Pasco County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• New estate and guardianship cases, incapacity cases, and interim and closing pleadings filed as new cases must be filed electronically in Pasco County. pascoclerk.com
• Administrative Order 2023-040 PA-CIR requires attorneys to e-file pleadings and papers in all divisions through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, not by email. Wills (including codicils) and separate writings placed on deposit may be scanned and filed electronically, but the original goes to the clerk. jud6.org
• Unrepresented litigants are not required to e-file, and the clerk accepts their paper filings; they may opt in to the portal. jud6.org
• The clerk's e-filing page says original documents such as death certificates, and documents with original signatures such as affidavits, deeds, mortgages and wills, must be filed manually. pascoclerk.com
• Judge Linda Babb's Section I accepts orders uploaded in JAWS; the clerk reviews the documents before they go to the judge. jud6.org
• Judge Dustin Anderson's Section J asks that documents be e-filed and posted on the docket before the court acts. jud6.org

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. Each posted probate fee that has a § 28.2401 amount is $1 above that amount (plus the $4 petition charge where § 28.2401(3) applies). The page also lists Trust administration at $400 and Notice of trust at $41, which § 28.2401(1) does not list, and says all fees are subject to legislative changes.

Judges and divisions

6th Judicial Circuit. Serves Pasco and Pinellas counties (§ 26.021(6), Florida Statutes).

Courthouses that hear probate

• West Pasco Judicial Center (Probate Section J, Judge Anderson), 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654 jud6.org probate assignment
• Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center (Probate Section I, Judge Babb), 38053 Live Oak Ave, Dade City, FL 33523 jud6.org probate assignment

• Section 26.021 composes the sixth judicial circuit of Pasco and Pinellas Counties. flsenate.gov
• The circuit's probate and guardianship administrative order list includes order 2025-035 (Pinellas probate case assignment), orders 2023-040 and 2023-038 (electronic filing in Pasco and Pinellas), order 2024-025 (guardianship) and order 2022-017 (case files in Pasco). jud6.org
• Administrative order 2026-015 is the Pasco circuit judicial assignments order effective June 1, 2026. jud6.org
• Judge Linda Babb sits in the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center, Dade City, Room 106D (sections 5, 6, 28, 29, A, I and UF). jud6.org
• Judge Dustin Anderson sits in the West Pasco Judicial Center, New Port Richey, Room 215 (sections C2, J and Q3). jud6.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 6th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Pasco County. Circuit order index.

• AO 2026-015 PA-CIR (corrected), Pasco Circuit Court Judicial Assignments. Date: Signed May 18, 2026; effective June 1, 2026. Assigns Section I (Judge Babb, East Pasco) and Section J (Judge Anderson, West Pasco) to guardianship, estates and all other probate cases.
• AO 2023-040 PA-CIR, Electronic Filing in Pasco County. Date: Signed November 9, 2023. Requires attorneys to e-file in all divisions through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; wills on deposit are filed electronically with the original delivered to the clerk.
• AO 2022-017 PA-CIR, Case Files in Pasco County. Date: Signed March 28, 2022. Ends the clerk's duty to keep paper case files in new cases except for a listed set of initial proceedings (none of them an estate petition).
• AO 2024-025 PA/PI-CIR, Guardianship and Guardian Advocate Procedures. Date: Signed August 1, 2024. Sets background-check, application and oath requirements for proposed and appointed guardians in Pasco and Pinellas.
• AO 2026-006 PA/PI-CIR, Mental Health, Confidentiality of Guardianship Examining Committee Reports and Guardian Ad Litem Reports. Date: Signed February 3, 2026. Governs confidentiality of guardianship examining committee reports and guardian ad litem reports.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and venue

• Every personal representative, unless the sole interested person, must be represented by a Florida attorney under Florida Probate Rule 5.030 (cited by the clerk). pascoclerk.com
• The Sixth Circuit's Local Rule 1 assigns estates, guardianships, incapacity cases, Chapter 393, Baker Act and Marchman Act cases, Probate Rules proceedings and trust administration to the Probate and Guardianship Division. Local Rule 3 assigns cases to sections by blind random assignment unless an administrative order says otherwise. jud6.org
• The clerk provides a Case Section/Division Lookup tool among its court record search tools. pascoclerk.com
• The Pasco probate sections are East Pasco Section I (Judge Babb) and West Pasco Section J (Judge Anderson) under AO 2026-015. jud6.org
• Judge Babb's practice preferences list probate and guardianship for both East and West Pasco. jud6.org

Wills

• The custodian must deposit a will with the clerk in the county where the decedent resided within 10 days after learning of the death, giving the date of death or Social Security number. The clerk charges no fee to deposit a will. pascoclerk.com
• Wills are not placed on deposit before a person's death. pascoclerk.com
• Section 732.901 sets the 10-day deposit duty and a 20-year minimum retention period for the original will. flsenate.gov
• Following The Florida Bar v. David Edward Olson (2008), the clerk holds certain original wills for safekeeping when the deposit information required by § 732.901(1) is missing. pascoclerk.com
• The clerk offers a Wills on Deposit search by name; the online data is not the official record. pascoclerk.com

Petitions

• Formal administration checklist (clerk): if a trust is a beneficiary, show the date of the trust under beneficiaries as "Revocable Trust dated" with the date; give proof of residence (driver's license, state identification card or homestead exemption) when the death certificate shows a different residence; give temporary proof of death (obituary or affidavit) until a death certificate is available. pascoclerk.com
• Formal administration checklist (clerk): separate liquid and real property so the court can set the bond on the liquid assets, and put the local agency's name, address and phone number on the face of the bond. pascoclerk.com
• Summary administration checklist (clerk): designate homestead and exempt property separately in the asset list. The checklist prints $75,000; § 735.201(2) reads $150,000. pascoclerk.com
• Petition to determine homestead checklist (clerk): include proof of publication of the Notice to Creditors. pascoclerk.com
• Petition for discharge checklist (clerk): file the certified death certificate of the decedent. pascoclerk.com
• A petition to extend time for the final accounting and petition for discharge has its own clerk checklist (Rule 5.400(c)). pascoclerk.com
• Disposition of personal property without administration: the clerk's list asks for the completed verified statement, a certified death certificate, funeral and last-60-day medical bills, the original will, proof of the assets, the $231 fee, a self-stamped envelope, and lists additional fees of $7 for document preparation, $3 for a certified court order and $3.50 for an oath. The clerk's text cites $20,000 of household furnishings and preferred funeral expenses up to $6,000. pascoclerk.com

Hearings and timing

• Judge Anderson (Section J): hearings are requested by email, motions must be e-filed and served before a hearing is requested, and time is split equally between the parties. jud6.org
• Judge Babb (Section I): hearing time is requested by email with the case number and time needed; voicemail requests are not used; a notice of cancellation filed with the clerk may not reach the judge's office. jud6.org
• Uncontested administrations should finish within 12 months from Letters of Administration to final discharge, and contested ones within 24 months from filing; Judge Anderson states the clerk calculates these standards and an order to show cause follows when they run out. jud6.org

Bonds

• Judge Anderson's practice preferences set a typical minimum estate bond of $18,000, a minimum of $18,000 for every wrongful death estate, and waive bond only in exceptional circumstances. jud6.org
• Judge Anderson will consider a petition to sell property a personal representative will later claim as homestead or exempt before the creditor period ends if proceeds are held in escrow or trust until creditors are ascertained. jud6.org

Summary administration

• Judge Anderson: summary administrations do not contemplate hearings, and an estate with issues beyond summary relief must convert to formal administration; summary administration has no provision for objections to claims. jud6.org

Orders

• Judge Anderson will not consider proposed orders until all interested parties and counsel have had an opportunity to review them and lodge objections. jud6.org
• Judge Babb accepts orders uploaded in JAWS after clerk review, does not accept orders by email unless her judicial assistant directs it, and does not accept orders that put only the signature on the signature page. jud6.org

Records

• Certain documents within estate cases are confidential under Florida Statutes and court rules, and electronic access depends on the user's role. pascoclerk.com
• Access to electronic court records is set by the user's role under the statutes, rules and administrative policy of the Florida Supreme Court; attorneys of record can request enhanced access. pascoclerk.com

Forms and checklists

• Clerk probate and estate forms page, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Affidavit of Heirs, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Case Maintenance Reference Guide for Formal Administration, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Case Maintenance Reference Guide for Summary Administration, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Case Maintenance Reference Guide on Petition to Determine Homestead, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Case Maintenance Reference Guide on Petition for Discharge, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Case Maintenance Reference Guide for Estate Interim Extension of Time, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Disposition of Personal Property without Administration (verified statement), Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Disposition of Personal Property without Administration requirements, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Statement of Claim (estate), Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Department of Children and Families background check release, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
• Practice preferences, Judge Babb (Section I), Sixth Judicial Circuit
• Practice preferences, Judge Anderson (Section J), Sixth Judicial Circuit
• Local Rules 1 and 3, Sixth Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• The Pasco Property Appraiser requires the property to be the owner's permanent residence on January 1; the filing deadline is March 1, and approved homestead exemptions renew each year unless status changes. pascopa.com
• A homestead held in a trust cannot be applied for online. For this and other circumstances, visit one of the three offices or call customer service for guidance. pascopa.com
• The $5,000 widow and widower exemption requires a permanent Florida resident, a death certificate at application, and ends on remarriage (2024 brochure). pascopa.com
• The Property Appraiser's offices in Dade City, Land O' Lakes and New Port Richey are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; mail goes to P.O. Box 401, Dade City, FL 33526. pascopa.com

Death certificates

• Death certificates cover deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present; earlier deaths go to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Cause of death is released to family members and legal representatives. pasco.floridahealth.gov
• Requests need a legible copy of valid photo identification and a completed Death Certificate Application Form; the fee listed is $10 per certificate plus $10 shipping. pasco.floridahealth.gov
• The Summit Professional office, 7509 State Road 52, Hudson, handles birth and death certificates; phone 727-619-0300. pasco.floridahealth.gov
• The Dade City office, 13941 15th St., handles birth and death certificates; phone 727-619-0300. pasco.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• The clerk's guardianship fees page lists guardianship of the person only and Veterans Administration guardianship at $235, guardianship of the property only and of the person and property (ancillary) at $400, and a petition for determination of incapacity at $231. pascoclerk.com
• The clerk's Probate/Estates page prints Suite 105 for the West Pasco Judicial Center, 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey. pascoclerk.com
• The clerk's Case Types page prints Suite 104 for the West Pasco Judicial Center, 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey. pascoclerk.com
• The clerk's Case Types page prints $75,000 as the summary administration limit, the figure that chapter 2026-57 replaced with $150,000 in § 735.201(2). pascoclerk.com
• Section 735.201(2) in the 2026 Florida Statutes reads $150,000, as amended by chapter 2026-57. flsenate.gov
• Chapter 2026-57 amended § 735.201(2) and 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 § 26.021, judicial circuits (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The state is divided into 20 judicial circuits
   • (6) The sixth circuit is composed of Pasco and Pinellas Counties.
2. 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
   • Fee for veterans' guardianship pursuant to chapter 744 .......... $230
   • 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.
   • 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.
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. Pasco Clerk, Probate/Estates, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Every personal representative, unless the personal representative remains the sole interested person, shall be represented by an attorney admitted to practice in the State of Florida, pursuant to Florida Probate Rule 5.030
   • Wills may be placed on deposit after a person has died. In the State of Florida, wills are not placed on deposit prior to a person's death.
   • Certain documents within estate cases are marked as confidential pursuant to Florida Statutes and Rules of Court.
   • As a result of The Florida Bar v. David Edward Olson (2008), the Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court was directed to hold certain original wills for safekeeping. Such wills are of individuals believed to be deceased whose wills are not accompanied by the information required by Chapter 732.901(1), Florida Statutes for deposit with the Clerk.
   • Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center 38053 Live Oak Avenue, Suite 207 Dade City, FL 33523-3805 Phone: (352) 521-4542 West Pasco Judicial Center 7530 Little Road, Suite 105 New Port Richey, FL 34654-5598 Mailing Address P.O. Box 338 New Port Richey, FL 34656-0338 Phone: (727) 847-8031
   • Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays
9. Pasco Clerk, Probate case types, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The custodian must deposit the decedent's will with the Clerk & Comptroller's Office in the county where the decedent resided within 10 days of receiving information of the death of the maker of the will.
   • There is no fee to deposit the will with the Clerk & Comptroller's Office.
   • Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration Small Estate proceeding may be filed without the assistance of an attorney.
   • This type of administration is a probate proceeding when the value of the entire estate, less the value of property exempt from claims, does not exceed $75,000, or the decedent has been dead for more than two years and the decedent's will, if any, does not direct a formal administration.
   • Caveat -- Ch. 731, F.S. A caveat may be filed with the Clerk & Comptroller by a creditor or an interested person to prevent either probate of a will or administration of an estate without notice.
   • Notice of Trust - Ch. 736, F.S. A Notice of Trust is filed with the Clerk & Comptroller upon the death of a settlor of a trust.
   • Trust cases in the Probate Division usually are opened to appoint a Successor Trustee on an existing trust or to dissolve an existing trust.
   • West Pasco Judicial Center 7530 Little Road, Suite 104

   Note: The $75,000 summary administration limit printed on this page was replaced by $150,000 in § 735.201(2) (chapter 2026-57, effective July 1, 2026). This page and the Probate/Estates page print different suite numbers for the West Pasco Judicial Center (104 and 105).

10. Pasco Clerk, Probate Electronic Filing, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The following case types are required to be filed electronically in Pasco County: New estate and guardianship cases Incapacity cases Interim and closing pleadings that were filed as new cases
11. Pasco Clerk, Probate/Estate Fees & Costs, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Caveat $41 Disposition of personal property without administration, small estate $231 Formal administration $400 Miscellaneous one-document filing $231 Notice of trust $41 Petition for curatorship/conservatorship $400 Petition to enter rooms and places $231 Petition to admit foreign will, authenticated copies, exemplified copies, or transcript to record $231 Petition to approve settlement of minor's claim $231 Petition to determine heirs if not formal administration (not to include the issuance of letters or Order of Summary Administration) $231 Petition to open safe/deposit box $231 Summary administration - estates valued at less than $1,000 $235 Summary administration - estates valued at $1,000 or more $345 Trust administration $400
    • Certifying copy of any instrument in Public Records (per document) $2
    • Oath (administering, attesting, and sealing not otherwise provided for) $3.50
    • Photocopies of instruments not more than 14 inches-by-8.5 inches (per page) $1
    • All fees are subject to legislative changes.
12. Pasco Clerk, Guardianship Fees & Costs, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Guardianship - Veterans Administration $235 Guardianship of Person Only $235 Guardianship of Person/Property Ancillary $400 Guardianship of Property Only $400 Miscellaneous One Document Filing $231 Petition for Conservatorship/Curatorship $400 Petition for Determination of Incapacity $231
    • Audit Fee of Annual Financial Return - $25,000 or less $20 Audit Fee of Annual Financial Return - More than $25,000 up to including $100,000 $85 Audit Fee of Annual Financial Return - More than $100,001 up to and including $500,000 $170 Audit Fee of Annual Financial Return - Excess of $500,000 $250 Audit of Verified Inventory - Value of ward's property exceeds $25,000 $85
13. Pasco Clerk, Office Locations & Hours, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Office hours for the Office of Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Clerk & Comptroller, are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
    • Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center 38053 Live Oak Avenue Dade City, FL 33523
    • West Pasco Judicial Center 7530 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654
    • Mailing Address Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Esq. Clerk & Comptroller P.O. Box 338 New Port Richey, FL 34656-0338
14. Pasco Clerk, Electronic Filing of Court Documents, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Pursuant to Section 5.3, Florida Supreme Court Standards for Electronic Access to the Courts, original documents such as death certificates, or those containing original signatures such as affidavits, deeds, mortgages, and wills, must be filed manually until further standards are adopted

    Note: The page is marked as updated June 23, 2021 for its list of case areas; it does not list probate among them.

15. Pasco Clerk, Search Court Records, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Access to electronic court records is determined by the user's role and applicable statutes, rules, and administrative policy as prescribed by the Florida Supreme Court.
    • Wills on Deposit Search by Name
    • Case Section/Division Lookup
16. Pasco Clerk, Wills on Deposit Search by Name, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Wills on Deposit - Search by Name
    • While the Clerk & Comptroller has attempted to preserve the accuracy of the online version of these records, they are not the official record and should not be relied upon for any type of legal action .
17. Pasco Clerk, Probate/Estates forms, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Affidavit of Heirs Case Maintenance Reference Guide for Estate Interim Extension of Time Case Maintenance Reference Guide for Formal Administration Case Maintenance Reference Guide for Summary Administration Case Maintenance Reference Guide on Petition to Determine Homestead Case Maintenance Reference Guide on Petition for Discharge Department of Children and Family Services Release Form Disposition of Personal Property without Administration Disposition of Personal Property without Administration Requirements Statement of Claim - Estate
18. Pasco Clerk, Affidavit of Heirs (form), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRS
    • IN THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA
19. Pasco Clerk, Case Maintenance Reference Guide for Formal Administration, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • CASE MAINTENANCE REFERENCE GUIDE FOR FORMAL ADMINISTRATION
    • Court requirement: If the Trust is a beneficiary, the date of the trust must be included under beneficiaries as "...Revocable Trust dated..."
    • Court requirement: if death certificate reflects incorrect residence, proof of Residence is requested, ie: Driver's License, State Identification Card; homestead exemption.
    • Court requirement: temporary proof of death, i.e.: obituary, affidavit, until death certificate can be obtained.
    • Court requirement: Distinguish between liquid and real property in order for the Court to determine bond based on the amount of the liquid assets.
    • Court requirement: The local agency's name, address and phone number are required to be located on the face of the bond.
20. Pasco Clerk, Case Maintenance Reference Guide for Summary Administration, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • CASE MAINTENANCE REFERENCE GUIDE FOR SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION
    • does not exceed $75,000 or that the decedent has been dead for more than 2 years, F.S. 735.201(2).
    • Homestead and exempt property shall be separately designated

    Note: The $75,000 figure in this checklist was replaced by $150,000 in § 735.201(2) (chapter 2026-57, effective July 1, 2026).

21. Pasco Clerk, Case Maintenance Reference Guide on Petition to Determine Homestead, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • CASE MAINTENANCE REFERENCE GUIDE ON PETITION TO DETERMINE HOMESTEAD
    • Court requirement: Proof of publication of Notice to Creditors.
22. Pasco Clerk, Case Maintenance Reference Guide on Petition for Discharge, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • CASE MAINTENANCE REFERENCE GUIDE ON PETITION FOR DISCHARGE
    • Certified death certificate of the decedent, F.S. 731.103, FPR 5.205, FPR 5.171.
23. Pasco Clerk, Case Maintenance Reference Guide for Estate Interim Extension of Time, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • CASE MAINTENANCE REFERENCE GUIDE FOR ESTATE INTERIM-EXTENSION OF TIME
    • PETITION TO EXTEND TIME FOR FILING FINAL ACCOUNTING AND PETITION FOR DISCHARGE - FPR 5.400(c):
24. Pasco Clerk, Disposition of Personal Property without Administration requirements, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION
    • up to a net value of $20,000 as of the date of death
    • not to exceed the aggregate amount of $6,000
    • Certified Copy of Certificate of Death
    • Original of the Last Will and Testament.
    • Filing fee of $231.
    • Document Preparation $7 Certification of Court Order $3 Administer Oath $3.50
25. Pasco Clerk, Disposition of Personal Property without Administration (form), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • DISPOSITION OF PERSONALPROPERTY WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION
    • IN AND FOR PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA
26. Pasco Clerk, Statement of Claim, estate (form), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • STATEMENT OF CLAIM
    • IN AND FOR PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA
27. Pasco Clerk, Department of Children and Families release form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • FLORIDA ABUSE HOTLINE INFORMATION SYSTEM BACKGROUND CHECK
    • Attn: Probate Department
28. Sixth Judicial Circuit, home, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • serves the citizens of Pasco and Pinellas counties in Florida's west central region.
29. Sixth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Archived Admin. Orders By Subject
    • Archived Admin. Orders By Year
30. Sixth Judicial Circuit, Probate and Guardianship Division Administrative Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate and Guardianship Division Administrative Orders
    • 2025-035 Assignment of Probate Cases in Pinellas County - Effective December 8, 2025
    • 2023-040 Electronic Filing in Pasco County
    • 2023-038 Electronic Filing in Pinellas County
    • 2024-025 Guardianship
    • 2022-017 Case Files in Pasco County
    • 2026-006 Mental Health - Confidentiality of Guardianship Examining Committee Reports and Guardian Ad Litem Reports
31. Sixth Judicial Circuit, Judicial Assignments Administrative Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 2026-015 Pasco Circuit Court Judicial Assignments - Effective June 1, 2026
    • 2026-017 Pinellas Circuit Court Judicial Assignments -Effective May 18, 2026
32. Administrative Order 2026-015 PA-CIR, Pasco Circuit Court Judicial Assignments (corrected), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2026-015 PA-CIR
    • PASCO CIRCUIT COURT JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS
    • EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2026
    • EAST PASCO JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS
    • PROBATE COURT SECTIONS
    • Section I Guardianship, Estates and all other Probate cases
    • Judge Linda Babb
    • WEST PASCO JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS
    • Sections J Judge Dustin Anderson Guardianship, Estates and all other Probate cases
    • was originally signed on May 15, 2026
    • DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida, this 18th day of May 2026.
    • Original Signed by Shawn Crane, Chief Judge

    Note: The East Pasco list is in two columns; the page image shows Section I assigned to Judge Linda Babb.

33. Administrative Order 2023-040 PA-CIR, Electronic Filing in Pasco County, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2023-040 PA-CIR
    • RE: ELECTRONIC FILING IN PASCO COUNTY
    • Except as otherwise provided in this Administrative Order, attorneys must e-file pleadings and papers in all divisions.
    • Wills (including codicils) and separate writings identifying devises of tangible property placed on deposit with the Clerk;
    • Attorneys must not e-mail the Court or the Clerk with pleadings or papers for filing.
    • Unrepresented litigants are not required to e-file any pleadings, papers, or documents through the Portal, and the Clerk will continue to accept hard copy filings from such litigants. However, an unrepresented litigant may opt in to e-filing and e-service through the Portal.
    • ORIGINAL SIGNED ON NOVEMBER 9, 2023 BY SHAWN CRANE, CHIEF JUDGE
34. Administrative Order 2022-017 PA-CIR, Case Files in Pasco County, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2022-017 PA-CIR
    • RE: CASE FILES IN PASCO COUNTY
    • The Clerk is not required to create paper case files in new cases, except for the documents listed below for the initial court proceedings:
    • f. Initial petitions for Baker Act, Marchman Act, Preventing Exploitations of Vulnerable Adults, and Risk Protection Act cases.
    • ORIGINAL SIGNED ON MARCH 28, 2022 BY ANTHONY RONDOLINO, CHIEF JUDGE
35. Administrative Order 2024-025 PA/PI-CIR, Guardianship and Guardian Advocate Procedures, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2024-025 PA/PI-CIR
    • RE: GUARDIANSHIP AND GUARDIAN ADVOCATE PROCEDURES
    • each proposed guardian must submit for filing an Application for Appointment of Guardian and an Oath of Guardian.
    • ORIGINAL SIGNED ON AUGUST 1, 2024 BY SHAWN CRANE, CHIEF JUDGE
36. Administrative Order 2026-006 PA/PI-CIR, Confidentiality of Examining Committee and Guardian Ad Litem Reports, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2026-006 PA/PI-CIR
    • CONFIDENTIALITY OF GUARDIANSHIP EXAMINING COMMITTEE REPORTS AND GUARDIAN AD LITEM REPORTS
    • ORIGINAL SIGNED ON FEBRUARY 3, 2026 BY SHAWN CRANE, CHIEF JUDGE
37. Sixth Judicial Circuit, Local Rules 1 and 3, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 5. Probate and Guardianship Division All causes, proceedings, matters and actions pertaining to the probate of estates, administration of guardianships, incapacity proceedings, proceedings arising out of Chapter 393, Florida Statutes, the Baker Act, and Marchman Act, the Life-Prolonging Procedures Act, any proceeding arising under the Florida Probate Rules, and the administration of trusts, are assigned to the Probate and Guardianship Division.
    • All suits, causes, actions and proceedings shall be assigned to a section in a division on an equal, at random, blind assignment system, except when cases are assigned by administrative order or when a case is assigned by the Chief Judge or his or her designee.
38. Sixth Judicial Circuit, Courthouse Directory, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center Address: 38053 Live Oak Ave, Dade City, FL 33523
    • West Pasco Judicial Center Address: 7530 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654
39. Sixth Judicial Circuit, Judge Linda Babb, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Babb, Linda Circuit Judge Family, Probate, UFC
    • Courthouse Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center Address 38053 Live Oak Ave, Dade City, FL 33523, USA Section 5/6/28/29/A/I/UF Room 106D
40. Sixth Judicial Circuit, Judge Dustin Anderson, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Anderson, Dustin Circuit Judge Family, Probate
    • Courthouse West Pasco Judicial Center Address 7530 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654, USA Section C2, J, Q3 Room 215
41. Sixth Judicial Circuit, Practice Preferences, Judge Babb (Section I), checked October 16, 2026
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    • Probate/Guardianship (Both East and West Pasco County)
    • Once you file a motion and need hearing time, please send an Email to
    • Please include the case number and length of time needed for hearing.
    • (Do not leave voicemail requesting hearing time. All coordination of court dates is done via Email.)
    • A notice filed with the Clerk will not always notify the Judge's office of the cancellation.
    • Orders can be uploaded in JAWS. The Clerk will review the documents prior to submission to Judge Babb.
    • However, do not submit any orders with Judge Babb's signature being the only thing on the signature page.
42. Sixth Judicial Circuit, Practice Preferences, Judge Anderson (Section J), checked October 16, 2026
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    • DUSTIN ANDERSON CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE PROBATE AND GUARDIANSHIP SECTION J
    • 7530 Little Road Rm. 215 New Port Richey, FL 34654
    • Last Updated June 1, 2026
    • Pasco County utilizes the Judicial Automated Workflow System (JAWS).
    • In all but the most exceptional circumstances, documents must be e-filed and posted on the docket before the court will take any action.
    • Unless otherwise informed in advance by the court, the court will not consider any proposed orders until all interested parties/counsel have had an opportunity to review it and lodge any objections.
    • At this time, the court is not utilizing JAWS for scheduling of hearings.
    • Motions must be e-filed with the Clerk of Court and served upon opposing counsel or self-represented party prior to scheduling a hearing.
    • Parties will be held to the time requested and that time shall be split equally between the parties.
    • uncontested administrations, with or without a federal estate tax return, should be completed within 12 months, from the issuance of Letters of Administration to Final Discharge. Contested administrations are to be completed within 24 months from the filing to final discharge.
    • Typically, the minimum bond set is $18,000 as that is the highest bond available for the minimum bond premium
    • Every wrongful death estate will have a minimum bond of $18,000.
    • The bond exists to insure the performance of the Personal Representative (PR) to both beneficiaries and creditors and only in exceptional circumstances will it be waived.
    • Attorneys are responsible for calculating and calendaring these time periods. Otherwise, there will be an Order to Show Cause why the case should not be dismissed for lack of prosecution.
    • these time standards are strictly enforced and automatically calculated by the Clerk's program.
    • Summary Administrations do not contemplate hearings. If there are issues beyond the limited relief provided in a summary administration, the estate must be converted to a formal administration. There are no provisions for objections to claims in a Summary Administration.
    • the court will consider petitions to sell property which PRs will eventually seek to determine to be "homestead" or "exempt" as long as the proceeds are held in escrow or trust until such time as the creditors have been ascertained
43. Pasco County Property Appraiser, Homestead Exemption, checked October 16, 2026
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    • The property where you apply for Homestead Exemption must be your primary (permanent) residence on January 1 of the year for which you are making an application.
    • Though applications are accepted year-round, the deadline to file for the current year is March 1.
    • Approved exemptions automatically renew annually, unless a change in status occurs.
    • if your homestead property is in a Trust, do not submit an application online.
    • For all other exemptions and circumstance, please visit one of
    • three offices or call
    • customer service team for additional guidance
44. Pasco County Property Appraiser, Understanding Homestead Exemption and Other Benefits brochure (2024), checked October 16, 2026
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    • $5,000 WIDOW'S AND WIDOWER'S
    • Any widow or widower who is a permanent Florida
    • resident may claim this exemption. A death certificate
    • must be presented at time of application. If the widow or
    • widower remarries, he or she is no longer eligible.
45. Pasco County Property Appraiser, home, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Pasco County Property Appraiser
46. Pasco County Property Appraiser, Locations, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Please mail all correspondence to: Pasco County Property Appraiser P.O. Box 401 Dade City, FL 33526
    • Dade City East Pasco Government Center View address at 14236 6th St., Suite 101 Dade City, FL 33523-3408 in Google Maps. Call Dade City Office at (352) 521-4433
    • Land O' Lakes Central Pasco Professional Center View address at 4111 Land O'Lakes Blvd., Suite 106 Land O'Lakes, FL 34639-4402 in Google Maps. Call Land O' Lakes Office at (813) 929-2780
    • New Port Richey West Pasco Government Center View address at 8731 Citizens Drive, Suite 130 New Port Richey, FL 34654-5572 in Google Maps. Call New Port Richey Office at (727) 847-8151
    • Monday through - Friday 8:30am to - 5:00pm
47. Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Death Certificates are available for deaths occurring in the state of Florida from 2009 to present.
    • You must be a family member or legal representative when requesting cause of death.
    • Legible copy of a valid driver's license, passport, state-issued ID, or military identification card
    • Completed Death Certificate Application Form
    • open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Dade City offices are closed for lunch from 1-2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    • Fees $10 Death Certificate $10 Shipping
    • Florida Department of Health in Pasco County 727-619-0300
48. Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, Summit Professional, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Physical Address: 7509 State Road 52, Hudson, FL 34667 Phone: 727-619-0300
    • Birth and Death Certificates
49. Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, Dade City, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Physical Address: 13941 15th St., Dade City, FL 33525 Phone: 727-619-0300
    • Birth and Death Certificates