Nassau County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk's probate page links "E-File a Case" in its Quick Links to the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. nassauclerk.com
• The court prefers that proposed orders be submitted through the portal; the circuit's instructions and a probate proposed order template for Nassau County are posted. jud4.org
• A statement of claim may be e-filed. nassauclerk.com
• Nassau County's Online Court Records Search offers public, attorney, registered user and party access. civitekflorida.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Nassau County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller, Civil Department (Probate) 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), except the $7 exemplified certificate, which matches it. The clerk's page labels the two summary administration rows "Summary Administration <$1,000" and "Summary Administration >$1,000".

Judges and divisions

4th Judicial Circuit. Serves Clay, Duval and Nassau counties (§ 26.021(4), Fla. Stat.).

Courthouses that hear probate

• Robert M. Foster Justice Center, 76347 Veterans Way, Ste 456, Yulee, FL 32097 jud4.org probate assignment

• The circuit's Nassau judges page links Probate/Guardianship Procedures with the other Nassau division procedures. jud4.org
• The circuit's Nassau judges page lists Judge Steven M. Fahlgren with the label Div-A; AO 2026-01 lists him in Division B, and AO 2026-09 assigns Division B to Judge Charbula effective April 27, 2026. jud4.org
• The Fourth Judicial Circuit serves Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. jud4.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 4th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Nassau County. Circuit order index.

• AO 2026-01, 2026 Judicial Assignments. Date: January 9, 2026 (effective January 1, 2026). Assigns circuit judges to Nassau County divisions A, B and C and marks Judge Steven Fahlgren, listed in Division B, as administrative judge; the schedule lists no probate division. AO 2026-09 later assigned Division B to Judge Meredith Charbula effective April 27, 2026. The circuit's Nassau probate procedures place probate with a senior judge.
• AO 2026-09, 2026 Updated Division Assignments. Date: May 29, 2026. Assigns Judge Meredith Charbula to Nassau County Division B effective April 27, 2026; her assistant processes Nassau probate proposed orders.
• AO 2009-4, Nassau County Examining Committee to Determine Incapacity. Date: July 2, 2009. Revises Nassau County guardianship procedures and fees and updates the list of examining committee members.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and the clerk

• The Civil Department of the clerk handles probate. Its contact number is 904-548-4606 and its mailing address is 76347 Veterans Way, Yulee, FL 32097. nassauclerk.com
• The clerk lists probate matters as wills (not filed until the death of the party), estates where assets are to be distributed, and trust proceedings in probate. Probate is not needed if all assets were jointly held and one joint holder survives. nassauclerk.com

Wills and caveats

• A will cannot be deposited with the court before the death of the person who made it. After the death, the will is deposited with the clerk of the county where the decedent lived within ten days. nassauclerk.com
• The custodian must deposit the will within 10 days after learning of the death and the clerk keeps the original for at least 20 years (§ 732.901). flsenate.gov
• A caveat lets an interested party or creditor be notified by the clerk if an administration is filed (§ 731.110). nassauclerk.com

Claims

• A statement of claim needs the file number and decedent name in the standard header, the basis for the claim, the claimant's name and address, the amount, and the original signature of the claimant or representative. Hand-delivered or mailed claims need the original and one copy. nassauclerk.com

Summary administration

• The clerk's summary administration page states a non-exempt estate under $75,000, or a decedent dead more than two years regardless of value. It lists a petition with the death certificate, the will if any, a list of assets and a proposed distribution, plus a diligent search for creditors. nassauclerk.com
• Section 735.201(2) reads $150,000 since July 1, 2026 (ch. 2026-57, s. 7), so the clerk's $75,000 figure is behind the statute. flsenate.gov

Disposition of personal property without administration

• The clerk's page lists three criteria: assets under $6,000, the filer paid final expenses (funeral bills or medical bills for the last 60 days), and those expenses are close to the value of the assets. nassauclerk.com
• The clerk's instructions: the deceased was a Nassau County resident and owned no non-homestead real property, and the filer is entitled to the distribution. Expenses must be out-of-pocket, so prepaid funeral plans and insurance-paid medical bills do not qualify. Unpaid expenses are paid to the funeral home or medical provider. Cars and household furnishings can be claimed as exempt property only by a surviving spouse or children. nassauclerk.com
• Documents at filing: the notarized verified statement, the original or certified death certificate, a copy of paperwork showing the asset, the original will if there is one, the funeral bill with a receipt showing who paid, hospital or doctor bills for the last 60 days with receipts, consents from additional heirs, and an affidavit of no marriage or children if applicable. Filing is with a deputy clerk in the Civil Department with the filing fee, and the judge signs a letter directing the institution to pay. nassauclerk.com
• The clerk's FAQ lists the will, a certified death certificate, a copy of the paid funeral bill, a statement of the assets and the institution holding them, photo ID of the filer, and the filing fee. nassauclerk.com
• Section 735.301(1) limits nonexempt personal property to the amount of preferred funeral expenses plus reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness. flsenate.gov
• Section 733.707(1)(b) caps preferred funeral expenses at $6,000 in aggregate. flsenate.gov

Probate and guardianship hearings (Senior Judge Foster)

• All Nassau probate and guardianship matters are handled by Senior Judge Robert M. Foster, who typically handles probate hearings one Monday per month. Procedures last updated May 6, 2026. jud4.org
• Hearing dates are scheduled by email to Judge Fahlgren's assistant, Ashley Strickland ([email protected]). Senior judges do not have assistants. jud4.org
• Judge Charbula's assistant, Sarah Meeks, primarily processes proposed orders submitted through the portal. jud4.org
• Judge Foster prefers Zoom hearings at the link listed in the procedures. In-person hearings are generally held in the Grand Jury Room on the third floor of the Robert M. Foster Justice Center. jud4.org

Proposed order format

• Proposed orders use the circuit's templates, are Word .docx files, include the Unified Case Number and carry DJMCA codes for the judge's signature and date. A PDF cover letter is required and the matching motion is attached behind it. jud4.org
• The circuit's Nassau County probate template is headed with the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Nassau County case caption and ends with a DJMCA signature block. jud4.org

Forms and checklists

• Probate/Guardianship Procedures for Nassau County (last updated May 6, 2026), Fourth Judicial Circuit
• Disposition of Personal Property requirements, instructions and verified statement, Nassau County Clerk
• Clerk's probate forms list (Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address; Disposition of Personal Property), Nassau County Clerk
• Probate proposed order template (Nassau), Fourth Judicial Circuit
• Proposed orders eFiling instructions and templates, Fourth Judicial Circuit
• Procedures for submitting a proposed order, Fourth Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• Homestead exemption: the owner must have legal or equitable title and occupy the property as a permanent residence as of January 1 of the filing year. Applications for tax year 2027 are open and can be filed through March 1, 2027. ncpafl.com
• For property held in a trust, the appraiser asks for the trust's title page, succession of trustees section, section on homestead and signature page. ncpafl.com
• An owner who already has homestead exemption and wants an additional exemption such as widow or widower or disabled veteran applies at an office. ncpafl.com
• Offices: the Yulee government complex at 96135 Nassau Place, Suite #4 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 5:00), Callahan at 45401 Mickler Street, and the Historic Courthouse at 416 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach (Wednesday only). The phone is (904) 491-7300. ncpafl.com

Death certificates

• Death certificates are available for deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present. Earlier deaths go to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville or VitalChek. nassau.floridahealth.gov
• A copy of a valid driver's license, passport, state-issued ID or military ID goes with every request, and cause of death is released to a family member or legal representative. The fee is $15. nassau.floridahealth.gov
• The Fernandina Beach main office at 1620 Nectarine St. issues birth and death certificates Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. nassau.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• Nassau County's Online Court Records Search is the clerk's public court record search. civitekflorida.com

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

   • but not to include issuance of letters or order of summary administration .......... $230
   • 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
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at $1,000 or more .......... $340
   • Fee for summary administration - 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.
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. Florida Statutes § 735.301, disposition without administration (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • 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
6. Florida Statutes § 731.110, caveat (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Any interested person who is apprehensive that an estate, either testate or intestate, will be administered or that a will may be admitted to probate without that person's knowledge may file a caveat with the court.
7. Florida Statutes § 733.707, order of payment of expenses and obligations (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Reasonable funeral, interment, and grave marker expenses, whether paid by a guardian, the personal representative, or any other person, not to exceed the aggregate of $6,000.
   • Reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness of the decedent
8. Florida Statutes § 26.021, judicial circuits (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The fourth circuit is composed of Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties.
9. Fourth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Serving Clay, Duval & Nassau Counties
   • Nassau County Visit Website 76347 Veterans Way, Ste 456, Yulee, FL 32097
10. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • You may search the full text of the administrative orders by using the 'Keyword' search field.
11. Nassau County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller, Probate, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate is a legal process through which the assets of a deceased person are properly distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries.
    • Probate is not needed if all assets were jointly held and one of the joint holders is the survivor.
    • Probate matters include: Wills (not filed until the death of the party) Estates (when there are assets to be distributed) Trust Proceedings in Probate
    • Summary Administration may be filed when the value of the entire estate does not exceed $75,000
    • Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration is filed to request release of assets to the person who paid the final expenses, such as funeral bills or medical bills for the last 60 days.
    • The value of the assets is less than $6,000 You paid the final expenses, such as funeral bills or medical bills for the last 60 days; and These expenses are close to the value of the assets
    • Requirements: The will, if the decedent had one. A certified copy of the death certificate. A copy of the paid funeral bill. 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. Filing fee.
    • Please understand that a will cannot be accepted for deposit with the court before the death of the person who makes out the will.
    • Clerk Civil Division Contact Number: 904-548-4606 Clerk Civil Division Mailing Address: 76347 Veterans Way, Yulee, FL 32097
    • Yulee Office (Full Service) 76347 Veterans Way Yulee, FL 32097 Phone: 904-548-4600 Fernandina Beach Office 416 Centre Street Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Phone: 904-491-6430
    • E-File a Case
12. Nassau County Clerk, News Flash: Historic Courthouse Office Reopens (May 28, 2026), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Posted on May 28, 2026
    • Staff will be available on Thursdays from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, closing for lunch between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.
    • wills may be deposited
    • Yulee office, which remains open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm.
    • Yulee Office (Full Service) 76347 Veterans Way Yulee, FL 32097
    • Fernandina Beach Office 416 Centre Street Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
13. Nassau County Clerk, Summary Administration, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Estate Value: The non-exempt property in the estate must be less than $75,000.
    • Time of Death: If the decedent has been dead for more than two years, summary administration may be used regardless of the estate
    • Exempt Property: Homestead property and other exempt assets are excluded from the $75,000 limit.
    • Required Documentation: The petition must include the death certificate, the will (if any), a list of assets, and a proposed plan of distribution.
    • Creditor Search: A diligent search for creditors must be conducted, and they must be paid.
14. Nassau County Clerk, FAQs, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Within ten days after death, the will should be deposited with the Clerk of Court in the county where the decedent was living on the day she or he died.
    • A statement of claim does not have to be filed on any particular form, but it must include all of the following:
    • The standard header with the Probate file number and the name of the decedent
    • The basis for the claim
    • The name and address of the claimant
    • The amount of the claim
    • The original signature of the claimant or the representative of the claimant
    • if you submit the claim by hand-delivery or mail, you'll need to include the original and one copy. Statements of claim may also be e-filed.
    • Any creditor or interested party of an estate may file a Caveat, in accordance with Florida Statute 731.110.
15. Nassau County Clerk, Clerk's Fee Schedule, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Summary Administration <$1,000 $235
    • Summary Administration >$1,000 $345
    • Formal Administration $400 Ancillary Administration $400 Curatorship $400
    • Petition To Determine Heirs / Safety Deposit Box $231
    • Disposition Of Personal Property $231
    • Foreign Will $231
    • Caveat / Notice Of Trust $41
    • Petition To Settle Minor's Claim $231
    • Signing Of Oath Of Witness To Will $3.50
    • Guardianship (Person & Property) $400
    • Guardianship (Person Only) $235
    • Guardianship (Veteran's) $235
    • Petition To Determine Incapacity $231
    • Reopen Fee $50
    • Searching Of Records, Per Year $2
    • Certifying Copies Per Document $2
    • Exemplified Certificates, Including Signing/Sealing $7

    Note: The two summary administration labels contain the symbols < and >. scripts/verify-county-facts.mjs turns &lt; and &gt; into spaces, so it cannot match those two quotes; the labels were checked in the page HTML on 2026-10-16.

16. Nassau County Clerk, Disposition of Personal Property requirements and form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION
    • A person cannot profit from this type of proceeding.
    • 1. Deceased must be a resident of Nassau County.
    • 2. Deceased cannot own any non-homestead real property.
    • 5. Any expenses paid must be out-of-pocket funds. This means that pre-paid funeral plans and medical bills paid by insurance do not qualify.
    • 7. If the funeral bill or other qualifying expense is unpaid, the asset will be distributed to the funeral home or medical provider.
    • 8. Cars and household furnishings can only be claimed as exempt property by a surviving spouse or children of the deceased.
    • The forms may be sworn to before a deputy clerk or a notary public.
    • file all documents with a deputy clerk in the Civil Department, along with the filing fee.
    • 1. Verified Statement for Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration
    • 2. Original or Certified Copy of the Death Certificate.
    • 4. Original Will
    • 5. Copy of the funeral bill showing total amount due and, if paid, receipt showing who paid the bill.
    • 6. Copies of the hospital or doctor bills that pertain to the last 60 days prior to death and, if paid, receipt showing who paid.
    • 8. An Affidavit stating that the deceased was never married and did not have children, if applicable.
    • Filing Fee: $231.00 (or current filing fee), payable to Nassau County Clerk of Court.
    • Form Date: October 31, 2011

    Note: The form is dated October 31, 2011.

17. Nassau County Clerk, Documents & Forms, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate Forms Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address Disposition of Personal Property (PDF)
18. Nassau County OCRS, Online Court Records Search, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Nassau County OCRS Online Court Records Search
19. 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.
20. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Probate/Guardianship Procedures for Nassau County, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • PROBATE/GUARDIANSHIP PROCEDURES FOR NASSAU COUNTY
    • All probate and guardianship matters are handled by Senior Judge Robert M. Foster. Judge Foster typically handles probate hearings one Monday per month.
    • It is the Court's preference that proposed orders be submitted via the e-portal.
    • Senior Judges do not have assistants.
    • Sarah Meeks, Judge Charbula's assistant, will primarily handle the processing of proposed orders (via the portal).
    • Ashley Strickland, Judge Fahlgren's assistant, will primarily handle the scheduling of hearings.
    • To secure a hearing date, please email Ashley Strickland at [email protected].
    • Judge Foster's preference is that hearings be conducted via Zoom at the link listed below.
    • In-person hearings are generally held in the Grand Jury Room on the third floor of the Robert M. Foster Justice Center.
    • Last updated 5/6/26
21. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Nassau Judges and procedures, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate/Guardianship Procedures Zoom Addendum for Civil and Family Hearings
    • Judge Lester Bass Ex Parte Dates and Zoom Information
    • Judge Steven M Fahlgren Div-A Procedures
22. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Proposed Orders eFiling, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Proposed Order Templates for Nassau County: County Family Circuit Juvenile Probate Guardianship
    • Failure to follow these procedures will result in your submission being returned without docketing.
    • The portal will also require a cover letter/copy of motion in PDF format that should be combined as a single PDF document.
23. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Probate proposed order template (Nassau), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA
    • DONE AND ORDERED in Chamber, Nassau County, Florida on DDDD.
24. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Procedures for Submitting a Proposed Order, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Procedures for Submitting a Proposed Order in the Fourth Circuit
    • Proposed Orders MUST be submitted in Microsoft Word .docx format (Word 2016 or newer).
    • A Cover Letter is also REQUIRED.
    • The corresponding Motion MUST be filed along with the Proposed Order and Cover Letter.
    • Proposed Orders in the Fourth Circuit MUST include DJMCA formatting.
    • All Proposed Orders MUST include the Unified Case Number (UCN).
25. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2026-01, 2026 Judicial Assignments, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2026-01
    • 2026 JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS
    • NASSAU COUNTY
    • A Marianne Aho***
    • B Steven Fahlgren*
    • C Lester Bass
    • *Administrative Judge

    Note: Scanned order with no text layer. The schedule was read from the page image on 2026-10-16. The schedule lists no probate division for Nassau County.

26. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2026-09, 2026 Updated Division Assignments, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2026-09
    • 2026 UPDATED DIVISION ASSIGNMENTS
    • NASSAU COUNTY
    • B Judge Meredith Charbula
    • April 27, 2026

    Note: Scanned order with no text layer. The text was read from the page image on 2026-10-16.

27. Fourth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 2009-4, Nassau County Examining Committee, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN AND FOR NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA
    • be revised regarding certain procedures and fees applicable to Guardianship cases
28. Nassau County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • (904) 491-7300
29. Nassau County Property Appraiser, Homestead Exemption - File for Homestead, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Applications for tax year 2027 are now open.
    • you may file for the 2027 Homestead Exemption through March 1, 2027.
    • To qualify for Homestead Exemption (F. S. 196.031), you must have legal or equitable title to the property, as well as occupy and make the property your permanent residence as of January 1 of the filing year.
    • If your property is held in a trust, please have the following documents from the trust paperwork ready to upload: Title Page Succession of Trustees Section Regarding Homestead Signature Page
    • You already have homestead exemption and wish to apply for any additional exemptions (Widows/Widowers, Disabled Veteran, etc.)
30. Nassau County Property Appraiser, Locations & Hours, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • James S. Page Government Complex (Primary) 96135 Nassau Place, Suite #4, Yulee, FL 32097 Hours: 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday
    • Historic Courthouse 416 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hours: 8:30 - 4:30 (only open on Wednesday)
    • 45401 Mickler Street, Callahan, FL 32011 Hours: 7:30 - 4:30 Monday - Friday
31. Florida Department of Health in Nassau 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.
    • 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.
    • main office in Fernandina Beach
    • $15 Death Certificate
    • the only vendor authorized by the Florida Department of Health
    • Office of Vital Statistics 904-557-9135
32. Florida Department of Health in Nassau County, Fernandina Beach main office, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 1620 Nectarine St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
    • Birth and Death Certificates
    • Monday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.