Polk County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk lists Probate among the courts that accept e-filing through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. polkclerkfl.gov
• Proposed orders are submitted to the judge's queue through the portal as Word .docx files with an e-filed cover letter, and the motion is e-filed first (AO 1-61.1). jud10.flcourts.org
• The circuit's step-by-step instructions: choose "Proposed Documents to Judiciary" in the portal, pick the county, and upload the Word proposed order. jud10.flcourts.org
• Polk Records Online is the clerk's case records search application. pro.polkcountyclerk.net

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Probate/Guardianship 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). The fee page carries no date.

Judges and divisions

10th Judicial Circuit. Serves Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties (§ 26.021(10), Fla. Stat.).

Courthouses that hear probate

• Polk County Courthouse, 255 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830; (863) 534-4000; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. jud10.flcourts.org probate assignment

• Judge Moore's page links a calendar that shows when the judge is not available and lists a judicial assistant, Sharon Boggan, at (863) 534-5840. jud10.flcourts.org
• The Tenth Judicial Circuit serves Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties. jud10.flcourts.org
• The circuit's courthouse hours page lists Polk County, Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. jud10.flcourts.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 10th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Polk County. Circuit order index.

• AO 1-1.69, Assignment of Judges. Date: June 2, 2026 (covers July 6, 2026 through January 3, 2027). Assigns judges to sections and divisions for Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties and has the three clerks assign cases to sections by the order's ratios.
• AO 4-17.3, Assignment of Mental Health Cases in Probate Division. Date: October 2, 2026 (effective October 5, 2026). Assigns Polk indigent and preneed guardianship cases to Section 17, other guardianship cases to Section 18 or 19, risk protection cases to Section 31 and other mental health cases to Section 17.
• AO 4-16.0, Orders for the Determination of Homestead Property in Formal Administrations. Date: June 14, 2016. Directs that a proposed Order Determining Homestead not be submitted until the publication and creditor-claim periods expire, unless a motion shows good cause and a hearing is set.
• AO 4-1.2, Recordation of Probate Records. Date: Recorded November 12, 1998. Lists the probate documents recorded in the Official Records (wills admitted, letters, orders affecting real property and others) and includes the recording fees in the fee paid when the estate is opened. Paragraph 3 adds $25.00 to the filing fees for determination of homestead, summary administration, foreign transcripts, formal administration, guardianship of property, ancillary administration and curator and conservator proceedings. The clerk's fee schedule lists no $25.00 add-on, and no clerk page says whether it is still charged.
• AO 4-13.5, Magistrates for Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health and Public Health Proceedings. Date: November 21, 2025. Appoints general magistrates for probate, guardianship, mental health and public health proceedings in the three counties.
• AO 4-3.2, Guardianship Procedures in the Tenth Circuit. Date: March 5, 2025. Sets the circuit's guardianship procedures and replaces AO 4-3.1.
• AO 4-7.5, Guardianship Education Requirements for Non-Professional Guardians. Date: February 14, 2023. Sets the education requirements for non-professional guardians under § 744.3145 and vacates AO 4-7.4.
• AO 1-61.1, Uniform Procedures and Requirements for Electronically Submitting Proposed Orders Through CAPS. Date: April 14, 2023 (effective April 17, 2023). Requires Word .docx proposed orders, one case number each, the motion e-filed first, and no duplicate submissions by mail, fax or email.
• AO 4-8.0, Authority of Banks When Presented With Letters of Administration or Guardianship. Date: October 1994. Lets a financial institution give a personal representative or guardian with letters access to the decedent's or ward's safety deposit box without a further order.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and venue

• A probate case is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled, which the death certificate shows as the county of last residence. For a non-resident, it can be filed in any county where the decedent's property is located. jud10.flcourts.org
• A personal representative in a formal administration must be represented by a Florida attorney (Probate Rule 5.030(a)). The court's information packet says summary administration and disposition without administration do not require one. jud10.flcourts.org
• The Polk Probate Division is Section 14 before Judge Dana Y. Moore (Administrative Judge). AO 1-1.69 covers July 6, 2026 through January 3, 2027. jud10.flcourts.org
• Guardianship and mental health cases in the Polk probate division are assigned by AO 4-17.3, effective October 5, 2026: indigent and preneed guardianships to Section 17, other guardianships to Section 18 or 19 by rotation, risk protection cases to Section 31, and other mental health cases to Section 17. jud10.flcourts.org

Wills

• The custodian of a will deposits it with the clerk within 10 days after learning of the death and supplies the date of death or Social Security number if available. Original wills go to the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow, not the Lakeland or Northeast offices. No attorney is needed to deposit a will. polkclerkfl.gov
• 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
• Original wills and other paper documents go to the clerk, never to the judge or case manager. If the original will sits in a separately numbered case, the proposed order admitting the will states that case number. jud10.flcourts.org

Hearings and proposed orders (Judge Moore)

• Filing a petition does not put it before the court. The parties must place the matter before the court by an emailed hearing request with the county, full case number, case style, motions to be heard, the attorneys or pro se parties, and the time needed. jud10.flcourts.org
• Hearings are not requested until all required documents are filed and notice is complete or waivers are filed. Petitions for approval of settlement require a hearing. jud10.flcourts.org
• Many probate hearings of 15 minutes or less are held remotely with no in-person appearances. A notice of hearing says whether the event is in person or remote. The court does not allow telephone appearances, and an in-person hearing needs a motion at least 10 days ahead to appear by electronic means. jud10.flcourts.org
• Proposed orders go in Word format with an e-filed cover letter, by email or through the portal, and follow AO 1-61.1. The court enters no order until the motion and supporting documents are docketed and imaged by the clerk, and asks for at least 14 days before follow-up with the case manager. jud10.flcourts.org
• Counsel and unrepresented parties attend every status and case management conference unless excused. A continuance needs a status report and motion at least 10 days before the conference, and sanctions can follow a failure to appear. A closed case cancels the conference. jud10.flcourts.org
• Continuances are not routinely granted and are decided case by case. jud10.flcourts.org

Case management (circuit)

• A monthly delinquent list goes to the Probate Division case manager for guardianship and estate cases. The attorney of record gets a no-activity or delinquent letter with 30 days to comply, then a status conference, then an order to show cause hearing with the assigned judge. jud10.flcourts.org

Homestead

• AO 4-16.0 directs that a proposed Order Determining Homestead not be submitted until the publication and creditor-claim periods expire, unless a motion shows good cause and a hearing is set. jud10.flcourts.org
• Judge Moore's homestead summary administration checklist asks for a legal description (a street address is not sufficient) and an order that does not direct a personal representative to surrender property, since summary administration has none. jud10.flcourts.org

Summary administration

• Judge Moore's summary administration checklist asks whether the decedent lived in Polk County, whether the assets are $150,000 or less, whether the decedent has been dead more than 2 years, and whether the filer has a certified death certificate and the Affidavit of Heirs. jud10.flcourts.org
• The clerk's probate FAQ prints a $75,000 summary administration limit. Section 735.201(2) reads $150,000 since July 1, 2026 (ch. 2026-57, s. 7), and the judge's checklist uses $150,000. flsenate.gov

Disposition of personal property without administration

• The clerk's FAQ describes disposition as a request to release assets to the person who paid final expenses (funeral bills or medical bills for the last 60 days) by informal application, with a deputy clerk available to help prepare it. The estate cannot include real property. polkclerkfl.gov
• Section 735.301(1) limits nonexempt personal property to 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

Banks and recording

• AO 4-8.0 lets a financial institution give a personal representative or guardian holding letters access to a safety deposit box without a further order. jud10.flcourts.org
• AO 4-1.2 includes the recording fees for the documents it lists in the fee paid when the estate is opened. Its paragraph 3 adds $25.00 to the filing fees for determination of homestead, summary administration, foreign transcripts, formal administration, guardianship of property, ancillary administration and curator and conservator proceedings. The clerk's fee schedule lists no $25.00 add-on, and no clerk page says whether it is still charged. jud10.flcourts.org

Forms and checklists

• Judge Moore general procedures, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Florida Probate Information, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Affidavit of Heirs instructions, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Affidavit of Heirs form, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Interested Parties, Formal Notice and Waivers, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Summary Administration Checklist, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Homestead Summary Administration Checklist, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Petition for Summary Administration form, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Petition to admit the decedent's will form, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Petition to Determine Exempt Property form, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Standalone Homestead Petition form, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Petition to Allow Access to Bank Information form, Judge Moore, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Instructions for submitting proposed orders to the E-Filing Portal, Tenth Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• Homestead exemption: the owner must own and occupy the Polk County home as a permanent residence as of January 1 and apply before the late-file deadline of the year the exemption is to begin. polkflpa.gov
• A home held in a trust qualifies if the applicant has equitable title or a beneficial interest, and the appraiser may ask for a copy of the trust agreement after the application is filed. polkflpa.gov
• Offices: Bartow main office, 255 N Wilson Avenue, (863) 534-4777; Lake Alfred, 200 Government Center Boulevard, (863) 401-2424; Lakeland, 930 E Parker Street, Suite 272, (863) 802-6150. Branch hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. polkflpa.gov

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. polk.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 $10. polk.floridahealth.gov
• The Lake Alfred Office of Vital Statistics, phone 863-519-8446, is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. polk.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• The clerk's contact page lists drawer CC-4 for Probate/Guardianship mail to the courthouse. polkclerkfl.gov
• Polk Records Online gives public access to court records and images. pro.polkcountyclerk.net

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. Tenth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Hardee County Highlands County Polk County
9. Florida Statutes § 26.021, judicial circuits (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The tenth circuit is composed of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties.
10. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders, probate and guardianship, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Recordation of Probate Records
    • In Re: Magistrates For Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health, And Public Health Proceedings
    • N RE: ORDERS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF HOMESTEAD PROPERTY IN FORMAL ADMINISTRATIONS
    • In Re: Guardianship Procedures In The Tenth Circuit
    • In Re: Authority Of Banks When Presented With Letters Of Administration Or Guardianship
11. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Probate, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • On Guardianship and Estates cases a delinquent list is supplied to the case manager in the Probate Division monthly.
    • After review of each case a no activity letter or delinquent letter is sent to the attorney of record indicating they have 30 days in order to comply.
    • Once the 30 days has lapsed, the case manager will schedule all cases in which no record activity has occurred within that 30 days for a status conference hearing with the case assigned judge.
    • If after the status conference hearing there is still no record activity the case is rescheduled for an order to show cause hearing with the case assigned judge.
12. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 1-1.69, Assignment of Judges, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 1-1.69 ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES JULY 6, 2026 THROUGH JANUARY 3, 2027
    • Effective July 6, 2026, the Polk, Highlands, and Hardee County Clerks of Courts shall assign cases to the sections and divisions of the court in accordance with the ratio shown in Exhibit A
    • DONE AND ORDERED in chambers, at Bartow, Polk County, Florida this 2nd day of June 2026.
    • 14: MOORE (Adm. Judge) 5
    • DANA Y. MOORE
    • POLK PROBATE DIVISION
    • Judicial Assistant: Sharon Boggan
13. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-16.0, Homestead in Formal Administrations, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-16.0
    • IN RE: ORDERS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF HOMESTEAD PROPERTY IN FORMAL ADMINISTRATIONS
    • A proposed Order Determining Homestead should not be submitted to the Court prior to the expiration of the publication period and the period for known creditors to file a claim.
    • DONE and ORDERED on this 14th day of June, 2016.
    • the petitioner must file a motion showing good cause to do so and set a hearing before the presiding Judge.

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

14. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-1.2, Recordation of Probate Records, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-1.2
    • RECORDATION OF PROBATE RECORDS
    • Wills and Codicils Admitted to Probate
    • The recording fees involved with the recording of the above described documents shall be included in the filing fee paid upon the opening of the estate proceeding.
    • Effective upon entry of this Order, the sum of $25.00 shall be added to the filing fees due to the Probate Department on the filing of the following probate matters:
    • Determination of Homestead
    • Summary Administration
    • Foreign Transcripts
    • Formal Administration
    • Guardianship of Property (Plenary and Limited)
    • Ancillary Administration
    • Curator and Conservator Proceeding
    • RECORDED 11/12/98

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

15. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-13.5, Magistrates for Probate and Guardianship, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-13.5
    • IN RE: MAGISTRATES FOR PROBATE, GUARDIANSHIP, MENTAL HEALTH, AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
    • it is necessary to appoint magistrates in order to continue the efficient
    • DONE AND ORDERED on this 21st day of November, 2025.
16. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-3.2, Guardianship Procedures, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 4-3.2
    • IN RE: GUARDIANSHIP PROCEDURES IN THE TENTH CIRCUIT
    • DONE AND ORDERED on this 5th day of March, 2025.
17. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-7.5, Guardianship Education, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-7.5
    • RE: GUARDIANSHIP EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-PROFESSIONAL GUARDIANS
    • DONE AND ORDERED on this 14th day of February, 2023.
18. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 1-61.1, Electronic Submission of Proposed Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 1-61.1
    • UNIFORM PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTING PROPOSED ORDERS THROUGH CAPS
    • Proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word .docx format.
    • If the submission relates to a written motion, the motion must be e-filed prior to submission of the proposed order.
    • A proposed order should, whenever possible, contain only one case number.
    • Duplicate proposed orders must not be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail.
    • is effective on April 17, 2023.
    • DONE AND ORDERED in Bartow, Florida, on this 14 day of April, 2023.
19. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-17.3, Mental Health Cases in Probate Division, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-17.3
    • ASSIGNMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CASES IN PROBATE DIVISION
    • Indigent guardianship cases, cases in which the ward has been determined indigent, shall be assigned to Section 17.
    • Risk protection cases shall be assigned to Section 31.
    • is effective on October 5, 2026.
    • DONE AND ORDERED on this 2nd day of October 2026.
    • Preneed guardianship cases
    • shall be assigned to Section 18 or 19, based upon the calendar rotation.
    • All other mental health cases shall be assigned to Section 17.
20. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-8.0, Banks and Letters of Administration, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN RE: AUTHORITY OF BANKS WHEN PRESENTED WITH LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION OR GUARDIANSHIP
    • hereby authorized, without further order or direction from this Court,to allow
    • the Guardian or Personal Representative access to said safety deposit box
21. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Instructions for submitting proposed orders to the E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 10TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT'S INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSED ORDERS TO FLORIDA COURTS E-FILING PORTAL
    • Select "Proposed Documents to Judiciary" then choose which county you need from the dropdown.
    • (document must be in Word .docx format)
22. Polk County Clerk, Wills & Estates, 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.
    • After the death of the person, the custodian of the will must deposit the will with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, within 10 days after receiving information that the person is deceased.
    • The custodian should supply the person's date of death or the person's social security number to the Clerk upon deposit of the will, if this information is available.
    • office in the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow
    • This service is not offered at
    • Lakeland or Northeast - Lake Alfred offices.

    Note: The page source writes the apostrophes as '. scripts/verify-county-facts.mjs turns ' into a space, so it cannot match this quote; the text was checked in the page on 2026-10-16.

23. Polk County Clerk, Contact Us, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Phone 863-534-4000
    • Polk County Courthouse 255 N. Broadway Ave. Bartow, FL 33830-3912
    • Lakeland Government Center 930 E. Parker St. Lakeland, FL 33801-1929
    • Northeast Government Center 200 Government Center Blvd. Lake Alfred, FL 33850
    • Mail: PO Box 9000 **Include drawer number, see listings below Bartow, FL 33831-9000
    • Probate/Guardianship CC -4
24. Polk County Clerk, Hours and Holidays, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Business Hours Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
25. Polk County Clerk, Probate FAQ, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • No, an attorney is not necessary to deposit the will with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
    • Summary administration may be filed when the value of the entire estate, excluding exemptions, does not exceed $75,000.
    • The disposition is filed to request the release of assets of the deceased to the person who paid the final expense, such as funeral bills or medical bills for the last 60 days.
    • This procedure may be accomplished with the filing of an informal application.
    • upon request, the deputy clerk can assist the applicant in the preparation of the application.
    • The estate cannot include real property.
    • There are three basic types of proceedings for administering the decedent's estate:
26. Polk County Clerk, Fees, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • For the opening of any estate of one document or more $231.00
    • Caveat and Notice of trust $41.00
    • Petition and order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies of transcript of record $231.00
    • For disposition of personal property without administration $231.00
    • Summary administration, estates valued at Less than $1,000 $235.00
    • Summary administration, estates valued at $1,000 or more $345.00
    • Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, trust, curatorship or conservatorship proceeding $400.00
    • Guardianship proceeding of person only $235.00
    • Veterans Administration guardianship pursuant to Chapter 744 $235.00
    • Petition for determination of capacity $231.00
    • For re-opening a previously closed case $50.00
27. Polk County Clerk, E-Filing, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • E-Filing is available in the following courts: Circuit and County Civil Courts Circuit and County Criminal Courts Criminal and Civil Traffic Family Juvenile Probate
28. Polk Records Online, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Polk Records Online
    • Welcome to Polk Records Online, the Polk County Clerk of Court's consolidated case records search application.
29. 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.
30. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Dana Y. Moore, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Dana Y. Moore Circuit Assignment: Polk Probate/Mental/Public Health (Admin Judge) - Sec 14
    • Judicial Assistant: Sharon Boggan
    • Phone: (863) 534 - 5840
    • Address: P.O. Box 9000, Drawer J141 Bartow, FL 33831-9000
    • Form - Affidavit of Heirs
    • Summary Administration Checklist
    • Homestead Summary Administration Checklist
    • Form - Standalone Homestead Petition
    • Form - Petition for Summary Administration
    • Form - Petition to Determine Exempt Property
    • Judge Moore's Calendar
    • This calendar shows when the judge is not available.
31. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Moore general procedures, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The mere filing of a petition with the E-Filing portal or the Clerk of Court's Office does not place the matter before the Court.
    • The Court is not notified of new filings, and therefore it is the obligation of the parties to place the matter before the Court.
    • Hearing requests should be made by email and should include the county name, full case number, style of the case, type of motion(s) being heard, the attorneys and/or pro se parties involved, and the amount of time requested.
    • Hearings should not be requested until all required documents have been filed, and notice has been effected in accordance with the Rules, or waivers filed by all parties entitled to notice.
    • Petitions for approval of settlement require a hearing.
    • an e-filed cover letter must be attached.
    • All proposed orders should be submitted in Word format to the address above or through the e-portal.
    • Comply with the Tenth Circuit Administrative order 1-61.1
    • Orders will not be entered until the motion and all supporting documentation has been docketed and imaged by the Clerk.
    • Please allow at least 14 days after submitting your proposed orders for review before following up with the case manager.
    • Counsel and unrepresented parties must attend all status and Case Management Conferences unless excused by the court.
    • file a status report along with a Motion for Continuance not less 10 days prior to the Case Management Conference
    • Many probate hearings that are 15 minutes or less are being conducted remotely, with no in-
    • person appearances.
    • You must file a notice of hearing that will advise if your event is in person or remote.
    • you must file a Motion with the court not less than 10 days in advance of your hearing date if you wish to attend by electronic means.
    • The court is not allowing telephonic appearances at this time.
    • All original documents, including wills, should be deposited directly with the Clerk of Court.
    • Do not send any original documents to the judicial officer or case manager.
    • you must specify that additional case number in the email submission of the proposed orders, as well as in the text of the proposed order admitting the will to probate.
    • Continuances are not routinely granted and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
32. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Florida Probate Information (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Florida Probate Information
    • Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's estate is properly distributed to heirs and designated beneficiaries and any debt owed to creditors is paid.
    • If the decedent was a Florida resident, the case must be filed in the county where they were domiciled
    • Florida Probate Rule 5.030(a) requires that a personal representative in a formal administration of an estate must be represented by an attorney.
33. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Affidavit of Heirs instructions (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRS
    • An Affidavit of Heirs is a sworn document that lists ALL RELATIVES OF THE DECEDENT.
34. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Affidavit of Heirs form (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
    • AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRS
    • PROBATE DIVISION
35. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Interested Parties, Formal Notice and Waivers (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Interested Parties, Formal Notice, & Waivers
    • In addition to completing the appropriate forms, you must provide all interested parties with formal notice of the documents you have filed.
36. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Summary Administration Checklist (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Summary Administration Checklist
    • Did the deceased live in Polk County?
    • Are the estate's assets, both real and personal, equal to or less than $150,000?
    • Has the decedent been deceased more than 2 years?
    • Do you have a certified copy of the death certificate?
    • Have you completed the required Affidavit of Heirs?
37. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Homestead Summary Administration Checklist (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Homestead - Summary Administration
    • Legal description of property (street address is not sufficient) [5.405(b)(4)]
    • Order does not direct personal representative to surrender property (no PR in summary admin)
38. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Petition for Summary Administration form (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN AND FOR POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA
    • PETITION FOR SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION
39. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Petition to Admit Will form (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
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    • IN AND FOR POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA
    • PROBATE DIVISION 14
40. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Petition to Determine Exempt Property form (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN AND FOR POLK COUNTY, STATE OF FLORIDA
    • PROBATE DIVISION 14
41. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Standalone Homestead Petition form (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN AND FOR _____________________COUNTY, FLORIDA
    • Probate Division
42. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Petition to Allow Access to Bank Information form (Judge Moore), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN AND FOR POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA
    • PROBATE DIVISION FOURTEEN
43. Polk County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Polk County Property Appraiser - Official Website
44. Polk County Property Appraiser, Exemptions, checked October 16, 2026
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    • If you own property that you are using as your permanent residence as of January 1, you may be eligible for significant tax savings by filing for Homestead Exemption.
    • Own and occupy their Polk County home as their permanent residence as of January 1.
    • Submit an application before the late file deadline of the year you wish the exemption to begin.
    • If title to the home is held in the name of a trust, the applicant must have equitable title or beneficial interest to qualify for the homestead exemption.
    • A copy of the trust agreement may be requested after the application is filed.
45. Polk County Property Appraiser, Contact Us, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Bartow / Main Office 255 N Wilson Avenue Bartow, FL 33830 Phone: (863) 534-4777
    • Lake Alfred Office (at Northeast Government Center) 200 Government Center Boulevard, Lake Alfred, FL 33850 Phone: (863) 401-2424 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
    • Lakeland Office 930 E Parker Street, Suite 272 Lakeland, FL 33801 Phone: (863) 802-6150 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
46. Florida Department of Health in Polk 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.
    • 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.
    • Lake Alfred Office of Vital Statistics
    • $10 Death Certificate
    • the only vendor authorized by the Florida Department of Health
    • Florida Department of Health in Polk County Vital Statistics 863-519-8446
47. Florida Department of Health in Polk County, Lake Alfred Vital Statistics, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Lake Alfred Vital Statistics Physical Address: Government Center Blvd., Lake Alfred, FL 33850 Phone: 863-519-8446
    • Birth and Death Certificates
    • Monday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wednesday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Thursday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

    Note: The page prints the street as "Government Center Blvd." without a number.

48. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Courthouse Locations, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Polk County About Polk Courthouse 255 N. Broadway Ave. Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 534-4000
49. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Courthouse Hours, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Polk County Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM