Lake County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• Lake County does not take proposed orders through the Florida E-Filing Portal; the judges' offices take them by U.S. Mail with a cover letter, a portal-stamped copy of the checklist and a portal-stamped copy of the motion or petition. circuit5.org
• The circuit lists Citrus, Hernando, Marion and Sumter as the counties that accept proposed orders through the portal, and Lake as the county that does not. circuit5.org
• Original wills and death certificates go directly to the clerk, not to the judge's office. circuit5.org
• The clerk has 3 business days to accept the e-filing of an order from the judge's office; certified copies are bought 3 business days after the e-served order arrives. circuit5.org

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. Each posted fee that has a § 28.2401 amount is $1 above that amount (plus the $4 petition charge where § 28.2401(3) applies). Cashier's checks and money orders are payable to the clerk and mailed to ATTN: Probate, P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778.

Judges and divisions

5th Judicial Circuit. Serves Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties.

Courthouses that hear probate

• Lake County Courthouse (Judicial Center), 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778; (352) 253-1600 circuit5.org probate assignment

• The circuit lists Lake County Courthouse at 550 West Main Street, Tavares, (352) 253-1600. circuit5.org
• The Florida Courts site lists the Fifth Circuit as Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. flcourts.gov

Administrative orders

Orders of the 5th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Lake County. Circuit order index.

• AO L-2025-60-D, Fourth Amended Administrative Order of Circuit Court Assignments for 2026. Date: Circuit court assignments effective June 22, 2026. Distributes cases at random among the circuit judges, with one quarter of the probate docket under each of four judges.
• AO L-2022-24-A, Amended Administrative Order Re Mandatory Use of Certification Checklists in Estate Administrations in Lake County. Date: August 2023 (checklists revised later). Requires the matching Probate Certification Checklist with every proposed order in an estate administration; a submission without one may be rejected.
• AO L-2023-27, Administrative Order Governing Mandatory Filing of Affidavit of Heirs in Estate Administration in Lake County. Date: August 2023. Requires a notarized Affidavit of Heirs in every probate case filed in Lake County unless waived by petition or motion.
• AO L-2023-28, Administrative Order Governing Mandatory Filing of Notice Regarding Original Will in Estate Administration in Lake County. Date: August 2023. Requires a Notice Regarding Original Will when opening any estate other than an ancillary administration, so the clerk can link the deposited will to the estate case.
• AO L-2004-46-A, Amended Administrative Order Regarding Assignments and Duties of the General Magistrate for Lake County. Date: Effective September 1, 2017. Names the matters a Lake County judge may refer to a general magistrate (dependency, family law, civil and Baker Act) and cites Fla. Prob. R. 5.697 and § 744.369 among its authorities.
• AO A-2026-13-A, Amended Administrative Order In Re The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Court Filings and Proceedings and The Protection of Confidential Information. Date: 2026. Applies to every filing in Lake, Citrus, Hernando, Marion and Sumter counties and reminds each signer that Rule 2.515(d)(2) requires the cited legal authorities to exist and be accurately cited.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and venue

• The clerk files wills deposited without an estate, estates (testate and intestate), trusts and caveats at the Lake County Courthouse in Tavares. lakecountyclerkfl.gov
• The clerk's Probate, Guardianship and Mental Health section answers at (352) 742-4122. lakecountyclerkfl.gov
• Four circuit judges (Baxley, Davis, Rada, Welke) share probate in Lake County, and each judge's chambers is in the Lake County Judicial Center at 550 W. Main Street. circuit5.org

Wills

• The custodian deposits the will with the clerk within ten days after learning that the testator has died. lakecountyclerkfl.gov
• Original wills and death certificates go directly to the clerk, not to the judge's office. circuit5.org

Small estates and summary administration

• A disposition of personal property without administration comes with the will if any, a certified death certificate, the funeral bill (showing whether it was paid and by whom), a statement of the assets and the institution holding them, and a photo ID of the filer. lakecountyclerkfl.gov
• The clerk's form requests release of assets to the person who paid final expenses such as funeral bills or medical bills for the last 60 days. lakecountyclerkfl.gov
• Section 735.301 limits a disposition without administration to a decedent leaving only exempt personal property plus nonexempt personal property up to preferred funeral expenses and last-60-day medical expenses. flsenate.gov
• The clerk page prints $75,000 as the summary administration limit; § 735.201(2) reads $150,000 under chapter 2026-57, effective July 1, 2026. flsenate.gov

Proposed orders

• All four Lake County probate judges use the same procedure for proposed orders: a cover letter mailed to the judge's office with a portal-stamped checklist, a portal-stamped motion or petition, and the proposed order. circuit5.org
• Proposed orders are held ten days for missing documents, then destroyed. circuit5.org
• Proposed orders go to the judicial assistant by U.S. Mail only; e-mailed orders are not accepted, and orders e-filed through the portal are rejected by the clerk. circuit5.org
• No payment goes to the judge's office; certified copies are bought from the clerk after the e-served order is received, and are not prepaid at filing. circuit5.org
• Lake County does not accept proposed orders through the portal at this time, unlike Citrus, Hernando, Marion and Sumter. circuit5.org

Checklists and mandatory forms

• Every proposed order in an estate administration carries the matching Probate Certification Checklist, and a submission without it may be rejected (AO L-2022-24-A). circuit5.org
• The checklists warn that missing or incorrect "Date Filed" entries make the checklist incomplete and the court may deny the petition on that basis. circuit5.org
• A notarized Affidavit of Heirs is filed in every probate case (AO L-2023-27). circuit5.org
• A Notice Regarding Original Will is filed with the opening of any estate except an ancillary administration (AO L-2023-28). circuit5.org
• The court posts checklists for opening formal administration, closing formal administration, summary administration and determining homestead status. circuit5.org
• Every filing in the five counties falls under the circuit order on artificial intelligence (AO A-2026-13-A). circuit5.org
• An Alleged Incapacitated Person coversheet applies to Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. circuit5.org

Forms and checklists

• Checklist for Opening Formal Administration, Fifth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Summary Administration (revised August 21, 2026), Fifth Judicial Circuit
• Checklist for Closing Formal Administration, Homestead Status checklist, Affidavit of Heirs, Notice Regarding Original Will, orders and petitions, Fifth Judicial Circuit
• Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration, Lake County Clerk
• Alleged Incapacitated Person Coversheet (five-county circuit form), Fifth Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• Homestead applicants own and occupy the home as a permanent residence on January 1 and apply by March 1. In person, the appraiser asks for two forms of Florida residency identification. lakecopropappr.com
• The Lake County Property Appraiser is at 320 West Main St., Suite A, Tavares, open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., (352) 253-2150. lakecopropappr.com

Death certificates

• The Department of Health issues death certificates only for deaths in Florida. Family members or a legal representative can request copies, and listing cause of death requires proper authorization. Orders go in person at three offices, by mail to P.O. Box 1305, Tavares, or online through VitalChek. lake.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• The clerk's main phone is 352-742-4100. The Probate, Guardianship and Mental Health section is (352) 742-4122. lakecountyclerkfl.gov
• The clerk's Tavares courthouse lists probate, guardianship and mental health services, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The North Lake branch (Lady Lake) and the South Lake branch (Clermont) each list marriage licenses and passports. The Records Storage Facility, 313 S. Bloxham Ave., Tavares, lists recording documents, records management, and mail receiving and processing. lakecountyclerkfl.gov
• 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 Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service takes calls at 800-342-8011, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. floridabar.org

Sources

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

1. Florida Statutes § 28.2401, probate service charges and filing fees (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Fee for formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings .......... $395
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at $1,000 or more .......... $340
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at less than $1,000 .......... $230
   • Charge for caveat .......... $40
   • Fee for disposition of personal property without administration .......... $230
   • Fee for guardianship proceedings of person only .......... $230
   • Charge for exemplified certificates .......... $7
   • An additional service charge of $4 on petitions seeking summary administration, formal administration, ancillary administration, guardianship, curatorship, and conservatorship shall be paid to the clerk.
   • Recording shall be required for all petitions opening and closing an estate; petitions regarding real estate; and orders, letters, bonds, oaths, wills, proofs of wills, returns, and such other papers as the judge shall deem advisable to record or that shall be required to be recorded under the Florida Probate Code.
2. Florida Statutes § 28.241, filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Reopen fees are due at the time a party files a pleading to reopen a proceeding if at least 90 days have elapsed since the filing of a final order or final judgment with the clerk.
3. Florida Statutes § 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. 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.
6. The Florida Bar, Lawyer Referral Service, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Call 800-342-8011, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
7. Fifth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Citrus County
   • Hernando County
   • Lake County
   • Marion County
   • Sumter County
8. Fifth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders index, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Administrative Orders are directives that are necessary to properly administer the court's affairs
   • Orders are grouped by their jurisdiction: circuit-wide and individual counties.
   • For the current list of Orders and Rules, please call 352-401-7841
9. Florida Courts, Trial Courts - Circuit, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Fifth Circuit - Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter
10. Fifth Judicial Circuit, AO A-2026-13-A Use of Artificial Intelligence in Court Filings (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. A-2026-13-A
    • This Order applies to all filings and written materials submitted through the Florida Courts e-Filing Portal or otherwise presented to any division in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties.
    • require each signer of a filing to represent that they have read the document, that there are good grounds supporting the document, and that the legal authorities identified in the filing exist and are accurately cited

    Note: Scanned PDF with no text layer. Quoted text read by OCR on 2026-10-16.

11. Fifth Judicial Circuit, Submitting Proposed Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The following Fifth Circuit Counties DO ACCEPT Proposed Orders via Florida's E-filing Portal:
    • Citrus
    • Hernando
    • Marion
    • Sumter
    • LAKE COUNTY - DOES NOT ACCEPT Proposed Orders via Florida's E-Filing Portal.
    • Proposed Orders must be SUBMITTED IN WORD FORMAT (.docx) ONLY
    • COVER LETTERS are OPTIONAL. Cover Letters must be in Adobe .pdf format.
12. Fifth Judicial Circuit, Alleged Incapacitated Persons forms, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Alleged Incapacitated Person Coversheet (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter)
13. Florida Statutes § 735.301, disposition without administration (2026), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • No administration shall be required or formal proceedings instituted upon the estate of a decedent leaving only personal property exempt under the provisions of s. 732.402
    • 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
14. Fifth Judicial Circuit, Lake County court page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Lake County Courthouse 550 West Main Street Tavares, Florida 32778 (352) 253-1600
    • Probate Division
15. Fifth Judicial Circuit, Lake County Probate Division, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Honorable James R. Baxley, Circuit Judge
    • Lake County Judicial Center P.O. Box 7800 550 W. Main Street, Suite 8 Tavares, FL 32778
    • Honorable Heidi Davis, Circuit Judge
    • 550 W. Main Street, Suite 5
    • Honorable Cary F. Rada, Circuit Judge
    • 550 W. Main Street, Suite 11
    • Honorable Brian J. Welke, Circuit Judge
    • 550 W. Main Street, Suite 6
    • Lake County has three Administrative Orders that address Probate procedures, which include Checklists, Affidavit of Heirs and Notice Regarding Will.
    • All four (4) Judges have the same procedures for submitting proposed probate orders in their offices:
    • Cover letters must be mailed directly to the appropriate Judge's office along with the following:
    • A Portal Stamped Submission Copy of the completed corresponding Checklist
    • A Portal Stamped Submission Copy of the Motion or Petition
    • Proposed orders received will be held for ten (10) days pending receipt of all applicable documentation
    • Please DO send your proposed orders to the Judicial Assistant via US Mail ONLY (orders via email will not be accepted).
    • Please DO NOT send proposed orders to the Clerk.
    • Please DO NOT attempt to e-file proposed orders through the e-portal (they will be rejected by the Clerk).
    • Please DO send Original Wills and/or Death Certificates directly to the Clerk of Court.
    • Please DO NOT send ANY form of payment to the Judges office
    • Certified copies should NOT be prepaid when filing your case.
    • The Clerk's office has 3 business days to accept the e-filing of an order, from the Judge's office.
    • Certified copies of the order can be purchased, in person, 3 business days AFTER you receive your e-serviced Order from the Judge's office, by a party to the case.
    • Checklist for Opening Formal Administration
    • Checklist for Closing Formal Administration
    • Checklist for Summary Administration
    • Checklist for Determining Homestead Status of Real in Formal and Summary Administration
    • Affidavit of Heirs
    • Notice Regarding Original Will
    • Disposition of Personal Property without Administration
    • Joinder Waiver and Consent
    • Notice of Trust
    • Oath of Witness to Will
    • Order Admitting Will to Probate
    • Order of Summary Administration with Will
    • Order of Summary Administration without Will
    • Petition for Summary Administration with Will
    • Petition for Summary Administration without Will
    • Proof of Will
16. Fifth Judicial Circuit, AO L-2025-60-D Circuit Court Assignments for 2026 (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • FOURTH AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF CIRCUIT COURT ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2026
    • Cases shall be randomly distributed as follows
    • 1/4 Probate
    • Circuit Court Assignments are Effective June 22, 2026.
    • JAMES BAXLEY administrative judge LAKE COUNTY

    Note: The PDF text layer lists Judges Welke, Boylston, Mosley, Nimeth, Takac and Toti as a stack of names followed by a stack of assignments, so the pairing is not readable from the text. The page image shows 1/4 Probate under Judge Baxley, Judge Davis, Judge Rada and Judge Welke, and no probate assignment under Judge Takac (civil jury and family cases) or Judge Toti (guardianships and mental health). The text layer prints the signature title in lower case; the page image prints ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE under JAMES BAXLEY, LAKE COUNTY.

17. Fifth Judicial Circuit, AO L-2022-24-A Mandatory Certification Checklists (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER L-2022-24-A
    • MANDATORY USE OF CERTIFICATION CHECKLISTS IN ESTATE ADMINISTRATIONS IN LAKE COUNTY
    • All litigants must utilize the appropriate Certification
    • All completed Certification Checklist(s) shall be submitted as supporting document(s) to any proposed orders in estate administrations.
    • Any submissions without an accompanying Probate Certification Checklist may be rejected.

    Note: Scanned PDF with no text layer. Quoted text read by OCR on 2026-10-16.

18. Fifth Judicial Circuit, AO L-2023-27 Mandatory Affidavit of Heirs (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER L-2023-27
    • GOVERNING MANDATORY FILING OF AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRS
    • All litigants must file the attached Affidavit of Heirs in every
    • The Affidavit must be notarized.

    Note: Scanned PDF with no text layer. Quoted text read by OCR on 2026-10-16.

19. Fifth Judicial Circuit, AO L-2023-28 Mandatory Notice Regarding Original Will (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER L-2023-28
    • GOVERNING MANDATORY FILING OF NOTICE REGARDING ORIGINAL WILL
    • All litigants must file the attached Notice Regarding Original Will with the opening of any estate, except ancillary administration, in Lake County.

    Note: Scanned PDF with no text layer. Quoted text read by OCR on 2026-10-16.

20. Fifth Judicial Circuit, AO L-2004-46-A General Magistrate for Lake County (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER REGARDING ASSIGNMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE FOR LAKE COUNTY
    • Fla. Prob. R. 5.697
    • section 744.369, Florida Statutes
    • the most efficient use of a general magistrate in Lake County is for the magistrate to hear proceedings related to dependency, family law, civil action, or Baker Act proceedings
21. Fifth Judicial Circuit, Lake County Checklist for Summary Administration (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • CHECKLIST FOR SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION
    • Revised August 21, 2026
    • If you do not provide correct dates in the Date Filed column for each item where a "YES" answer is provided, the checklist will be determined to be incomplete, and the court may deny the petition on that basis.
22. Fifth Judicial Circuit, Lake County Checklist for Opening Formal Administration (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • CHECKLIST FOR OPENING FORMAL ADMINISTRATION
23. Lake County Clerk, Probate, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Disposition of Personal Property without Administration may be filed when the decedent left only personal property exempt from probate under Section 737.402, Florida Statutes
    • Summary Administration may be filed when the value of the entire estate does not exceed $75,000, or the decedent has been dead for more than two (2) years.
    • Formal Administration is administration other than summary administration.
    • Wills filed upon the death of the decedent, without opening an estate
    • PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 550 W. Main St., Tavares, FL 32778
    • MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778-7800
    • MAIN PHONE: 352-742-4100

    Note: The $75,000 summary administration limit printed on this page was replaced by $150,000 in § 735.201(2) (chapter 2026-57). The page cites Section 737.402 for exempt personal property; § 735.301 refers to s. 732.402.

24. Lake County Clerk, Probate FAQs, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • (352) 742-4122
    • The will, if the decedent had one. A certified copy of the death certificate. A copy of the funeral bill, indicating if it has been paid and who paid it. A statement regarding the type of assets to be released and the company or institution currently in possession of the assets. A photo ID of the person filing the paperwork.
    • within ten days after receiving information that the testator is dead
    • This document is not deposited with the Clerk's Office.
    • MAIN PHONE: 352-742-4100
    • by calling the Probate, Guardianship, and Mental Health Section at the Clerk's office at (352) 742-4122
25. Lake County Clerk, Probate, Guardianship & Mental Health Fees, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • For the opening of any estate of one document or more, but not to include issuance of letters or orders of summary administration $231.00
    • Petitions to admit foreign wills, authenticated or exemplified copies or transcripts of record $231.00
    • Caveat or Notice of Trust $41.00
    • Disposition of personal property without administration $231.00
    • Disposition of personal property with administration (Summary Administration-less than $1000) $235.00
    • Disposition of personal property with administration (Summary Administration-$1000 or more) $345.00
    • Disposition of personal property with administration (Formal) $400.00
    • Trusts $400.00
    • Reopen Fee $50.00
    • Guardianship of Person Only $235.00
    • Guardianship of Person and Property $400.00
    • V.A. Guardianship $235.00
    • Petition for determination of incompetence $231.00
    • Filing verified inventory (Clerk's Fee) $85.00
    • Filing Annual Accounting (Estate value of $25,000 or less) $20.00
    • Lake County Clerk's Office, ATTN: Probate, P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778
26. Lake County Clerk, Probate, Guardianship & Mental Health Forms, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate Forms:
    • Consumer Pamphlet: Probate in Florida (provided by The Florida Bar)
    • Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration (PDF) This form is used to request the release of assets to the person who paid the final expenses, such as funeral bills or medical bills for the last 60 days.
    • Guardian Advocate Forms:
    • Baker Act Packet
    • Marchman Act Packet
27. Lake County Clerk, Office Locations & Hours, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 550 W. Main St., Tavares, FL 32778
    • Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
    • Services related to: Civil, Criminal, Traffic, Injunctions, Domestic Relations, Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health, Jury, Evidence, and the Executive Office
    • North Lake Branch Office 902 Avenida Central, The Villages of Lady Lake
    • Services Offered: Marriage Licenses and Passports
    • South Lake Branch Office 290 Citrus Tower Blvd., Suite 116, Clermont, FL 34711
    • Daily courier pickup of documents for recording at 9:30 a.m. View Driving Directions Services Offered: Marriage Licenses and Passports
    • Records Storage Facility 313 S. Bloxham Ave., Tavares, FL 32778
    • Recording Documents, Records Management, and Mail Receiving & Processing
    • Daily courier pickup of documents for recording at 10:30 a.m. View Driving Directions Services Offered: Marriage Licenses and Passports
28. Lake County Property Appraiser, Exemptions, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Own and occupy their Lake County home as their permanent residence as of January 1.
    • Submit an application no later than March 1 of the year you wish the exemption to begin.
    • All applications must include no less than two (2) forms of Florida residency identification
    • Florida Driver's License or ID card
    • Florida Vehicle Registration
    • Lake County Voter's Registration
    • Recorded Affidavit of Florida Resident
    • Widow/Widower Exemption
29. Lake County Property Appraiser, office page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Lake County Property Appraiser 320 West Main St. Suite A Tavares, FL 32778-3831
    • Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    • Phone (352) 253-2150
30. Florida Department of Health in Lake County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • DOH only issues certificates for deaths that occured in Florida.
    • Family members or a legal representative(s) can request copies of a death certificate.
    • Copies of death certificates listing the cause of death requires proper authorization.
    • The Florida Department of Health in Lake County has three offices to serve you.
    • Death Certificate: $12
    • Vinyl Protector: $5
    • 875 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont, FL 34711
    • 16140 US Hwy 441, Eustis, FL 32726
    • 2113 W. Griffin Road, Leesburg, FL 34748
    • Mailing Address P.O. Box 1305 Tavares, FL 32778
    • Florida Department of Health in Lake County 352-589-6424