Holmes County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk's site has no e-filing page; the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is the statewide access point for filing. myflcourtaccess.com
• Court records are searched through the county's OCRS site, linked from the clerk's home page as Search Court Records. civitekflorida.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Holmes County Clerk of Court and Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. Holmes County's clerk site lists no probate filing fees; the rows above show the § 28.2401 maximum for each filing. Call the clerk at (850) 547-1100 for the amount due.

Judges and divisions

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

Courthouses that hear probate

• Holmes County Courthouse, 201 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425; (850) 547-1100; 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 Roberts' page lists Holmes County Circuit Court as his assignment; office at 201 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, phone (850) 547-1106. jud14.flcourts.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 14th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Holmes 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 Department keeps court records of estates, trusts and guardianships and of Baker Act and Marchman Act cases; call (850) 547-1100. holmesclerk.com

Forms and checklists

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

Property and homestead

• The Holmes County Property Appraiser is at 226 N Waukesha Street, Bonifay, phone 850-547-1113, open Monday to Friday 8:00 to 4:00. The appraiser's site has no homestead page, so the homestead link goes to the Florida Department of Revenue, which says applications go to the property appraiser in the county where the property is located. qpublic.net
• The Department of Revenue states that a homestead exemption can decrease taxable value by as much as $50,000 and that the property appraiser determines whether a parcel is entitled to an exemption. floridarevenue.com

Death certificates

• A death certificate without the cause of death can be requested by any person 18 or over, with the first five digits of the Social Security number redacted; one with the cause of death goes to the spouse, parent, child, grandchild or sibling of legal age, a person who provides a will, insurance policy or other document showing an interest in the estate, or by court order. Valid photo identification is required when requesting the cause of death. holmes.floridahealth.gov
• Death certificates are also ordered through VitalChek, the only vendor the Department of Health authorizes online. holmes.floridahealth.gov

Sources

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

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

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

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

   • Administrative Court Orders
   • 2026-00-03
   • RE: JUDGE ASSIGNMENT PLAN
   • (Rescinding AO# 2025-00-06)
4. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal serves as a single, statewide access point connecting thousands of users to Florida's court system.
5. Florida Department of Revenue, Property Tax Exemptions and Additional Benefits, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER #2026-00-03
    • RE: JUDGE ASSIGNMENT PLAN JULY 1, 2026 - JANUARY 1, 2029
    • Judge Russell S. Roberts
    • Holmes County Circuit Proceedings (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.

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

    • The Probate Department maintains court records of the estates of deceased persons, trusts, appointments of guardians of minors, incapacitated persons, and adults who voluntarily request the appointment of a guardian of their property.
    • substance abuse cases pursuant to the Marchman Act
    • Holmes County Clerk of Court 201 N. Oklahoma Street Bonifay, FL 32425
    • P.O. Box 397 Bonifay, FL 32425
    • phone: (850) 547-1100
21. Holmes County Clerk, Contact Us, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
    • Physical Address: 201 N. Oklahoma Street Bonifay, FL 32425
    • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 397 Bonifay, FL 32425
    • Phone: (850) 547-1100
22. Holmes County Clerk, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Search Court Records
    • Search & Order Official Records
    • Holmes County, Florida Clerk of Court and Comptroller
23. Holmes County Online Court Records Search (OCRS), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Holmes County OCRS
    • DISCLAIMER
24. Holmes County Property Appraiser (qPublic home page), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Property Appraiser, Holmes County FL
    • 226 N Waukesha Street, Bonifay, FL 32425
    • 850-547-1113
    • Hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:00
25. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Russell S. Roberts, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Russell S. Roberts, Circuit Judge
    • Holmes County 201 North Oklahoma Street Bonifay, Florida 32425
    • (850) 547-1106
    • Holmes County Circuit Court
26. Florida Department of Health in Holmes 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.
    • Without Cause of Death: Any person of legal age (18 or over) may apply for a certified copy of a death record without the cause of death.
    • Death records less than 50 years old with the cause of death and full social security number are confidential
    • Any person who provides a will, insurance policy or other document that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate
    • Valid photo identification is required when requesting cause of death.
    • Death Certificates 2009 through present – Statewide:
    • Fee for Death Certifications: $10.00
    • Phone: 850-547-8500
    • 603 Scenic Hill Circle Bonifay, FL 32425
27. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Holmes County Courthouse, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 201 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, Florida 32425
28. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Calendars and Schedules, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

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

    • Sam Bailey
    • 201 North Oklahoma Street P.O. Box 397 Bonifay, Florida 32425
    • phone: 850-547-1100
    • fax: 850-547-6630
30. Florida Statutes § 28.2401, probate service charges and filing fees (2026), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Fee for the opening of any estate of one document or more
    • Charge for caveat .......... $40
    • Fee for petition and order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies, or transcript to record .......... $230
    • Fee for disposition of personal property without administration .......... $230
    • estates valued at $1,000 or more .......... $340
    • estates valued at less than $1,000 .......... $230
    • Fee for formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings .......... $395
    • Fee for guardianship proceedings of person only .......... $230
    • Fee for veterans’ guardianship pursuant to chapter 744 .......... $230
    • Charge for exemplified certificates .......... $7
    • Fee for petition for determination of incompetency .......... $230
    • An additional service charge of $4 on petitions seeking summary administration, formal administration, ancillary administration, guardianship, curatorship, and conservatorship shall be paid to the clerk.