4.org
• Urgent orders go by email to the judicial assistant with a subject line that starts with URGENT, then the case number, case name and reason. jud4.org
• For evidentiary hearings and non-jury trials, each party provides exhibits or hard copies of materials at least three business days before the hearing. jud4.org
• Portal orders do not appear instantly in the court's queue. A rejected order produces an email that may land in a spam folder, and the docket should be checked before contacting the judicial assistant for status. jud4.org

Division PR-B procedures (Judge Beverly)

• Procedures dated July 22, 2026. All hearings are held by Zoom, and the judicial assistant sends the link after a date and time are confirmed. The judicial assistant's email is [email protected] and phone is 904-255-1231. jud4.org
• Proposed orders are filed through the portal and go directly to the court, not through the clerk. jud4.org
• Testate cases: the first Order Admitting Will and companion orders are formatted for a wet signature without codes and mailed or hand delivered to the clerk, not filed through the portal. The clerk is not emailed. jud4.org
• Orders of discharge (probate and guardianship) are submitted through the portal after the clerk's audit notice, the same change effective August 8, 2025. jud4.org
• Urgent orders go by email to the judicial assistant with a subject line that starts with URGENT, then the case number, case name and reason. jud4.org
• For evidentiary hearings, materials go to the court at least three business days before the hearing, and tabbed three-ring binders are preferred. jud4.org

Proposed order format (all Fourth Circuit divisions)

• Proposed orders must use one of the circuit's templates, be Word .docx files, include the Unified Case Number, and carry DJMCA codes for the judge's signature and date. Orders that do not follow the procedures are subject to rejection. jud4.org
• A PDF cover letter is required, and the matching motion is attached behind the cover letter as one combined PDF. jud4.org
• Counsel must keep the clerk's docket current for the attorney of record, because the court's service of orders is generated from the appearance on file. jud4.org

Summary administration limit

• The circuit's Summary Administration Petition Checklist (updated June 9, 2025) prints a $75,000 limit. Section 735.201(2) reads $150,000 since July 1, 2026 (ch. 2026-57, s. 7). flsenate.gov

Forms and checklists

• Affidavit of Heirs (updated July 10, 2025), Fourth Judicial Circuit
• Summary Administration Petition Checklist (updated June 9, 2025), Fourth Judicial Circuit
• Probate proposed order template, Fourth Judicial Circuit
• Probate self-help page, Fourth Judicial Circuit
• Proposed orders eFiling instructions and templates, Fourth Judicial Circuit
• Procedures for submitting a proposed order, Fourth Judicial Circuit
• Division PR-A procedures, October 13, 2026, Judge Blazs, Fourth Judicial Circuit
• Division PR-B procedures, July 22, 2026, Judge Beverly, Fourth Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• Homestead tax exemption: the owner must own and occupy the home as a permanent residence on January 1. The page states the exemption removes $25,000 of assessed value and can add up to another $25,000 on value over $50,000, and that the added amount does not apply to school taxes. jacksonville.gov
• The homestead assessment benefit limits future annual increases in assessed value to 3% or less. A sale, change in ownership or change to the property can remove or alter the exemption and the benefit. jacksonville.gov
• Exemption applications can be delivered or mailed to the Customer Service/Exemptions Division at 231 E. Forsyth Street, Suite 260, Jacksonville, FL 32202. jacksonville.gov
• The Property Appraiser's offices are open Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; the Customer Service/Exemptions Division phone is 904.255-5900. jacksonville.gov

Death certificates

• Death certificates are available for deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present. Earlier deaths are requested from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville or through VitalChek. duval.floridahealth.gov
• A copy of a valid driver's license, passport, state-issued ID or military ID goes with every request. A certificate that lists cause of death is released to a family member or legal representative. duval.floridahealth.gov
• VitalChek is the only online vendor the Department of Health authorizes. The fee is $15 for a death certificate and $10 for each additional certificate. duval.floridahealth.gov
• The Vital Statistics office is at 3225 University Blvd. South, Jacksonville, FL 32216, phone 904-253-1620. duval.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• Court records, including e-filed and manually filed documents, are viewed in the clerk's CORE system. duvalclerk.com
• The clerk charges $2.00 for each year of records searched, $2.00 to certify a copy, and $1.00 per page for copies. duvalclerk.com
• The clerk cannot give legal advice or help prepare legal forms; the clerk's page points to Probate Rule 5.030 on attorney representation. duvalclerk.com
• The clerk's page explains releasing bank accounts of an estate of no more than $1000 by affidavit under § 735.303, for a decedent who has been dead at least 6 months. duvalclerk.com
• Section 735.303(2) now reads an aggregate total of $2,000, and a financial institution may not pay earlier than 6 months after the date of death. flsenate.gov
• The circuit's probate self-help page links the Affidavit of Heirs and the Summary Administration Petition Checklist. jud4.org

Sources

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

1. Fourth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Serving Clay, Duval & Nassau Counties
2. Florida Statutes § 26.021, judicial circuits (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The fourth circuit is composed of Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties.
   • The tenth circuit is composed of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties.
3. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders, checked October 16, 2026
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   • You may search the full text of the administrative orders by using the 'Keyword' search field.
4. Duval County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Probate page, checked October 16, 2026
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   • The Probate Department manages cases involving the distribution of the estates of a deceased person.
   • Trusts are not typically filed with the Clerk of Courts, but certain petitions are filed with the Probate Department.
   • Every guardian and every personal representative, unless the personal representative remains the sole interested person, shall be represented by an attorney admitted to practice in Florida.
   • Duval County Clerk of Courts Attn: PROBATE DEPARTMENT 501 West Adams Street, Room 1260 Jacksonville, FL 32202
   • Monday through Friday (excluding holidays): 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
   • Phone (904) 255-1990
   • Beginning on July 1, except for the limited number of reasons articulated in the revised Rule, the Clerk is obligated by the Supreme Court to make all filings a part of the court docket.
   • Please understand that a will cannot be accepted for deposit with the court before the death of the person who makes out the will.
   • Within ten days after death, the will should be deposited with the Clerk of Court in the county where the decedent was living on the day she or he died.
   • Any creditor or interested party of an estate may file a Caveat, in accordance with Florida Statute 731.110.
   • A statement of claim does not have to be filed on any particular form, but it must include all of the following:
   • The standard header with the Probate file number and the name of the decedent
   • The basis for the claim
   • The name and address of the claimant
   • The amount of the claim
   • The original signature of the claimant or the representative of the claimant
   • if you submit the claim by hand-delivery or mail, you'll need to include the original and one copy. Statements of claim may also be e-filed.
   • Send in a written request. Please be sure to provide the decedent's full name and date of death, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a payment of $2.00 per name for the search fee
   • archive books, located in official records, for cases opened before 1977
   • the estate in question consists only of cash assets, a vehicle or other personal assets with a total value of $6,000.00 or less, and you paid the funeral expenses for your relative.
   • This procedure may only be done in the county of the decedent's permanent residence as of the date of death.
   • The filing fee is $231.00, payable in cash, cashier's check, or money order.
   • A paid funeral receipt showing who paid for the funeral or, if the funeral has not been paid for, the most current funeral bill
   • Paid receipts for any medical expenses incurred 60 days prior to death
   • A certified death certificate
   • Documents verifying the asset to be released, for example bank statements, stock certificate, check made payable to the decedent or blue-book value and current registration of a vehicle
   • The decedent's original will, if you have it
   • the decedent's personal-use vehicle(s) may be transferred by this procedure only to the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, to the children of the decedent.
   • If you cannot afford to pay the filing fee, payment can be arranged to be taken from cash assets of the decedent.
   • A certified copy of the order will be mailed to you for submission to anyone who holds the assets.
   • release of financial assets of an estate that is no more than $1000
   • if the decedent has been dead at least 6 months
   • Formal Administration $401.00
   • Summary Administration (estates valued @ $1,000 or more) $346.00
   • Summary Administration (estates valued @ less than $1,000) $236.00
   • Petition and One Order $232.00
   • Petition and Order to Admit Will, Authenticated Copies or Transcript of Record $232.00
   • Guardianship of the Person & Property $400.00
   • Guardianship of the Property Only $400.00
   • Guardianship of the Person Only $235.00
   • VA Guardianship $235.00
   • Caveat $42.00
   • Notice of Trust $42.00
   • Copies per page $1.00
   • Additional fee for certification $2.00
   • Additional fee for exemplification $7.00
   • Disposition of personal property $231.00
   • Petition for determination of incompetency $231.00
   • Reopen Fee $50.00
   • Modification of Trust $401.00
5. Duval County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Fee Schedules, checked October 16, 2026
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   • Probate Fees
   • Formal Administration $401.00
   • Summary Administration (estates valued @ $1,000 or more) $346.00
   • Summary Administration (estates valued @ less than $1,000) $236.00
   • Petition and One Order $232.00
   • Caveat $42.00
   • Reopen Fee $50.00
   • Searching of records, each year's search $2.00
   • Certified Copies, per instrument $2.00
6. Duval County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Office Locations, checked October 16, 2026
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   • Downtown Courthouse 501 W. Adams St. Downtown Jacksonville on West Adams St. between Pearl and Broad Streets 8:00am - 5:00pm
   • All other departments - (904) 255-2000
7. Duval County Clerk of the Circuit Court, eFiling Information, checked October 16, 2026
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   • Probate - including Guardianship and Mental Health cases
   • Duval County currently accepts selected case types in all divisions:
   • The Duval County Clerk of the Court does not want you to forward any document to the Duval County Courthouse that has been successfully eFiled.
   • Last Will and Testament (Original Death Notices do NOT need to be forwarded if they have been eFiled).
   • CORE is the system used by the Duval County Clerk of Courts to display all information officially filed in the court system - both eFiled documents and documents filed manually.
   • The ePortal may have more limits on your ability to view case information and documents than CORE.
   • The Duval Clerk has no ability to modify access on the ePortal, other than to add an attorney to a case.
   • All departments can be reached at (904) 255-2000.
8. Duval County Clerk, CORE Clerk Online Resource ePortal, checked October 16, 2026
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   • CORE - Clerk Online Resource ePortal
   • Login to CORE
9. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
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   • the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal serves as a single, statewide access point connecting thousands of users to Florida's court system.
10. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Duval Judges and procedures, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Probate Division Judge PR-A Judge Kevin A. Blazs Ex Parte and Procedures
    • PR-B Judge Thomas M. Beverly Ex Parte and Procedures
11. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Division PR-A procedures (Judge Blazs, October 13, 2026), checked October 16, 2026
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    • DUVAL COUNTY COURTHOUSE HONORABLE KEVIN A. BLAZS 501 W. Adams Street, Room 7264
    • October 13, 2026 DIVISION PR-A PROCEDURES
    • Non-Evidentiary hearings are held via zoom.
    • Evidentiary hearings are held in person in Hearing Room 746, unless otherwise noted.
    • All proposed orders should be filed through the e-portal except as noted below.
    • Proposed orders come directly to the Court. They do not go through the Clerk first. Your pleading must be filed through the Clerk and appear on the docket prior to submission of your order.
    • ORDERS OF DISCHARGE (both probate and guardianship) will no longer be submitted by paper directly to the Clerk.
    • Upon receipt of the notification from the Clerk, you may submit your proposed order of discharge through the e-portal.
    • These should be formatted for a wet signature (no codes) and mailed or hand delivered directly to the Clerk (not filed through the portal).
    • If conformed copies are desired, please submit same along with self-addressed, stamped envelopes.
    • Please be aware that Judge Blazs requires an Affidavit of Heirs to be filed even in testate matters.
    • Once the Order packet has been submitted to the clerk, please call the clerk and ask that they pull the will and send the packet up to the court.
    • subject line: URGENT: Case number, case name, and reason for the email
    • (904)255-1282. The Judicial Assistant will be happy to give you dates to circulate to opposing counsel.
    • The Zoom link will be provided by the Judicial Assistant upon confirmation of a date and time.
    • each party shall provide to the Court exhibits or hard copies of any materials to be considered at the hearing at least three business days prior to the commencement of the hearing.
    • PLEASE CHECK THE DOCKET for updates before contacting the Judicial Assistant for case status.
    • If an order is rejected, there will be an email. Please be sure to check your spam folder as rejection emails from the system may wind up there.
    • IT IS JUDGE BLAZS EXPECTATION THAT COUNSEL HAVE SPOKEN AND ATTEMPTED TO WORK OUT ANY ISSUES PRIOR TO CALLING TO SET A HEARING.
12. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Division PR-B procedures (Judge Beverly, July 22, 2026), checked October 16, 2026
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    • PROBATE / GUARDIANSHIP CIRCUIT JUDGE, THOMAS M. BEVERLY DIVISION PR-B PROCEDURES AS OF JULY 22, 2026:
    • All hearings are held via zoom.
    • All proposed orders should be filed through the e-portal except as noted below.
    • Proposed orders come directly to the Court. They do not go through the Clerk first.
    • ORDERS OF DISCHARGE (both probate and guardianship) will no longer be submitted by paper directly to the Clerk.
    • These should be formatted for a wet signature (no codes) and mailed or hand delivered directly to the Clerk (not filed through the portal). Please do not email the clerk.
    • subject line: URGENT: Case number, case name, and reason for the email
    • The Zoom link will be provided by the Judicial Assistant upon confirmation of a date and time.
    • at least three business days prior to the commencement of the hearing. Tabbed, three-ring binders are preferred.
    • EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 904-255-1231
13. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Proposed Orders eFiling, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Failure to follow these procedures will result in your submission being returned without docketing.
    • The portal will also require a cover letter/copy of motion in PDF format that should be combined as a single PDF document.
    • Counsel shall ensure the Clerk's docket reflects the current attorney of record or change in appearance of attorneys.
    • Proposed Order Templates for Duval County: Family County Circuit Juvenile Guardianship Probate
14. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Procedures for Submitting a Proposed Order, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Procedures for Submitting a Proposed Order in the Fourth Circuit
    • Proposed Orders MUST be submitted in Microsoft Word .docx format (Word 2016 or newer).
    • A Cover Letter is also REQUIRED.
    • The corresponding Motion MUST be filed along with the Proposed Order and Cover Letter.
    • Proposed Orders in the Fourth Circuit MUST include DJMCA formatting.
    • All Proposed Orders MUST include the Unified Case Number (UCN).
    • will be subject to rejection by the Court.
15. Florida Statutes § 28.2401, probate service charges and filing fees (2026), checked October 16, 2026
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    • but not to include issuance of letters or order of summary administration .......... $230
    • 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
    • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at $1,000 or more .......... $340
    • Fee for summary administration - 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.
16. Florida Statutes § 28.241, filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings (2026), checked October 16, 2026
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    • 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.
17. Florida Statutes § 732.901, production of wills (2026), checked October 16, 2026
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    • 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
18. 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
19. Florida Statutes § 735.301, disposition without administration (2026), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • nonexempt personal property the value of which does not exceed the sum of the amount of preferred funeral expenses and reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness
20. Florida Statutes § 735.303, payment to successor without court proceedings (2026), checked October 16, 2026
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    • do not exceed an aggregate total of $2,000
    • The financial institution may not make such payment earlier than 6 months after the date of the decedent's death.
21. Florida Statutes § 731.110, caveat (2026), checked October 16, 2026
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    • Any interested person who is apprehensive that an estate, either testate or intestate, will be administered or that a will may be admitted to probate without that person's knowledge may file a caveat with the court.
22. Florida Statutes § 733.707, order of payment of expenses and obligations (2026), checked October 16, 2026
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    • Reasonable funeral, interment, and grave marker expenses, whether paid by a guardian, the personal representative, or any other person, not to exceed the aggregate of $6,000.
    • Reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness of the decedent
23. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2026-01, 2026 Judicial Assignments, checked October 16, 2026
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    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2026-01
    • 2026 JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS
    • PR-A Kevin Blazs
    • PR-B Thomas M. Beverly*

    Note: Scanned order with no text layer. The schedule was read from the page image on 2026-10-16. The asterisk marks an Administrative Judge on the schedule.

24. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2017-16, Creation of Division PR-B, checked October 16, 2026
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    • RE: CREATION OF DIVISION PR-B
    • Circuit Court Division PR-B shall be established on January l, 2018.
    • Beginning on January 1, 2018, all newly filed probate cases shall be assigned in rotating order to Divisions PR-A and PR-B by the Clerk of Courts.
25. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2018-06, Assignment of Cases in the Probate Division, checked October 16, 2026
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    • RE: ASSIGNMENT OF CASES IN THE PROBATE DIVISION
    • Division PR-A has been assigned even numbered cases and Division PR-B has been assigned odd numbered cases by the Clerk of Courts
    • Division PR-A will retain all even numbered cases that were assigned to Division
    • all odd numbered cases that were assigned to Division PR-A on or before December 31, 2017, shall be reassigned
    • it has now come to the attention of this Court that Division PR-B should be
26. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2018-03, Mental Health Incapacity and Guardianship Cases, checked October 16, 2026
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    • RE: ASSIGNMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH INCAPACITY AND GUARDIANSHIP
    • The Clerk of Court shall assign a mental health incapacity case and a guardianship case involving the same alleged incapacitated person to the same division
27. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2006-01, Creation of Probate Division, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Creation of Probate Division for the Circuit Court in and for Duval County
    • Effective February 1, 2006, a Probate Division
    • involving the probate of a will, the administration of an estate, a guardianship
28. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2023-08, Baker Act Cases to the Probate Division, checked October 16, 2026
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    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2023-08
    • The Duval County Clerk of Court is directed to assign to the Probate Division all cases
    • filed pursuant to the Baker Act
29. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2023-13, Marchman Act Cases to the Probate Division, checked October 16, 2026
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    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2023-13
    • The Duval County Clerk of Court is directed to assign to the Probate Division all cases
    • filed pursuant to the Marchman Act.
30. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Self-Help, Probate, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate Affidavit of Heirs Summary Administration Petition Checklist
31. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Affidavit of Heirs (Duval), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA
    • AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRS (Fla. Stat. 732.103) Updated 7/10/2025
    • you must list ALL RELATIVES of the decedent
32. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Summary Administration Petition Checklist, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION PETITION Checklist
    • Certified copy of death certificate [731.103(1), 5.205(a)(3)]
    • Deceased > 2 years **OR** estate <= $75,000 [735.201(2)] (circle one)
    • Update 6/9/2025

    Note: The checklist prints $75,000; § 735.201(2) reads $150,000 since July 1, 2026.

33. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Probate proposed order template (Duval), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA
    • DONE AND ORDERED in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida on DDDD.
34. Duval County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Online Homestead Exemption
    • Exemptions
35. Duval County Property Appraiser, Homestead and Other Exemptions, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The exemption removes $25,000 off the assessed value of an owner-occupied residence and could provide up to another $25,000 additional exemption off assessed value over $50,000.
    • To be eligible for a homestead exemption, you must own and occupy your home as your permanent residence on January 1.
    • benefit which limits future annual increases in assessed value to 3% or less.
    • The sale of the property, changes in ownership or changes to the property can cause the exemption and benefit to be removed or altered.
    • to the Customer Service/Exemptions Division at 231 E. Forsyth Street, Suite 260, Jacksonville, Florida 32202
36. Duval County Property Appraiser, Contact Us, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Duval County Property Appraiser 231 E. Forsyth St., Ste. 270 Jacksonville, FL 32202 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
    • Customer Service/Exemptions Division (Room 260) Phone: 904.255-5900
37. Florida Department of Health in Duval County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Death certificates are available for deaths occurring in the state of Florida from 2009 to present.
    • Any death prior to 2009 must be requested from the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville
    • open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • 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 a certificate listing the cause of death.
    • $15 - death certificate $10 - additional certificates
    • the only vendor authorized by the Florida Department of Health
    • Vital Statistics 904-253-1620
38. Florida Department of Health in Duval County, Vital Statistics location, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 3225 University Blvd. South, Jacksonville, FL 32216 Phone: 904-253-1620