Lee County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• Proposed orders are submitted through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal only after the motion appears on the clerk's docket. Put the case number first in the Document Title field (format 20CP123) and select Proposed Documents so the order routes to the judge. ca.cjis20.org
• The clerk's Disposition of Personal Property without Administration packet names the E-Filing Portal as the preferred way to file. leeclerk.org
• Wills cannot be e-filed. A will goes to the clerk in person at the Justice Center, 2nd Floor, or by mail to P.O. Box 9346. leeclerk.org
• The Court Records Inquiry System shows certain court records to the public under Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC24-65; registered users download copies and order certified documents there. matrix.leeclerk.org

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Lee County Clerk of Court, Probate, Guardianship and Mental Health fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. Lee posts most fees that have a § 28.2401 amount $1 above that amount (plus the $4 petition charge where § 28.2401(3) applies): opening $231 against $230, caveat $41 against $40, summary $345 and $235 against $340 and $230 plus $4, formal $400 against $395 plus $4. The Veterans Administration guardianship row is the exception: $235 against the § 28.2401(1)(i) cap of $230, which is $5 above the cap; the fee schedule states no basis for the difference. The $7 exemplified certificate matches its cap.

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

• Lee County Justice Center, Justice Center Proper, 1700 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901; Justice Center Tower and Annex, 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901; (239) 533-9197; Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ca.cjis20.org probate assignment

• Lee County circuit judges list their Probate share on their circuit profile pages. The Judge J. Frank Porter profile lists Probate "P(7)" at 50%. ca.cjis20.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 20th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Lee County. Circuit order index.

• AO 20.28, Temporary Assignment Order for Judge William K. Dorman, III. Date: Effective July 21, 2026. Assigns Judge William K. Dorman III to temporary service, as needed, in the Circuit and County Courts of Lee County.
• AO 20.29, Temporary Assignment Order for Judge Michael Powell. Date: Effective October 8, 2026. Assigns Judge Michael Powell to temporary service, as needed, in the County Court of Lee County.
• 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.

Local requirements and forms

Checklists and orders

• Lee County probate has no formal case management. Orders are submitted directly to the assigned judge through the E-Filing Portal. ca.cjis20.org
• Mandatory checklists are filed with the clerk before or together with the Petition for Formal Administration, the Petition for Summary Administration or the Final Discharge. A proposed order without the completed and signed checklist is deleted and not reviewed. ca.cjis20.org
• A proposed order is submitted only after its motion appears on the clerk's docket. Parties with no email address on file receive a signed copy by regular mail from the filer. ca.cjis20.org

Hearings

• Attorneys schedule civil hearings, including probate, through the Judicial Automated Calendaring System; people without an attorney use the pro se instructions the clerk links. leeclerk.org

Filing and counsel

• The clerk states that a formal administration must be filed by a Florida attorney unless the personal representative is the sole beneficiary. leeclerk.org

Wills

• The custodian of a will deposits the original with the clerk within 10 days after learning of the death and supplies the date of death; the clerk accepts wills in person at the Justice Center or by mail. leeclerk.org
• A will filed for safekeeping in the wrong county is retrieved by a new, separate probate action that includes the original case number and the mailing address of the clerk who should receive it. leeclerk.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

Disposition without administration

• The clerk's packet requires a $231.00 filing fee, a verified statement, a certified death certificate, the paid funeral bill, 60 days of medical expenses with receipts, and proof of the assets to be distributed. leeclerk.org
• The decedent must have been a Lee County resident and must not own real estate in Florida or elsewhere; the petitioner swears to the second fact. The clerk may witness the signature in place of a notary for $10.00. leeclerk.org

Confidential information

• A filing that contains confidential information carries a Notice of Confidential Information so the clerk redacts the items named in Rule 2.420. leeclerk.org

Claims

• The clerk posts a Statement of Claim form for the Lee County probate division. leeclerk.org

Forms and checklists

• Disposition of Personal Property without Administration Packet (rev. April 22, 2024), Lee County Clerk
• Statement of Claim, Lee County Clerk
• Cover sheet for a will submitted for safekeeping, Lee County Clerk
• Circuit Probate Information page with the Lee formal administration, summary administration and discharge checklists, Twentieth Judicial Circuit
• Instructions for submitting proposed orders electronically in Lee County, Twentieth Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• A homestead exemption needs legal title or a beneficial interest and permanent residence as of January 1, and an application by March 1. The appraiser takes applications online. leepa.org
• The widow's or widower's exemption is $5,000. leepa.org
• The appraiser's office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at 2480 Thompson Street, 4th Floor. leepa.org
• The appraiser answers homestead and exemption questions at [email protected]. leepa.org

Death certificates

• Death certificates are ordered through VitalChek, the only vendor the Department of Health authorizes online, or in person or by mail at the Pondella clinic. lee.floridahealth.gov
• The Lee County office issues certified copies for deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present. Earlier deaths come from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville or VitalChek. Cause of death is released to a family member or legal representative with valid identification. lee.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. leeclerk.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 takes probate, Baker Act and Marchman Act questions at [email protected] and guardianship and incapacity questions at [email protected]. leeclerk.org
• Circuit probate pages for self-represented people include instructions, a designation of email address, a notice of change of address and a request to be excused from email service. ca.cjis20.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 § 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
4. 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
5. 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.
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. 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.
8. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Court Schedules
   • Lee County
   • Charlotte County
   • Collier County
   • Glades County
   • Hendry County
9. 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:
   • There is no formal case management for Probate cases, orders are submitted directly to the assigned judge via the e-portal system.
   • mandatory checklists must be filed with the Clerk of Court either prior to or simultaneously with submission of the corresponding Petition for Formal Administration, Petition for Summary Administration or Final Discharge.
   • Failure to file the appropriate completed and signed checklist will result in proposed orders being deleted and not processed for review by the Court.
   • Lee County Petition for Formal Administration Checklist
   • Lee County Petition for Summary Administration Checklist
   • Lee County Petition for Discharge Checklist
   • Instructions for Party not Represented by an Attorney
   • Designation of Email Address
   • Request to be Excused from E-Mail Service
10. 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 Lee County, Florida - effective July 21, 2026
    • Temporary Assignment Order for Judge Michael Powell - appointed and assigned to temporary service, as may be needed, to the County Court of Lee County, Florida - effective October 8, 2026
11. 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
12. 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.

13. 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
14. 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
15. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Lee County Justice Center, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • East Entrance Justice Center Proper 1700 Monroe Street Fort Myers, FL 33901
    • South Entrance Justice Center Tower 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33901
    • Information Desk Phone: (239) 533-9197 x0
    • Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 5pm
16. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Submitting orders electronically (Lee County), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Proposed Orders should now be submitted via the e-filing portal
    • The Motion will need to appear on the Clerk's docket, before the order can be considered.
    • please put the case number first in the "Document Title" field
    • be sure to select "Proposed Documents"
    • you will be responsible for sending them a signed copy by regular mail
17. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge James Shenko profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • General Civil - "G" 16.7% Guardianship - "M(1)" 16.7% Probate - "P(1)" 8.33%
18. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge Alane Laboda profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • General Civil - "H" 16.7% Guardianship - "M(2)" 16.7% Probate - "P(2)" 8.33%
19. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge Rachael Loukonen profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • General Civil - "I" 16.7% Guardianship - "M(3)" 16.7% Probate - "P(3)" 8.33%
20. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge Keith R. Kyle profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • General Civil - "T" 16.7% Guardianship - "M(5)" 16.7% Probate - "P(5)" 8.33%
21. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge Michael T. McHugh profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate - "P (6)" 8.33%
22. Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Judge J. Frank Porter profile, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Division Lee County Probate - "P(7)" 50%
23. Lee County Clerk, Probate page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate is a legal process through which the assets of a deceased person are inventoried and distributed to pay creditors' claims against the estate.
    • A formal administration MUST be filed by an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida, unless the personal representative is the sole beneficiary.
    • This type of proceeding may be filed when the value of the entire estate does not exceed $75,000 or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years. If the decedent has been deceased for less than two years, a copy of the funeral bill is required.
    • FILING FEE: Submit a $231.00 filing fee payable by credit card, money order, cashier's check or business check (payable to: Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court) or cash
    • Visit Lee County Clerk of Court, 2075 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 2nd Floor, Fort Myers, FL 33901
    • Mail: Clerk of Court, PO BOX 9346, Fort Myers, FL 33902
    • Electronic Filing (ePortal): www.myflcourtaccess.com
    • Per Florida Statute 732.901 - The custodian of a Will must deposit the original Will with the Clerk of the Court having venue of the estate of the decedent within 10 days after receiving information that the decedent has passed. The custodian must supply the decedent’s date of death to the Clerk of Court upon deposit.
    • **Note: Wills cannot be efiled.
    • If a Will has been mistakenly filed in the wrong county, a new, separate probate action must be initiated to request its return.
    • Florida certified death record copies for deaths occurring in 2009 to the present may be obtained at the Florida Department of Health Lee County Vital Statistics office or ordered online through VitalChek
    • Statement of Claim
    • Disposition of Personal Property without Administration Packet
24. Lee County Clerk, Contact Information and Hours, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Call Center Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
    • Lobby Hours: Open until 5:00 p.m.
    • Probate/Guardianship/Mental Health Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9346, Fort Myers, FL 33902 Phone: 239-533-5000, option 5 Call Center Hours - Monday through Friday - 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Location: Justice Center, 2nd Floor 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Fort Myers, FL 33901
    • Guardianship and Incapacity Cases, email [email protected]
    • Probate, Baker Act, and Marchman Cases, email [email protected]
25. Lee County Clerk, Fees and Costs, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Opening any estate (one or more documents), including but not limited to:
    • (Does not include issuance of letters or order of summary administration) $231.00
    • Caveat and Notice of Trust $41.00
    • Petition for order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies, or transcript to record $231.00
    • Disposition of personal property without administration $231.00
    • Summary Administration Estates valued less than $1,000.00 $235.00 Estates valued at $1,000.00 or more $345.00
    • Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, conservatorship, or Trust proceedings $400.00
    • Guardianship Proceeding of Person Only $235.00
    • Petition to Determine Incapacity $231.00
    • Restoration of Capacity $50.00
    • Veterans Administration Guardianship (Ch. 293, 294, and 744) $235.00
    • Exemplified Certificates $7.00
    • Reopen Cases (Each Occurrence) $50.00
    • E-Certification per Court Document $2.00 statutory fee + $6.00 Clerk E-Certify fee
26. Lee County Clerk, Judicial Calendaring, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The Lee County Judiciary provides attorneys access to the Judicial Automated Calendaring System to schedule civil court hearings.
    • If you are not an attorney, and need to schedule a civil court hearing, please reference the Instructions for Pro-Se Litigants Scheduling Hearings in Civil Court
27. Lee County Clerk, Disposition of Personal Property without Administration Packet (rev. 4/22/2024), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Rev: 4 / 22 / 2024
    • FILING FEE: Submit a $231.00 filing fee
    • Online through the ePortal: www.myflcourtaccess.com (preferred method)
    • The decedent must have been a resident of Lee County, Florida at time of death.
    • The decedent must NOT own any real estate, either in Florida or any other state or country.
    • A certified copy of the Death Certificate.
    • A copy of the paid funeral bill identifying who made the payment.
    • The Clerk may witness your signature instead of a Notary Public. There is a $10.00 fee for this service.
    • the filer must file a Notice of Confidential Information within Court Filing.
    • Submit the completed Order (included in packet) for the Judge's signature
28. Lee County Clerk, Coversheet for a will submitted for safekeeping, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Last Will & Testament Filed for Safekeeping
    • Fort Myers, FL. 33901
    • Attn: Probate 2nd Floor
29. Lee County Clerk, Statement of Claim form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • STATEMENT OF CLAIM
    • LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
30. Lee County Clerk, Court Records Inquiry, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Welcome to the Lee County Court Records Search website. This website offers public viewing of certain court records, pursuant to Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC24-65.
31. Lee County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Homestead Exemption Online Filing
    • Property Tax Exemptions
32. Lee County Property Appraiser, Homestead and Other Exemption Information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The State’s deadline to apply for exemptions is March 1.
    • You must have legal title or a beneficial interest in real property as of January 1.
    • The property must be your permanent residence as of January 1.
    • Exemption applications must be submitted by March 1st of the year in which you qualify to be considered timely filed.
    • $5,000* Widow/Widower Exemption
33. Lee County Property Appraiser, Location and Hours, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Physical Address 2480 Thompson Street 4th Floor Fort Myers, FL 33901
    • Main Line: (239) 533-6100
    • Office Hours 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
34. Lee County Property Appraiser, Contact Us, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Melvin Morgan Constitutional Complex 2480 Thompson St, 4th floor Fort Myers, Florida 33901
    • [email protected]
35. Florida Department of Health in Lee County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Order death certificates online through VitalChek
    • The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is able to issue certified copies of death certificates for any death in the state of Florida from 2009 to the present.
    • Any death prior to 2009 must be requested from the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville
    • A 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 cause of death.
    • $11 Death Certificate
    • $11 Additional Certificates
    • $10 Rush Fee
    • Vital Statistics 239-332-9572 Address 83 Pondella Road North Fort Myers, FL 33903 Office Hours 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
36. Twentieth Circuit AO 20.28, Temporary Assignment Order for Judge William K. Dorman III (Lee County), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 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 Lee County, Florida - effective July 21, 2026

    Note: No text layer in the PDF. The wording quoted here is the order's row on the circuit Administrative Orders index.

37. Twentieth Circuit AO 20.29, Temporary Assignment Order for Judge Michael Powell (Lee County), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Temporary Assignment Order for Judge Michael Powell - appointed and assigned to temporary service, as may be needed, to the County Court of Lee County, Florida - effective October 8, 2026

    Note: No text layer in the PDF. The wording quoted here is the order's row on the circuit Administrative Orders index.