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Jefferson County probate help.
- Circuit
- 2nd Judicial Circuit
- Clerk probate line
- (850) 342-0218
- E-filing
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
- Posted filing fees
- Formal administration $400.00Summary administration $345.00Opening an estate $231.00
- Last checked
- October 16, 2026
Clerk filing details, probate judge assignments, circuit administrative orders and local requirements for Jefferson County, each linked to its official page.
New-client intake is closed until late October 2026.
Map of Jefferson County, Florida.
Cities in Jefferson County
Monticello, Lloyd, Wacissa. County seat: Monticello.
Jefferson County probate facts, checked October 16, 2026
Clerk and filing
| Office | Jefferson County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Address | Jefferson County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Circle, Monticello, FL 32344 jeffersonclerk.com |
| Phone | (850) 342-0218 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| E-filing | Florida Courts E-Filing Portal |
| Fee schedule | jeffersonclerk.com |
E-filing and records search
- The clerk accepts e-filings for Circuit Civil, Family, Probate, County Civil and Juvenile Dependency cases through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (myflcourtaccess.com). jeffersonclerk.com
- The clerk's e-filing page states a follow-up filing rule: a document filed by electronic transmission is followed immediately by the identical paper document with an original signature, if a signature is otherwise required by the Rules of Judicial Administration. The page says the follow-up filing will end once the clerk and Chief Judge certify the system to the Florida Courts Technology Commission and the Commission authorizes it. jeffersonclerk.com
Probate filing fees posted by the clerk
| Filing | Posted fee | Statute basis |
|---|---|---|
| Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship and conservatorship | $400.00 | § 28.2401(1)(g) caps the fee at $395; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Summary administration, estate of more than $1,000 | $345.00 | § 28.2401(1)(e) caps the fee at $340; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Summary administration, estate of less than $1,000 | $235.00 | § 28.2401(1)(f) caps the fee at $230; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Opening any estate of one document or more | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(a) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Disposition of personal property without administration | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(d) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Petition and order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies or transcript to record | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(c) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Guardianship proceedings, person only | $235.00 | § 28.2401(1)(h) caps the fee at $230; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Determination of incapacity | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(k) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Caveat | $41.00 | § 28.2401(1)(b) caps the fee at $40 flsenate.gov |
| Reopen fee | $50.00 | § 28.241(1) sets reopen fees for a pleading filed at least 90 days after a final order or judgment flsenate.gov |
Source: Jefferson County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. The schedule prints its own effective date, May 1, 2024. Each posted fee that has a § 28.2401 amount is $1 above that amount (plus the $4 petition charge where § 28.2401(3) applies). The schedule also lists notice of trust at 41.00 (7.00 more per trustee) and trusts at 400.00.
Judges and divisions
2nd Judicial Circuit. Serves Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties.
| Judge | Division | Assigned by | Order date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judge Jason L. Jones | Jefferson County, all circuit cases | AO 2026-02, Second Amendment | Signed August 21, 2026; effective immediately |
Courthouses that hear probate
- Jefferson County Courthouse, 1 Court House Circle, Monticello, FL 32344; 850-342-0218 2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov probate assignment
- Florida Statutes § 26.021 places Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties in the Second Judicial Circuit. flsenate.gov
- Magistrates assigned to Jefferson County hear family cases with pro se parties, except uncontested family cases, simplified dissolution of marriage cases, juvenile dependency, termination of parental rights trials, juvenile delinquency and protective injunctions. 2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov
Administrative orders
Orders of the 2nd Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Jefferson County. Circuit order index.
- AO 2026-02, Second Amendment, Circuit and County Judge Assignments. Date: August 21, 2026 (effective immediately). Assigns all Jefferson County circuit cases to Judge Jason L. Jones and all county court cases to County Judge Robert R. Plaines.
- AO 2026-04, Courthouse Security. Date: October 8, 2026 (effective immediately). Requires a bailiff to screen every visitor entering a courthouse, courtroom, hearing room or chambers in the Second Circuit.
Local requirements and forms
Filing and venue
- Probate proceedings are held in the circuit court of the county where the deceased was domiciled or owned property. jeffersonclerk.com
- All guardianship matters in Florida require an attorney (Rule 5.030, cited by the clerk). jeffersonclerk.com
- Administrative Order 2026-02, Second Amendment, Section III assigns all Jefferson County circuit cases to Circuit Judge Jason L. Jones. 2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov
Wills
- Depositing a will with the clerk has no fee, and a will cannot be deposited for safekeeping while the will maker is alive. jeffersonclerk.com
Small estates
- A disposition of personal property without administration may be filed without an attorney. The probate clerks process the forms, verify the decedent's assets and prepare the order allowing distribution. jeffersonclerk.com
E-filing
- The clerk's e-filing page requires a follow-up paper filing of the identical document with an original signature when a signature is otherwise required, until the follow-up filing is discontinued under the process the page describes. jeffersonclerk.com
Required filings
- Judge Jones requires the original authenticated copy of the death certificate in every probate case, and an Affidavit of Heirs in all cases, with the Summary Administration Checklist or the Formal Administration Opening and Closing Checklists. 2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov
- The clerk's Formal Administration opening checklist states that all orders provided to the court must show the persons to whom the order is copied, with self-addressed stamped envelopes (no return address) for mailing. jeffersonclerk.com
Bond and homestead
- A Petition to Determine Homestead Status filed before Judge Jones must state the petitioner's relation to the owner and whether the property is inside or outside a municipality. 2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov
Hearings
- Judge Jones sets hearings by email to the judicial assistant with the case number, the matter, whether the hearing is evidentiary and the time needed. A notice of hearing must be filed within 48 hours, and hearing time is not reserved until the judicial assistant has the notice. 2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov
Proposed orders
- Judge Jones takes proposed orders by email to the judicial assistant in Word format. 2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov
Guardianship
- A petition for a guardian of a minor is filed when the minor has inherited money or property above $15,000. jeffersonclerk.com
Forms and checklists
- Formal Administration Checklist for Opening Estate, Jefferson County Clerk
- Formal Administration Checklist for Closing Estate, Jefferson County Clerk
- Affidavit of Heirs, Jefferson County Clerk
- Disposition of Personal Property without Administration, Jefferson County Clerk
- Waiver and Consent for Disposition of Personal Property, Jefferson County Clerk
- Probate Statement of Claim, Jefferson County Clerk
- Circuit approved probate forms: Affidavit of Heirs, Formal Administration Opening and Closing Checklists, Summary Administration Checklist (Word), Second Judicial Circuit
Property and homestead
| Office | Jefferson County Property Appraiser |
|---|---|
| Homestead | Homestead exemption overview |
| Phone | 850-997-3356 |
| Address | 480 W Walnut Street, Monticello, FL 32344 jeffersonpa.net |
- A homestead application is due no later than March 1 of the year the exemption is to begin. jeffersonpa.net
- The Property Appraiser lists recording a deed that transfers ownership into other names, unless it is joint tenants with rights of survivorship, as a common reason to lose a homestead exemption. jeffersonpa.net
- When a trust holds title, the homestead applicant must have equitable title or a beneficial interest, and a copy of the trust agreement may be requested. jeffersonpa.net
- The Property Appraiser's office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except holidays. jeffersonpa.net
Death certificates
| Office | Florida Department of Health in Jefferson County, Monticello office |
|---|---|
| Fee | $15 per death certificate |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Monticello | 1255 West Washington St., Monticello, FL 32344, 850-342-0170 |
- Death certificates cover deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present, and a copy of a valid ID goes with every request. jefferson.floridahealth.gov
- VitalChek is the only vendor the Department of Health authorizes for online orders. jefferson.floridahealth.gov
Records and help
- The clerk's probate department keeps the files on probate estates, wills, trusts and guardianships, and sends a file from the Records Center to the department within two working days of the request. jeffersonclerk.com
Sources
Last checked: October 16, 2026. Each source shows the text that supports the facts above.
- 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.
- Florida Statutes § 28.241, filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings (2026), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Reopen fees are due at the time a party files a pleading to reopen a proceeding if at least 90 days have elapsed since the filing of a final order or final judgment with the clerk.
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal serves as a single, statewide access point connecting thousands of users to Florida's court system.
- Florida Statutes § 26.021, judicial circuits (2026), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- (1) The first circuit is composed of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties.
- (2) The second circuit is composed of Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla Counties.
- Second Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Welcome to the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Second Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- The Chief Judge of each of Florida's 20 judicial circuits has administrative supervision over all courts within the circuit.
- Administrative orders provide guidance to court partners, the public, and to attorneys on a variety of topics, such as judge assignments, court processes, policies, and priorities within the circuit.
- Administrative Order 2026-02, Second Amendment (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2026-02
- SECOND AMENDMENT
- IN RE: CIRCUIT AND COUNTY JUDGE ASSIGNMENTS
- D. Effective Date: This Second Amendment shall be effective immediately and shall supersede Administrative Order 2026-02, First Amendment.
- DONE AND ORDERED in chambers in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 21st day of August 2026.
- FRANCIS J. ALLMAN CHIEF JUDGE
- III. JEFFERSON COUNTY
- A. Circuit Judge Jason L. Jones shall be assigned all circuit cases and appeals from final administrative orders of local government code enforcement boards
- B. County Judge Robert R. Plaines shall be assigned all county court cases
- Administrative Order 2026-04, Courthouse Security (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2026-04
- IN RE: COURTHOUSE SECURITY
- All visitors entering any Courthouse, courtroom, hearing room, or chambers will be screened by a bailiff prior to entering.
- ORDERED, effective immediately:
- Second Judicial Circuit, Jefferson County courthouse page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Jefferson County 1 Court House Circle Monticello, FL 32344 850-342-0218
- Second Judicial Circuit, Circuit Approved Forms page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Probate Forms
- » Affidavit Of Heirs (Word)
- » Formal Administration Closing Checklist (Word)
- » Formal Administration Opening Checklist (Word)
- » Summary Administration Checklist (Word)
- Judge Jason L. Jones, Procedures and Preferences (PDF, 02/04/2026), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Current Assignments: Leon and Jefferson Counties
- SECTION 7 - PROBATE
- 1. In all cases, you must file with the Clerk's office the Original "Authenticated Copy" of the Death Certificate.
- a. Affidavit of Heirs in all cases
- b. Summary Administration Checklist
- c. Formal Administration Opening Checklist
- d. Formal Administration Closing Checklist
- 3. When filing the Petition to Determine Homestead Status please include the following:
- (1) relation to the petitioner to the owner and (2) if the property is inside or outside of a municipality
- 2.3 Specially Set Motion Hearings - To set a hearing please e-mail Beth Rissinger, JA
- A notice of hearing must be filed within 48- hours and it must indicate if the hearing is evidentiary or not.
- **PLEASE NOTE: Hearing time is not reserved until the JA has received the Notice of Hearing and a Notice of Hearing is filed.**
- All proposed orders must be e-mailed to the JA in Word format.
- Jefferson County Clerk, Probate & Guardianship page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- The Probate Department maintains the files on probate estates, wills, trusts, and guardianships for both minors and incapacitated persons.
- Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration may be filed without the assistance of an attorney and is handled by the Clerks in the Probate Department.
- all Guardianship matters in the State of Florida require an attorney (Rule 5.030)
- Is there a fee for depositing a will? No.
- Can a will be deposited with the Court for safekeeping if the testator (will maker) is still alive? No.
- Proceedings are held in the Circuit Court of the county where the deceased was domiciled or owned property.
- The file will be sent to the department within two working days of receiving the request at the Records Center.
- Related Forms Disposition of Personal Property without Administration Affidavit of Heirs Waiver and Consent for Disposition of Personal Property Statement of Claim Formal Administration Checklist for Opening Estate Formal Administration Checklist for Closing Estate
- Jefferson County Clerk, Contact page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Courthouse: 1 Courthouse Circle Monticello, FL 32344 Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Phone: (850) 342-0218
- Jefferson County Clerk, E-Filing page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Circuit Civil Family (Domestic Relations) Probate County Civil Juvenile Dependency
- Those wishing to electronically file court records can do so by using Florida’s E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com .
- shall immediately thereafter file the identical document in paper form with an original signature of the attorney, party, or other person if a signature is otherwise required by the Rules of Judicial Administration
- The follow-up filing of any document that has been previously filed by electronic transmission will be discontinued once the Jefferson County Clerk of Court and Chief Judge certify to the Florida Courts Technology Commission
- Jefferson County Clerk, Schedule of Service Charges (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Schedule of Service Charges
- Effective May 1, 2024
- PROBATE COURT RECORDS FILING FEES
- Opening Any Estate of one document or more
- Disposition of Personal Property without Administration
- Determination of Incapacity
- Notice of Trust
- 231.00
- 235.00
- 345.00
- 400.00
- 41.00
- 50.00
Note: The PDF prints its own effective date, May 1, 2024. The text layer interleaves item names and amounts, so items and amounts are quoted separately; the amounts below are as laid out on page 3 of the schedule: opening any estate 231.00; formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship and conservatorship 400.00; summary administration under $1,000 235.00 and over $1,000 345.00; disposition of personal property 231.00; foreign wills 231.00; guardianship of the person only 235.00; determination of incapacity 231.00; notice of trust 41.00 (7.00 more per trustee); trusts 400.00; caveat 41.00; reopen fee 50.00.
- Jefferson County Clerk, Formal Administration Checklist for Opening Estate (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- FORMAL ADMINISTRATION CHECKLIST FOR OPENING ESTATE
- (All orders provided to the court must show the persons to whom the order is copied; and self addressed stamped envelopes (with no
- Jefferson County Clerk, Formal Administration Checklist for Closing Estate (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- FORMAL ADMINISTRATION CHECKLIST FOR CLOSING ESTATE
- Jefferson County Clerk, Affidavit of Heirs (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- IN AND FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY, FLORIDA
- PROBATE DIVISION
- Jefferson County Clerk, Disposition of Personal Property without Administration (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION
- 735.301 Disposition without administration.
- Jefferson County Clerk, Waiver and Consent for Disposition of Personal Property (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY WAIVER & CONSENT FORM
- Jefferson County Clerk, Probate Statement of Claim (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- IN AND FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY, FLORIDA
- RE: ESTATE OF:
- Jefferson County Property Appraiser, Homestead Exemption page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Submit an application no later than March 1 of the year you wish the exemption to begin.
- Recording a deed that transfer’s ownership into other names, unless it is Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship.
- If title to the home is held in the name of a trust, the applicant must have equitable title or beneficial interest to qualify for the homestead exemption.
- 480 W Walnut Street
- Monticello, FL 32344
- 850-997-3356
- Office Hours: M–F 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. (Except Holidays)
Note: jeffersonpa.net answers scripted requests with a Cloudflare browser check (HTTP 403), so this page was read in a browser on October 16, 2026 and the source checker cannot re-read it.
- Jefferson County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Official Website of the Jefferson County Property Appraiser
Note: Read in a browser on October 16, 2026; scripted requests receive a Cloudflare browser check (HTTP 403).
- Florida Department of Health in Jefferson 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.
- A legible copy of a valid driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or military identification card must accompany all requests.
- open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- $15 Death Certificate
- Order death certificates online through VitalChek® , the only vendor authorized by the Florida Department of Health.
- Florida Department of Health in Jefferson County 850-342-0170
- 1255 West Washington St. Monticello, FL 32344
