Union County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk's home page links E-File to the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and Search Court Records to the OCRS search. unionclerk.com
• The Eighth Circuit says a person without an attorney may file in person, by mail or through the Florida E-Filing Portal. circuit8.org
• For a disposition of personal property without administration, a clerk helps complete the petition and presents it to the presiding probate judge; the filing fee is due when the petition is filed. unionclerk.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. The clerk's probate page says there is no charge to deposit a will and that the filing fee for a disposition is due with the petition, but posts no probate amounts, so the rows show the § 28.2401 maximums only.

Judges and divisions

8th Judicial Circuit. Serves Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties.

Courthouses that hear probate

• Union County Courthouse, 55 West Main Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054 circuit8.org

• The circuit lists Judge Sean Brewer among the circuit court judges for Union County. circuit8.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 8th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Union County. Circuit order index.

• AO 9.03 (v 2026-3), General Assignments. Date: Effective August 24, 2026. Lists the circuit judge who hears probate and guardianship cases in each county.
• AO 9.03 (v 2027-1), General Assignments. Date: Effective January 4, 2027. Replaces the 2026 assignments from January 4, 2027, with new probate and guardianship judge assignments in several counties.
• AO 9.02 (v 2018-1), Assignment of Circuit and County Cases by Case Type in Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties. Date: Effective March 20, 2018. Defines probate (CP) and guardianship (GA) case types, including deposit of will, and the county numbers used in case numbers.
• AO 7.01, Probate Case Management. Date: Effective November 29, 1995 (signed October 5, 2012). Sets case management for estates open more than 8 months, with a status report allowed 10 days before the conference and an inventory compliance report from the clerk.
• AO 7.02 (v3), Procedures for Settlements Requiring Court Approval. Date: Effective August 2, 2015. Sets the petition, documents and notice for court approval of settlements of decedents' claims and claims of minors or incapacitated persons.
• AO 7.03, Document Caption for Petition to Determine Incapacity. Date: Effective December 18, 1990 (signed October 5, 2012). Bars the caption "In re the Guardianship of" on a petition to determine incapacity and allows "In re the Determination of Capacity of."
• AO 7.04 (v8), Appointment of Examining Committee Members for Incapacity Proceedings. Date: Effective March 4, 2019. Has the Chief Judge keep the list of qualified examining committee members and sets the training and request rules.
• AO 7.05, Incapacity Orders: FDLE Report Information. Date: Effective November 14, 2023. Requires incapacity and guardian advocate orders to carry identifying details of the person for the FDLE report.
• AO 7.06, Professional Guardians. Date: Effective September 2, 2002. Defines a professional guardian and requires registration with the Statewide Public Guardianship Office.
• AO 7.07, Guardian Bonds in Veterans' Guardianships. Date: Effective September 5, 2002. Has the clerk screen guardian bonds in veterans' guardianships before court approval.
• AO 7.08 (v4), Guardianship Education Requirements for Non-Professional Guardians. Date: Effective September 29, 2023. Lets a guardian meet the education requirement in person or online through an approved course.
• AO 7.09, Guardian Advocate Education. Date: Effective May 30, 2017. Requires a court-approved training course before a guardian advocate acts.
• AO 7.10, Guardianship Reports, Audits, and Budgets. Date: Effective July 1, 2015. Sets the rules for simplified accounting, reports, audits and budgets in guardianships.
• AO 7.11, Guardianship Monitoring Program. Date: Effective April 13, 1998. Creates monitoring of each guardianship.
• AO 7.14, Determination of Homestead Property Prior to Determination of Creditors' Claims. Date: Effective January 30, 2015. The court does not determine homestead before the publication and creditor-claim periods end unless the petitioner shows good cause by motion.
• AO 7.15, Veterans Administration Guardianships. Date: Effective February 2, 2015. Applies to guardianships under Part VIII of chapter 744 and sets how V.A. accounting approvals reach the court.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and venue

• The Eighth Circuit's AO 9.02 defines probate (CP) and guardianship (GA) case types for Union County, including deposit of will, and gives Union County the case-number code 63. circuit8.org
• Union County probate and guardianship cases are assigned to the circuit judge listed for Union County in AO 9.03; probate and guardianship matters circuit-wide also go to General Magistrate Katherine Floyd, with the division judge's oversight. circuit8.org
• The clerk's probate division keeps court records of estates, trusts, and guardianships of minors, incapacitated persons and adults who volunteer, and keeps Mental Health records for Baker Act, Marchman Act and related cases. unionclerk.com
• The court's probate information packet says a Florida resident's case is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled; for a non-resident it may be filed in any county where the decedent's property is located. circuit8.org
• A personal representative in a formal administration must have an attorney (Probate Rule 5.030(a)); summary administration and disposition proceedings do not require one. circuit8.org
• Every case needs a certified death certificate, an Affidavit of Heirs, the original will and codicils if any, and proof of service of formal notice or a joinder, waiver and consent from all interested parties. circuit8.org
• A person without an attorney may file in person, by mail or through the Florida E-Filing Portal. circuit8.org

Wills

• The custodian deposits the original will with the clerk of the court having venue within 10 days after learning of the death and supplies the date of death and Social Security number; the clerk charges nothing to deposit a will. unionclerk.com
• The depositor receives a receipt for deposit of will showing the case number and filing date, plus one courtesy certified copy; further certified copies are $1.00 per page plus $2.00 for certification. unionclerk.com
• 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

• Section 735.201(2) reads $150,000 (chapter 2026-57, effective July 1, 2026); the Eighth Circuit's packet and checklist use $150,000. flsenate.gov
• The circuit's packet states the summary administration limit as $150,000, excluding exempt property, or a decedent dead more than two years; its checklist asks whether the decedent lived in the filing county. circuit8.org

Disposition without administration

• The clerk says the proceeding cannot be used when real property is involved and refers readers to § 735.301. unionclerk.com
• Documents the clerk lists: the original will if any, the original or certified death certificate (no copies), the funeral home statement showing who paid, signed and notarized consents from all heirs, asset documents, and an affidavit of heirs. unionclerk.com
• If the judge approves the petition, the court enters an Order for Payment of Funds directing distribution of the assets. unionclerk.com
• The circuit's disposition information limits reimbursement to funeral costs up to $6,000 and medical expenses from the last 60 days, filed by the person who paid or by a spouse or children. circuit8.org
• A separate small-estate proceeding for intestate property is limited to direct lineal heirs, a decedent dead at least one year, and exempt and non-exempt personal property up to $20,000. circuit8.org

Probate assets

• The clerk lists assets outside probate: a revocable trust, assets with a named beneficiary, joint title with right of survivorship, pay-on-death or transfer-on-death accounts, homestead property and tenancy by the entireties. unionclerk.com

Case management

• Estates open more than 8 months are scheduled for case management; a status report filed 10 days before the conference can support a continuance, and the attorney confirms any continuance with the court's law clerk. circuit8.org
• The clerk reports estates with an overdue inventory, and the court orders the personal representative and attorney to appear to show cause unless the inventory is filed 10 days before the compliance hearing. circuit8.org

Homestead

• The court will not determine homestead before the publication period and the period for known creditors to file claims end, unless the petitioner files a motion showing good cause and sets a hearing. circuit8.org

Incapacity and guardianship

• A petition to determine incapacity is not captioned "In re the Guardianship of"; the caption "In re the Determination of Capacity of" is allowed. circuit8.org

Checklists

• The circuit lists Word checklists for ancillary administration, intestate and testate petitions for administration, homestead determination, discharge and case management, among others. circuit8.org

Forms and checklists

• Eighth Circuit forms and checklists page (probate section and checklists), Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Florida Probate Information packet, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Summary Administration Checklist, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Petition for Summary Administration form, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Disposition of Personal Property without Administration information, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Stand-alone petition to determine homestead status, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Affidavit of Heirs information, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Affidavit of Heirs sample form, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Interested parties, formal notice and waivers information, Eighth Judicial Circuit
• Union County Clerk probate page, Union County Clerk

Property and homestead

• A homestead exemption of up to $50,000 goes to an owner with legal or equitable title who makes the property a permanent home; a first-time applicant states residence on January 1. union.floridapa.com
• Exemption applications are due March 1. union.floridapa.com
• The $5,000 widow exemption ends on remarriage, and the appraiser may ask for a death certificate at the first filing. union.floridapa.com
• The appraiser's office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except holidays. union.floridapa.com

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. union.floridahealth.gov
• The Lake Butler health department is at 495 E Main St., phone 386-496-3211. union.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• The Eighth Circuit lists the Union County clerk's phone as (386) 496-3711 or (386) 496-4245 and hours as Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. circuit8.org
• 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. Eighth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida
   • Alachua County Baker County Bradford County Gilchrist County Levy County Union County
9. Florida Courts, Trial Courts - Circuit, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Eighth Circuit - Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union
10. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Section 7: Probate 7.01 Probate Case Management 7.02 Procedures for Settlements Requiring Court Approval 7.03 Document Caption for Petition to Determine Incapacity 7.04 Appointment of Examining Committee Members for Incapacity Proceedings
    • 7.14 Determination of Homestead Property Prior to Determination of Creditors' Claims
    • 9.03 (v2026-3) General Assignments
    • 9.03 (v2027-1) General Assignments (effective January 4th, 2027)
11. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.01 Probate Case Management, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 7.01 PROBATE CASE MANAGEMENT
    • 1. Estates that have been open for more than 8 months shall be scheduled for case management.
    • Personal representatives and/or their attorneys may file a status report 10 days prior to the case management hearing
    • The Clerk of Court shall report to the court all cases where the inventory is past due
    • Probate Case Management Effective: November 29, 1995
12. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.02 Procedures for Settlements Requiring Court Approval, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 7.02 PROCEDURES FOR SETTLEMENTS REQUIRING COURT APPROVAL
    • ORDERED that the following procedures shall be observed for court approval of settlements:
    • Effective: August 2, 2015
13. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.03 Document Caption for Petition to Determine Incapacity, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • DOCUMENT CAPTION FOR PETITION TO DETERMINE INCAPACITY
    • Petitions to determine incapacity may be captioned "IN RE THE DETERMINATION OF CAPACITY OF."
    • Effective: December 18, 1990
14. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.04 Appointment of Examining Committee Members, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The Chief Judge shall prepare a list of persons qualified to be members of an examining committee as required by statute.
    • Effective: March 4, 2019
15. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.05 Incapacity Orders FDLE Report Information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Incapacity Orders: FDLE Report Information Effective: November 14, 2023
    • shall include the following information pertaining to the person determined to be incapacitated or to be in need of a guardian advocate:
16. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.06 Professional Guardians, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Professional guardians must register with the Statewide Public Guardianship Office.
    • Professional Guardians Effective: September 2, 2002
17. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.07 Guardian Bonds in Veterans Guardianships, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The Clerk of Court is directed to screen all bonds posted by guardians appointed in veteran administration guardianships
    • Effective:September 5, 2002
18. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.08 Guardianship Education Requirements (v4), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Approval of Guardian Education Courses Effective: September 29, 2023
    • Guardianship education course requirements may be met by attending an approved course in-person or online if available.
19. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.09 Guardian Advocate Education, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Prior to a guardian advocate exercising his or her authority, the guardian advocate shall attend a training course approved by the Court.
    • Guardian Advocate Education Effective: May__30__, 2017
20. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.10 Guardianship Reports, Audits, and Budgets, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Guardianship Reports, Audits, and Budgets Effective: July 1, 2015
    • the guardian may elect to file a simplified accounting.
21. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.11 Guardianship Monitoring Program, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Guardianship Monitoring Program Effective: April 13, 1998
    • The guardianship monitoring program is designed to provide meaningful monitoring of each guardianship in order to provide maximum protection for the ward.
22. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.14 Determination of Homestead Property Prior to Determination of Creditors' Claims, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • In general, the Court will not enter an order determining homestead prior to the expiration of the publication period and the period for known creditors to file a claim.
    • the petitioner must file a motion showing good cause to do so and set a hearing before the presiding Judge.
    • Determination of Homestead Property Effective: January 30, 2015
23. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 7.15 Veterans Administration Guardianships, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • This Administrative Order shall apply to all guardianships governed by Veterans Guardianship Law, Part VIII of Chapter 744, Florida Statutes.
    • Veterans Administration Guardianships Effective: February 2, 2015
24. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 9.02 Assignment of Circuit and County Cases by Case Type in Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 9.02 (v 2018-1) ASSIGNMENT OF CIRCUIT AND COUNTY CASES BY CASE TYPE IN BAKER, BRADFORD, LEVY, GILCHRIST AND UNION COUNTIES
    • PROBATE: Uniform Case Numbering System "CP" and "GA"
    • Probate "CP" Estates and all estate matters relating to estate proceedings pursuant to Ch. 731, 732, 733, 734 and 735, Fla. Stat.
    • Estate matters such as Deposit of Will
    • Petitions to Amend Death Certificate pursuant to
    • Incapacities or restorations pursuant to Ch. 744, Fla. Stat.
    • Baker 02 Bradford 04 Gilchrist 21 Levy 38 Union 63
    • Assignment of Circuit and County Cases by Case Type Effective: March 20, 2018
25. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 9.03 (v 2026-3) General Assignments, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 9.03 (v 2026-3) GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS Effective August 24, 2026
    • FAMILY AND PROBATE DIVISION ASSIGNMENTS
    • Kristine Van Vorst
    • Jonathan D. Ramsey
    • Craig C. DeThomasis
    • Sean D. Brewer
    • William E. Davis,
    • Probate and Guardianship1
    • Probate and Guardianship1, Mental Health1
    • GENERAL MAGISTRATE AND HEARING OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS
    • Mikel Bradley,
    • Katherine Floyd,
    • Alachua County Pro Se Probate Cases
    • Circuit-wide Probate (Excluding Alachua County Pro Se Cases)
    • Circuit-wide Guardianship

    Note: The judge-to-county pairings for probate (page 2) and the general magistrate rows (page 4) were read from the rendered tables, because the text layer scrambles the table rows. Page 4: Mikel Bradley, General Magistrate, Alachua County Pro Se Probate Cases; Katherine Floyd, General Magistrate, Circuit-wide Probate (excluding Alachua County pro se cases) and Circuit-wide Guardianship. Rendered rows: Kristine Van Vorst, Baker; Jonathan D. Ramsey, Bradford; Craig C. DeThomasis, Levy; Sean D. Brewer, Gilchrist and Union; William E. Davis, Chief Judge, Alachua (Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health Divisions Q and S). Re-checked on 2026-10-16 against the downloaded PDF text, read in content-stream order (pdftotext -raw), which keeps each judge's county rows together; the pairings above match.

26. Eighth Judicial Circuit, AO 9.03 (v 2027-1) General Assignments, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 9.03 (v 2027-1) GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS Effective January 4, 2027
    • FAMILY AND PROBATE DIVISION ASSIGNMENTS
    • Kristine Van Vorst
    • Jonathan D. Ramsey
    • Adam Lee (eff. 1/5/27)
    • Lorelie P. Brannan
    • (eff. 1/1/27)
    • James M. Colaw
    • GENERAL MAGISTRATE AND HEARING OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS
    • Mikel Bradley,
    • Katherine Floyd,
    • Alachua County Pro Se Probate Cases
    • Circuit-wide Probate (Excluding Alachua County Pro Se Cases)
    • Circuit-wide Guardianship

    Note: The judge-to-county pairings for probate (page 2) and the general magistrate rows (page 4) were read from the rendered tables, because the text layer scrambles the table rows. Page 4: Mikel Bradley, General Magistrate, Alachua County Pro Se Probate Cases; Katherine Floyd, General Magistrate, Circuit-wide Probate (excluding Alachua County pro se cases) and Circuit-wide Guardianship. Rendered rows: Kristine Van Vorst, Levy; Jonathan D. Ramsey, Bradford; Adam Lee (eff. 1/5/27), Baker; Lorelie P. Brannan (eff. 1/1/27), Gilchrist and Union; James M. Colaw, Chief Judge, Alachua (Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health Divisions Q and S). Re-checked on 2026-10-16 against the downloaded PDF text, read in content-stream order (pdftotext -raw); the pairings above match. The order prints "Adam Lee (eff. 1/5/27)" and "Lorelie P. Brannan (eff. 1/1/27)" and labels Colaw "Chief Judge" in the Family and Probate table.

27. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Judicial Assignments, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 9.03 (v2026-3) General Assignments
    • 9.03 (v2027-1) General Assignments Effective January 4, 2027
    • 2026 Summary of General Assignments Effective August 24, 2026
    • 2027 Summary of General Assignments Effective January 4, 2027
28. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Forms and Checklists, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate Florida Probate Information (PDF) Affidavit of Heirs (PDF) Form - Affidavit of Heirs (PDF) Interested Parties, Formal Notice, & Waivers (PDF)
    • Summary Administration (PDF) Summary Administration Checklist (PDF)
    • Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration (PDF)
    • Stand-alone Homestead Petition (PDF)
    • Ancillary Administration Checklist
    • Case Management Checklist
    • Homestead Determination in Formal Administration
    • Petition for Administration (Intestate) Checklist
    • Petition for Administration (Testate) Checklist
    • Petition for Discharge
29. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Florida Probate Information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Florida Probate Information
    • If the decedent was a Florida resident, the case must be filed in the county where they were domiciled, that is, where they were an official resident.
    • If the decedent was not a Florida resident, then the case may be filed in any county where the decedent's property is located.
    • Florida Probate Rule 5.030(a) requires that a personal representative in a formal administration of an estate must be represented by an attorney.
    • For other proceedings that do not require formal administration, such as summary administration, disposition of personal property without administration, or disposition without administration in small estates, you are not required to be represented by an attorney.
    • Certified copy of decedent's death certificate
    • The original last will and testament and any codicils (if applicable)
    • Proof of service of formal notice of the petitions, or joinder, waiver, and consent to the petition by all interested parties
    • Self-represented (pro se) litigants may file petitions or other pleadings or documents in person with the Clerk of Court, by mail, or electronically using the Florida E-Filing Portal.
    • A formal administration may be filed when the estate assets exceed $150,000, and/or it is necessary to appoint a personal representative to act on behalf of the estate.
    • Summary administration may be filed when the value of the entire estate does not exceed $150,000, excluding exempt property, or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years.
    • Final expenses include funeral costs up to $6,000 or medical bills that incurred in the last 60 days of the decedent's life.
    • This extremely narrow proceeding may only be filed by direct lineal heirs in an estate where the decedent died without a will (intestate), has been deceased for at least one year, and only seeks to distribute certain exempt property and non-exempt personal property up to $20,000.
30. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Summary Administration Checklist, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Summary Administration Checklist
    • Did the deceased live in Alachua, Baker, Brandford, Gilchrist, Levy or Union County?
    • If no, the petition must be filed in the county where the deceased lived.
    • Are the estate's assets, both real and personal, equal to or less than $150,000?
    • Do you have a certified copy of the death certificate?
    • Have you completed the required Affidavit of Heirs?
31. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Disposition of Personal Property without Administration information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Disposition of Personal Property without Administration
    • This type of proceeding may only be filed by a person seeking reimbursement for final expenses paid on behalf of a decedent, or by a surviving spouse, or if no surviving spouse, children of the decedent.
    • Reimbursement not to exceed $6,000 in funeral expenses
    • Final expenses include funeral costs up to $6,000 or medical bills that incurred in the last 60 days of the decedent's life.
32. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Stand-alone Homestead Petition, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • PETITION TO DETERMINE HOMESTEAD STATUS OF REAL PROPERTY (standalone petition)
33. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Affidavit of Heirs information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • An Affidavit of Heirs is a sworn document that lists ALL RELATIVES OF THE DECEDENT.
    • In order to do that, an Affidavit of Heirs must be filed.
34. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Affidavit of Heirs sample form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRS
    • you must list ALL RELATIVES of the decedent
35. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Interested Parties, Formal Notice, and Waivers information, 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. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Petition for Summary Administration form, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • PETITION FOR SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION
    • An Affidavit of Heirs must be filed along with the petition.
37. Union County Clerk, Probate, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The Probate division of the Clerk's Office maintains court records of the assets or estates of deceased persons, trusts, appointments of guardians of minors, incapacitated persons, and adults who voluntarily request the appointment of a guardian of their property.
    • Pursuant to F.S. 732.901, the Custodian of the original Last Will and Testament of the deceased person must file and deposit the Will with the Clerk of the Circuit Court having venue of the estate of the decedent within 10 days after receiving information that the testator (a person who dies leaving a will) is deceased.
    • The statute also states that the custodian of the will must supply the clerk with the date of death and the Social Security number of the testator upon deposit.
    • there is no charge or filing fee to deposit a will
    • will receive a Receipt for Deposit of Will, which includes the case number, date of filing, and the seal of
    • you will receive 1 courtesy certified copy of the Will on Deposit.
    • certified copies of the will at the rate of $1.00 per page, plus a $2.00 charge for certification.
    • Please refer to F.S. 735.301 to determine if you are eligible for this type of process. This form may not be used when real property is involved.
    • Original Last Will and Testament of the decedent, if one exists
    • Death Certificate (original or certified copy from the Official Records Dept.) NO COPIES
    • Copy of the statement from the funeral home showing by whom the bill was paid
    • Signed and notarized consents from all heirs, if any
    • Affidavit of heirs
    • The filing fee is due at the time the Petition is filed.
    • If the judge approves the petition, an Order for Payment of Funds will be entered by the probate court, which directs that the assets in question be distributed as outlined in the petition.
    • (386) 496-3711
    • an asset with a named Beneficiary (life insurance or annuity)
    • Homestead Property (primary residence of Florida domicile)

    Note: The receipt sentence on this page names the Wakulla County Clerk of the Circuit Court, which looks like a template error; it is not repeated. Read in a web browser: the site blocks scripted requests.

38. Union County Clerk, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Court Services Marsy's Law Family Law Child Support/Alimony County Civil Court Domestic Violence Circuit Court Foreclosure Sales Juvenile Cases Probate
    • Search Court Records E-File

    Note: Read in a web browser: the site blocks scripted requests.

39. Union County Clerk, Contact, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Union County, Florida 55 West Main Street, Room 103 Lake Butler, FL 32054 Phone: (386) 496-3711

    Note: Read in a web browser: the site blocks scripted requests.

40. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Union County Clerk's Office, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Union County Courthouse, 55 West Main Street, Room 103, Lake Butler, FL 32054
    • Phone: (386) 496-3711 or (386) 496-4245
    • Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
41. Union County OCRS, Online Court Records Search, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Union County OCRS
42. Eighth Judicial Circuit, Union County, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Union County Courthouse 55 West Main Street Lake Butler, Florida 32054-1600
    • Judge Sean Brewer Circuit Court Judge
43. Union County Property Appraiser, Property Tax Exemptions, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State of Florida and in good faith makes it his or her permanent home is eligible to receive a homestead exemption of up to $50,000.
    • If filing for the first time, be prepared to provide the following information declaring that you were living in the dwelling which is being claimed for homestead exemption on January 1:
    • Any widow who is a permanent Florida resident may claim this exemption. If the widow remarries, she is no longer eligible.
    • You may be asked to file a death certificate with
44. Union County Property Appraiser, Important Dates, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Exemption applications due: March 1st.
45. Union County Property Appraiser, Contact Us, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Union County Property Appraiser 55 W Main St. Rm 109 Lake Butler, Florida 32054 phone: 386-496-3431
    • hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm (Mon-Fri, except holidays)
46. Union County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Union County Property Appraiser
47. Florida Department of Health in Union 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.
    • 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.
    • Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    • $15 Death Certificate $8 Additional Copies
    • 386-496-3211
48. Florida Department of Health in Union County, location, checked October 16, 2026
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    • Physical Address: 495 E Main St., Lake Butler, FL 32054
    • Phone: 386-496-3211