Hendry County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk's probate page links the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; the circuit's Hendry County judges take proposed orders only through the portal. hendryclerk.org
• Judge Ostrov's proposed-order rules: submit through the portal, no later than three business days before an event and within ten days after a hearing, and only after the supporting documents are viewable on the clerk's site. ca.cjis20.org
• The clerk's Online Court Records Search offers anonymous public access, and attorney and registered-user access with a user ID and password. civitekflorida.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. The Hendry clerk's probate page posts no dollar amounts. It says current filing fees are in the Schedule of Service Charges at the clerk's office, and the amounts in the table are the § 28.2401 caps the clerk may charge. Ask the clerk for the posted total before filing.

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

• Hendry County Courthouse, 25 E. Hickpochee Ave., LaBelle, FL 33935; (863) 675-5217; Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ca.cjis20.org probate assignment

• The Glades County Judge is assigned to temporary service, as needed, in the Hendry County Circuit Court and County Court through December 31, 2026; Judge Hill is named as Administrative Circuit Judge on the order. ca.cjis20.org
• Judge Hill's circuit profile lists Glades and Hendry Counties with General Civil 100% and Guardianship 100% and no probate line. ca.cjis20.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 20th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Hendry 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: Listed June 19, 2000 on the circuit index. Appoints the Public Defender to represent each person who is the subject of a Baker Act petition.
• AO 30.39, Emergency Order Discharging Robert Lipshutz and Recognizing Patrick C. Weber as Public Guardian for Lee and Hendry Counties. Date: August 18, 2022. Recognizes Patrick C. Weber, P.A. as successor Public Guardian for Lee and Hendry counties in all active cases in which the Public Guardian has appeared and/or been appointed.
• AO 20.26, Temporary Assignment Order, Judge William K. Dorman III, Hendry County. Date: Effective January 9, 2026; through December 31, 2026. Assigns the Glades County Judge to temporary service, as needed, in the Circuit Court and County Court of Hendry County.

Local requirements and forms

Wills

• The custodian of a will deposits it with the clerk within ten days after learning of the death; the clerk states no attorney is needed to file the will. hendryclerk.org
• 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

Filing

• A probate proceeding starts with a petition by the person asking to be appointed personal representative; the clerk says an attorney normally prepares it. hendryclerk.org
• The circuit's probate page says Hendry County has no case management for probate and sends questions to the clerk. ca.cjis20.org

Disposition without administration

• The petition asks for release of assets to the person who paid the final expenses. It carries itemized paid funeral bills, paid receipts for medical expenses in the 60 days before death, the death certificate, a statement of the asset type, identification of the filer and the filing fee. hendryclerk.org
• The court enters an order allowing or disallowing the release, and a certified copy is mailed to the petitioner. hendryclerk.org

Proposed orders

• Judge Ostrov takes proposed orders through the E-Filing Portal. An order for an upcoming event reaches the judge at least three business days before it; other orders are submitted within ten days after the hearing. ca.cjis20.org
• A proposed order that depends on documents is sent only after those documents are viewable on the clerk's site. ca.cjis20.org
• Judge Hill's profile carries the same rule: submit through the portal, and wait until the supporting documents are viewable on the clerk's site. ca.cjis20.org

Hearings

• Proceedings before Judge Ostrov are in person. A request to appear remotely is made by motion at least 10 days before the hearing, unless good cause waives the time frame. ca.cjis20.org
• Hearing requests go to the judge's judicial assistant. ca.cjis20.org

Forms and checklists

• Circuit Probate Information page for Hendry County, Twentieth Judicial Circuit
• Clerk probate page with filing steps for disposition of personal property without administration, Hendry County Clerk

Property and homestead

• The Department of Revenue says homestead and other exemption applications go to the property appraiser in the county where the property is located, and the appraiser decides whether a parcel qualifies. floridarevenue.com

Death certificates

• The Hendry County Vital Statistics office sells certified death certificates for deaths in Hendry County from 1963 to the present, and death certificates are ordered online through VitalChek. hendry.floridahealth.gov
• The page asks the applicant to be the parent, guardian or legal representative of the person named on the certificate, or to have a court order, and to bring photo identification. hendry.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• The clerk's probate page prints $75,000 as the summary administration limit; § 735.201(2) reads $150,000 as amended by chapter 2026-57. hendryclerk.org
• 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 main number is (863) 675-5217 at LaBelle and (863) 983-1586 at Clewiston; the civil line is (863) 675-5204, Judicial Center 2nd Floor. The directory lists no separate probate line. hendryclerk.org
• 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 § 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
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal serves as a single, statewide access point connecting thousands of users to Florida's court system.
7. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Court Schedules
   • Lee County
   • Charlotte County
   • Collier County
   • Glades County
   • Hendry County
8. 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 Hendry Clerk of Court (Probate) for more information:
9. 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)
   • Emergency Order Discharging Robert Lipshutz and Recognizing Patrick C. Weber as Public Guardian for Lee & Hendry Counties, signed August 18, 2022
   • Temporary Assignment Order for Judge William K. Dorman, III – appointed and assigned to temporary service, as may be needed, to the Circuit Court and County Court of Hendry County, Florida – effective January 9, 2026
10. 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
11. 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

    Note: The index lists the order as 6/19/00. The PDF is a scan; its clerk certification stamp reads June 20, 2001 and its order-date line is not legible, so the order date is stated as the index lists it.

12. 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
13. Twentieth Circuit emergency order recognizing the Public Guardian for Lee and Hendry counties, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Patrick C. Weber of Patrick C. Weber, P.A. is to be recognized as the successor Public Guardian for Lee and Hendry counties
14. Twentieth Circuit order assigning Judge Dorman to Hendry County courts, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • County Judge for Glades County, is hereby appointed and assigned to temporary service, as may be needed, to the Circuit Court and County Court of Hendry County, Florida, through December 31, 2026.
    • Honorable Darrell R. Hill, Administrative Circuit Judge
15. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Hendry County Courthouse, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Hendry County Courthouse
    • 25 E. Hickpochee LaBelle, FL 33935 Phone: (863) 675-5217
    • Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 5pm
16. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge Robert Ostrov profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Division Hendry County Criminal Misdemeanor 100%
    • Probate (Circuit Assignment) 100%
    • All orders should be submitted through the E-portal at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com .
    • the order must be submitted for the judge’s review no later than three business days before the event is scheduled to occur. Orders received outside of this timeframe will not be considered.
    • DO NOT SEND THE PROPOSED ORDER UNTIL THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) ARE VIEWABLE ON THE CLERK’S SITE.
    • Court proceedings with Judge Ostrov are in-person appearances.
    • Motion must be received a minimum of 10 days prior to the hearing or demonstrate good cause why the time frame should be waived.
    • directly for any and all hearing requests.
17. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge Darrell R. Hill profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Division Glades & Hendry Counties Criminal 100% General Civil 100% Juvenile Dependency 100% Domestic Relations 100% Guardianship 100%
    • All orders should be submitted through the E-portal at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com .
    • DO NOT SEND THE PROPOSED ORDER UNTIL THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) ARE VIEWABLE ON THE CLERK’S SITE.
18. Hendry County Clerk, Probate page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • After the death of the person, the custodian of the will must deposit the will with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, within ten (10) days after receiving information that the person is deceased.
    • No, an attorney is not necessary to file the will with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
    • Probate proceedings are initiated with the filing of a Petition by the person asking to be appointed personal representative. The Petition is normally prepared by an attorney.
    • Summary administration may be filed when the value of the entire estate does not exceed $75,000.
    • The disposition is filed to request the release of assets of the deceased to the person who paid the final expenses, such as funeral bills or medical bills for the last 60 days.
    • Itemized, paid funeral bills.
    • Paid receipts for any medical expenses incurred sixty days prior to death.
    • Statement regarding the type of asset to be released.
    • Identification of the person filing.
    • The Court will enter an Order either allowing or disallowing the release of the assets. A certified copy of the Order is then mailed to the petitioner.
    • For current filing fees, refer to the Schedule of Service Charges, available in the Clerk’s Office.
    • County Courthouse 25 E. Hickpochee Ave. LaBelle, Florida 33935 (863) 675-5217
    • Courthouse Hours Monday – Friday 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM
    • Administrative Orders
    • E-Filing
19. Hendry County Clerk, Locations, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Physical: 25 E. Hickpochee Ave. LaBelle, FL 33935 Mailing: PO Box 1760 LaBelle, FL 33975 Phone Number (863)-675-5217 Operating Hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM.
    • Clewiston Sub-Office Mailing & Physical Address 1100 S. Olympia Street, Suite 502, Clewiston, FL 33440 Phone Number (863) 983-1464 Operating Hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM. Closed for lunch from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
20. Hendry County Clerk, Office Directory, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Main Number (863) 675-5217 (LaBelle) (863) 983-1586 (Clewiston) 25 E. Hickpochee Ave.
    • Civil (863) 675-5204 Judicial Center 2nd Floor
21. Hendry County Clerk, Online Court Records Search (OCRS), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Hendry County OCRS Online Court Records Search
    • Public This option allows for anonymous access to court records.
22. Hendry County government, Other Agencies page (lists the Property Appraiser), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Other Agencies Clerk of Circuit Court Tax Collector Property Appraiser Supervisor of Elections Sheriff 20th Circuit Courts

    Note: The Property Appraiser's own site, hendryprop.com, answers automated requests with an HTTP 403 browser check, so its text could not be read here. This county page lists the office.

23. 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.
    • When someone owns property and makes it his or her permanent residence or the permanent residence of his or her dependent, the property owner may be eligible to receive a homestead exemption
24. Florida Department of Health in Hendry County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Order death certificates online through VitalChek
    • The Hendry County Vital Statistics office has on-line access to and sells certified death certificates of persons who have died in Hendry County from 1963 to the present.
    • Be the parent, guardian, or legal representative of the person named on the certificate
    • Have a court order
    • You must bring photo identification.
    • Phone: 863-674-4041
    • LaBelle Address 1140 Pratt Blvd. LaBelle, FL 33935
    • Clewiston Address 1100 South Olympia Ave. Clewiston, FL 33440