St. Johns County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk's E-Filing Portal link goes to the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. myflcourtaccess.com
• Division 46 requires every proposed order by e-mail to the division mailbox in Word or RTF format; an order that carries the parties' signatures goes in PDF/A format. circuit7.org
• Attorneys and self-represented litigants give an e-mail address for signed orders and update it with Form 2.603 when it changes. circuit7.org
• The clerk's court records search lists Probate, Wills On Deposit and Trust (Notice Of Trust) as case types. apps.stjohnsclerk.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. Each posted fee that has a § 28.2401 amount is $1 above that amount (plus the $4 petition charge where § 28.2401(3) applies), except the $7.00 exemplified certificate, which matches it.

Judges and divisions

7th Judicial Circuit. Serves Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties.

Courthouses that hear probate

• Richard O. Watson Judicial Center, 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084 (Division 46 chambers Room 347, Courtroom 355); 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays (most court facilities in the circuit) circuit7.org probate assignment

• Judge McGillin presides over probate and juvenile matters at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center in St. Augustine and over Veterans Treatment Court (Division 27). circuit7.org
• The clerk's judge information page lists Judge McGillin under Divisions 27 and 46 with a St. Augustine judicial assistant line of (904) 827-5603. stjohnsclerk.com
• The circuit says most court facilities are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays; individual clerk offices may vary. circuit7.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 7th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in St. Johns County. Circuit order index.

• G-2026-044-SJ, Assignment of Cases in Circuit Court (St. Johns County). Date: December 31, 2025 (effective January 20, 2026). Assigns all probate, guardianship, incapacity and trust cases filed in St. Johns County, with related Baker Act, Marchman Act and exploitation injunction cases, to Division 46.
• G-2026-025-SC (A), Circuit Division Assignments. Date: January 7, 2026 (effective January 20, 2026). Names Judge Howard O. McGillin, Jr. to Division 46.
• PB-2022-019-SC, Motions to Compel Discovery in Probate Actions. Date: September 30, 2022. Requires written notice of the discovery deficiency with 10 days to cure before a motion to compel discovery in a probate or guardianship action is filed.
• PB-2022-018-SC, Guardianship Examining Committees. Date: September 30, 2022. Lists the people qualified to serve on guardianship examining committees in the circuit.
• PB-2019-006-SC, Guardianship Education Requirements. Date: February 25, 2019. Approves the guardian education course providers for the circuit; professional guardians are outside the order.
• PB-2017-010-SC, Guardian Advocate Training, Baker Act and Marchman Act. Date: Printed as October 4, 2000 (numbered 2017). Approves the Department of Children and Families online guardian advocate training for use in the circuit.
• PB-2009-022-SC, Adversary Case Style on Probate Pleadings. Date: May 22, 2009. Directs the clerk to return unfiled any adversary pleading that lacks the Rule 5.025(d) adversary case style.
• PB-2000-001-SC, Codification of Administrative Orders in the Probate/Guardianship/Mental Health Division. Date: October 4, 2000. Sets the PB numbering for probate administrative orders and rescinds earlier probate orders.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and venue

• The clerk says Probate Rule 5.030 requires an attorney in many probate cases and that the clerk's office does not provide probate forms or procedural advice. stjohnsclerk.com
• Probate, guardianship, incapacity and trust cases filed in St. Johns County are assigned to Division 46. circuit7.org
• Pleadings declared adversary by Rule 5.025 that lack the adversary case style are returned unfiled by the clerk. circuit7.org

Wills

• The custodian deposits the original will with the clerk within 10 days after learning of the death and supplies the date of death or Social Security number. stjohnsclerk.com
• Division 46 asks a filer who deposited a will separately from the petition to make sure the clerk has moved a copy of the will into the probate case. circuit7.org
• Section 732.901 requires deposit within 10 days after the custodian receives information that the testator is dead, and the clerk keeps the original at least 20 years. flsenate.gov

Summary administration

• The clerk page prints $75,000 as the summary administration limit; § 735.201(2) reads $150,000 (chapter 2026-57, effective July 1, 2026). flsenate.gov

Disposition without administration

• The clerk lists the original will if any, the death certificate, a funeral bill showing who paid, and bank or stock statements for the assets; the procedure is not available if other assets exceed the funeral and final medical expenses or the estate includes real property. stjohnsclerk.com

Hearings, Division 46

• The division schedules hearings through case management and the judicial assistant, and prefers e-mail to the judicial assistant to avoid ex parte communication. circuit7.org
• A notice of hearing is filed and served within 5 days of reserving the hearing time, lists the judge's Zoom credentials if any remote appearance is involved, and carries the ADA notice required by Rule 2.540. circuit7.org
• The court must receive all hearing materials no later than three business days before the hearing; witness and exhibit lists are due three days before a contested evidentiary hearing. circuit7.org
• A continuance request is submitted at least five days before the court date and states the opposing party's position. circuit7.org
• A hearing is canceled only after a complete settlement of all issues set for hearing is placed in the court file. circuit7.org
• Hearings longer than 30 minutes are in person by default; a Zoom appearance is requested by motion, with the request due by close of business 2 days before the hearing. circuit7.org

Proposed orders, Division 46

• Proposed orders go by e-mail to [email protected] in Word or RTF format. circuit7.org
• Proposed orders are due within 10 days after a hearing; probate and guardianship orders for matters without a hearing are submitted with the motion or petition. circuit7.org

Guardianship

• A filing for incapacity and guardianship is followed at once by e-mailed proposed orders appointing an attorney for the alleged incapacitated person and an examining committee; the filer first coordinates with the three proposed committee members. circuit7.org
• An emergency temporary guardianship filing carries two proposed orders, and the filer contacts the judicial assistant to schedule the initial hearing. circuit7.org

Homestead

• Division 46 accepts a stand-alone petition to determine homestead status without an administration, with the division's checklist e-mailed to the division mailbox the same day the petition is filed. circuit7.org
• The checklist asks for a certified death certificate and a legal description of the property; a street address is not sufficient. circuit7.org

Discovery

• A motion to compel discovery in a probate or guardianship action requires prior written notice of the deficiency with 10 days to cure. circuit7.org

Division 46 meetings

• The court sponsors a quarterly meeting for attorneys, paralegals, professional guardians and examining committee members on probate and guardianship practice in St. Johns County. circuit7.org

Forms and checklists

• Division 46 standard judicial practices (last modified January 21, 2025), Seventh Judicial Circuit
• Division 46 checklist: petition to determine homestead, stand-alone petition, Seventh Judicial Circuit
• Judge McGillin's page (division practices and checklists), Seventh Judicial Circuit
• Affidavit of heirs form (probate division), St. Johns County Clerk
• Clerk forms page, St. Johns County Clerk
• Affidavit of heirs sample form, Seventh Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• The homestead deadline is March 1 (the next business day if it falls on a weekend); the appraiser accepts late applications for just cause until the end of the TRIM period. sjcpa.gov
• A homeowner must own the home and make it the primary residence on or before January 1 of the tax year; once approved, no reapplication is needed unless marital status, ownership or title changes. sjcpa.gov
• If the property is held in a trust and the applicant is not a trustee, a copy of the trust is required to establish beneficial title. sjcpa.gov
• The $5,000 widowed exemption needs the applicant to identify as widowed on the homestead application or provide the late spouse's death certificate. sjcpa.gov
• The appraiser's main office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. sjcpa.gov

Death certificates

• Death certificates are available for deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present; photo ID must accompany a request, and cause of death requires being a family member or legal representative. stjohns.floridahealth.gov
• The main office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and lists birth and death certificates among its services. stjohns.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• The clerk lists a probate e-mail address, [email protected], and the main line (904) 819-3600; the clerk does not give legal or procedural advice. stjohnsclerk.com
• The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: 800-342-8011, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. floridabar.org

Sources

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

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

   • Fee for formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings .......... $395
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at $1,000 or more .......... $340
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at less than $1,000 .......... $230
   • Charge for caveat .......... $40
   • Fee for disposition of personal property without administration .......... $230
   • Fee for guardianship proceedings of person only .......... $230
   • Charge for exemplified certificates .......... $7
   • An additional service charge of $4 on petitions seeking summary administration, formal administration, ancillary administration, guardianship, curatorship, and conservatorship shall be paid to the clerk.
2. Florida Statutes § 28.241, filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Reopen fees are due at the time a party files a pleading to reopen a proceeding if at least 90 days have elapsed since the filing of a final order or final judgment with the clerk.
3. Florida Statutes § 732.901, production of wills (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The custodian of a will must deposit the will with the clerk of the court having venue of the estate of the decedent within 10 days after receiving information that the testator is dead.
   • the clerk shall retain and preserve the original will in its original form for at least 20 years
4. Florida Statutes § 735.201, summary administration (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • does not exceed $150,000 or that the decedent has been dead for more than 2 years
   • s. 7, ch. 2026-57
5. Chapter 2026-57, Laws of Florida, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Section 7. Subsection (2) of section 735.201, Florida Statutes, is amended
   • Section 14. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Seventh Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Serving Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia Counties
9. Florida Courts, Trial Courts - Circuit, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Seventh Circuit - Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia
10. Seventh Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate/Guardianship
11. Seventh Judicial Circuit, Courthouse Hours and Holidays, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Most court facilities in the Seventh Judicial Circuit are open to the public between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Operating hours for individual Clerk of Court offices may vary.
12. Seventh Judicial Circuit, Zoom Tutorial, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • In the Seventh Judicial Circuit, some court proceedings are conducted utilizing the virtual platform Zoom
13. Seventh Judicial Circuit, Affidavit of Heirs sample form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRS
    • you must list ALL RELATIVES of the decedent
14. Seventh Judicial Circuit, PB-2000-001-SC, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Codification of Administrative Orders in the Probate/Guardianship/Mental Health Division
    • DONE AND ORDERED at Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida this 4th day of October, 2000.
15. Seventh Judicial Circuit, PB-2009-022-SC, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Adversary Case Style on Probate Pleadings
    • that do not contain the adversary case style described in Fla. Prob. R. 5.025(d) are not authorized by law and shall be returned by the clerk of court to the pleader
    • DONE AND ORDERED in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida this 22nd day of May 2009.
16. Seventh Judicial Circuit, PB-2017-010-SC, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Guardian Advocate Training - Baker Act / Marchman Act
    • The on-line training courses developed by the Department of Children and Families, in conjunction with the Florida Certification Board
    • this 4th day of October, 2000
17. Seventh Judicial Circuit, PB-2019-006-SC, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Guardianship Education Requirements
    • courses provided and taught by the following organizations are approved for use in the Seventh Judicial Circuit
    • this 25th day of February 2019
18. Seventh Judicial Circuit, PB-2022-018-SC, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Guardianship Examining Committees
    • are qualified to serve as members of guardianship examining committees in the Seventh Judicial Circuit
    • this 30 th day of September 2022
19. Seventh Judicial Circuit, PB-2022-019-SC, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • MOTIONS TO COMPEL DISCOVERY IN PROBATE ACTIONS
    • Said written notice must provide 10 days for the opposing party to cure said asserted deficiencies, or such shorter time as may be required by the Court.
    • this 30 th day of September 2022
20. Seventh Judicial Circuit, G-2026-025-SC (A), Circuit Division Assignments, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • CIRCUIT DIVISION ASSIGNMENTS
    • ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the following judicial division assignments become effective January 20, 2026, and remain in effect until further order of the Chief Judge:
    • DONE AND ORDERED in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida, this 7th day of January 2026.
    • Division 46 Judge Howard O. McGillin, Jr.
21. St. Johns County Clerk, Probate, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Pursuant to F. S. 732.901, the original Last Will and Testament of the decedent must be deposited by the custodian within 10 days after receiving information that the testor is deceased with the Clerk's Office.
    • The statute also states the date of death or social security number must be supplied upon the deposit of the will.
    • Formal Administration which is generally used when the estate value exceeds $75,000.00.
    • Summary Administration is generally used when the estate value is $75,000.00 or less.
    • Florida Probate Rule 5.030 requires an attorney for many Probate cases.
    • the Clerk's Office cannot assist you with these probate matters and does not provide forms.
    • This procedure may not be used when there are other assets in excess of the paid funeral bill and final medical expenses or if the decedent's estate includes real property.
    • Original Last Will and Testament of the decedent (if applicable). Certificate of Death Funeral bill showing paid in full and who paid. Copy of bank statement, stock certificate or any related information regarding the assets that you are attempting to transfer with this procedure.
    • Formal Administration $400.00
    • Trust Administration $400.00
    • Summary Administration (Estates valued @ $1,000 or more) $345.00
    • Summary Administration (Estates valued @ less than $1,000) $235.00
    • Petition and One Order $231.00
    • Petition and Order to admit foreign wills, Authenticated copies or transcript of record $231.00
    • Disposition of Personal Property without Administration $231.00
    • Caveat $41.00
    • Notice of Trust $41.00
    • Petition to Determine Incapacity and Restoration $231.00
    • Richard O. Watson Judicial Center 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084
    • (904) 819-3600 Hours of Operation: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

    Note: the $75,000 limit printed on this page was replaced by $150,000 in § 735.201(2) (chapter 2026-57).

22. St. Johns County Clerk, Contact Us, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate Email: [email protected]
    • Richard O. Watson Judicial Center 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 P hone: (904) 819-3600 Hours of Operation: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
23. St. Johns County Clerk, Judge's Information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Howard O. McGillin, Jr. 27, 46 Veronica Griffis (904) 827-5603 347
24. St. Johns County Clerk, Forms, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate Affidavit of Heirs Form
    • Designation of Email Address by a Party Not Represented by an Attorney
    • Click on the division below to access the forms available.
25. St. Johns County Clerk, Affidavit of Heirs form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRS
    • PROBATE DIVISION
    • To be completed by an interested party
26. St. Johns County Clerk, Court Records Search, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Case Search
    • Probate
    • Wills On Deposit
    • Trust (Notice Of Trust)
27. Seventh Judicial Circuit, Judge Howard O. McGillin, Jr., checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Division 46 - Probate/Guardianship & Dependency/Delinquency Division 27 - Veterans Treatment Court St. Johns/Putnam
    • He currently presides over Probate and Juvenile matters at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center in St. Augustine.
    • Division 46 Standard Practices
    • Title - Div. 46 Checklist - Determine Homestead - Stand Alone Petition
28. Seventh Judicial Circuit, Division 46 Standard Judicial Practices, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Last Modified January 21, 2025
    • Physical Address: Chambers Room 347 Courtroom 355 Richard O. Watson, Judicial Center 4010 Lewis Speedway, St Augustine, FL 32084
    • All proposed orders must be submitted by e-mail to [email protected].
    • The proposed Order MUST be in MS Word format (.docx) or RTF (Rich Text File) format.
    • Proposed orders MUST be submitted within 10 days after any hearing.
    • Proposed Orders in Probate and Guardianship for matters which do not involve a hearing should be submitted simultaneously with the filing of the appropriate motion or petition.
    • E-mail is the preferred means of communicating with the Court's Judicial Assistant, to avoid ex-parte communication.
    • A notice of hearing must be filed and served within 5 days of reserving hearing time.
    • All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
    • The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three business days before the hearing.
    • At a minimum each party must serve and file a witness list and proposed exhibit list not later than three days before any contested evidentiary hearing.
    • A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date!
    • ALL motions for a continuance MUST state the position of the opposing party.
    • You may ONLY cancel a hearing if there has been a complete settlement of all issues set for hearing.
    • The default for ALL hearings greater than 30 minutes in length is in-person.
    • Scheduling Hearings: This Division uses a combination of Case Management and coordination with the Court's Judicial Assistant to schedule hearings.
    • A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judicial Zoom credentials.
    • That settlement must be placed in the Court file before the Notice of Cancellation.
    • Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion unless specifically authorized by the Court when scheduling.
    • you should immediately email [email protected] with your proposed Order Appointing Attorney for the AIP AND Proposed Order Appointing the Examining Committee.
    • party must also immediately contact the Court's assistant to schedule an initial hearing.
    • The meeting is open to attorneys, paralegals, professional guardians and members of the examining committee.
    • All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
    • to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
    • The deadline to request Zoom appearance by any party or witness is close of court business 2 days before the hearing.
    • Will Deposit: If you have deposited the will separately from the filing of the Petition for any form of administration, please ensure that the clerk has moved a copy of the will into the Probate case.
    • the filing party MUST coordinate with the three proposed members of the committee to ensure their availability before submitting your proposed order.
    • The Court will permit filing a Petition to Determine Homestead Status of Real Property without a filing for administration.
    • this Division requires that the filing party email a checklist available at this link to the [email protected] mailbox simultaneously with your filing of the petition.
    • the filing party must simultaneously transmit two proposed orders to the Court
    • Division forms are available at the Division web page. These include Probate and Guardianship checklists.
    • GAP Meeting: The Court sponsors an ad hoc meeting of persons interested in the administration of Guardianship and Probate in St. Johns County.
    • The plan is to meet quarterly.
29. Seventh Judicial Circuit, Division 46 Checklist, Petition to Determine Homestead (stand alone), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • CHECKLIST FOR PETITION TO DETERMINE HOMESTEAD - STAND ALONE PETITION
    • This checklist shall be completed and emailed to [email protected] the same day you file your petition.
    • Certified copy of death certificate
    • Legal description of property (street address is not sufficient)
30. Seventh Judicial Circuit, G-2026-044-SJ, Assignment of Cases in Circuit Court (St. Johns County), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ASSIGNMENT OF CASES IN CIRCUIT COURT (St. Johns County)
    • All probate, guardianship, incapacity and trust cases are to be assigned to Division 46.
    • effective January 20, 2026, cases filed in the Circuit Court in and for St. Johns County are to be assigned as follows:
    • DONE AND ORDERED in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida, this 31st day of December 2025.
31. Seventh Judicial Circuit, St. Johns County, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Richard O. Watson Judicial Center 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084
32. St. Johns County Property Appraiser, Homestead Exemption and Portability, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The deadline to apply for homestead exemption and other personal exemptions is March 1. If that date falls on a weekend, then the deadline is the following business day.
    • Property owners can apply for homestead exemption and other personal exemptions for that tax year until the end of the TRIM period.
    • Per Florida Statute, you must have legal or beneficial title (ownership) to the property and make it your primary residence on or before January 1 of the tax year to qualify.
    • If property is owned in a trust, and applicant(s) are not a trustee of trust, a copy of the trust is required to establish beneficial title for applicant.
    • Once you're approved for a homestead exemption, you do not need to reapply unless there has been a change in marital status, property ownership or title.
    • The portability transfer must occur within three tax years.
33. St. Johns County Property Appraiser, Other Exemptions, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Widowed ($5,000 Exemption) To apply for this exemption, you must identify yourself as widowed on your homestead application or provide a copy of your late spouse's death certificate.
34. St. Johns County Property Appraiser, Contact, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Main Contact 4030 Lewis Speedway, Suite 203 St. Augustine, FL 32084 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 904-827-5500
35. St. Johns County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Saint Johns County Property Appraiser
36. Florida Department of Health in St. Johns 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.
    • 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.
    • $10 - Death certificate
    • 904-506-6081
37. Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County, Main Office, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Physical Address: 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, FL 32084
    • 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.