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Wakulla County probate help.
- Circuit
- 2nd Judicial Circuit
- Clerk probate line
- 850-926-0301
- E-filing
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
- Posted filing fees
- Formal administration $400.00Summary administration $345.00
- Last checked
- October 16, 2026
Clerk filing details, probate judge assignments, circuit administrative orders and local requirements for Wakulla County, each linked to its official page.
New-client intake is closed until late October 2026.
Map of Wakulla County, Florida.
Cities in Wakulla County
Crawfordville, Panacea, St. Marks, Sopchoppy, Medart. County seat: Crawfordville.
Wakulla County probate facts, checked October 16, 2026
Clerk and filing
| Office | Wakulla County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Address | Wakulla County Courthouse, 3056 Crawfordville Hwy., Crawfordville, FL 32327 wakullaclerk.org |
| Phone | 850-926-0301 |
| Hours | Courts Department: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| E-filing | Florida Courts E-Filing Portal |
| Case search | ClerkNet court records |
| Fee schedule | wakullaclerk.org |
E-filing and records search
- The clerk's home page links Court e-File to the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and Court Records Search to the online case records search. wakullaclerk.org
Probate filing fees posted by the clerk
| Filing | Posted fee | Statute basis |
|---|---|---|
| Formal administration | $400.00 | § 28.2401(1)(g) caps the fee at $395; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Summary administration, estate of more than $1,000 | $345.00 | § 28.2401(1)(e) caps the fee at $340; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Summary administration, estate of less than $1,000 | $235.00 | § 28.2401(1)(f) caps the fee at $230; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Petitions to open a safe-deposit box, to determine heirs, and for homestead property only | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(a) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Disposition of personal property without administration | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(d) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Petition to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies or exemplified copies | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(c) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Caveat or notice of trust | $41.00 | § 28.2401(1)(b) caps the caveat fee at $40 flsenate.gov |
| Deposit of a will | No charge (N/C) | Clerk fee schedule |
| Guardianship of the person and property | $400.00 | § 28.2401(1)(g) caps the fee at $395; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Guardianship of the person only, guardianship advocate, veteran's administration guardianship | $235.00 | § 28.2401(1)(h) and (i) cap the fees at $230; § 28.2401(3) adds $4 on the petition flsenate.gov |
| Petition for determination of incompetency | $231.00 | § 28.2401(1)(k) caps the fee at $230 flsenate.gov |
| Exemplified certificates (plus $1.00 per page for copies) | $7.00 | § 28.2401(1)(j) caps the fee at $7 flsenate.gov |
| Reopen fee | $50.00 | § 28.241(1) sets reopen fees for a pleading filed at least 90 days after a final order or judgment flsenate.gov |
Source: Wakulla County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. The schedule prints its own revision date, July 1, 2023. 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 certificates.
Judges and divisions
2nd Judicial Circuit. Serves Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties.
| Judge | Division | Assigned by | Order date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judge J. Layne Smith | Wakulla County, all circuit cases including probate and guardianship | AO 2026-02, Second Amendment | Signed August 21, 2026; effective immediately |
Courthouses that hear probate
- Wakulla County Courthouse, 3056 Crawfordville Hwy., Crawfordville, FL 32327; 850-926-0905 2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov probate assignment
- Florida Statutes § 26.021 places Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties in the Second Judicial Circuit. flsenate.gov
- Magistrates assigned to Wakulla County hear family cases with pro se parties, except uncontested family cases, simplified dissolution of marriage cases, termination of parental rights trials, juvenile delinquency and protective injunctions. 2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov
Administrative orders
Orders of the 2nd Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Wakulla County. Circuit order index.
- AO 2026-02, Second Amendment, Circuit and County Judge Assignments. Date: August 21, 2026 (effective immediately). Assigns all Wakulla County circuit criminal, civil, family, probate and guardianship cases to Judge J. Layne Smith and all county court cases to County Judge Brian Miller.
- AO 2026-04, Courthouse Security. Date: October 8, 2026 (effective immediately). Requires a bailiff to screen every visitor entering a courthouse, courtroom, hearing room or chambers in the Second Circuit.
Local requirements and forms
Wills
- The custodian of a will must file and deposit it with the clerk within 10 days after receiving information that the testator is deceased, and the clerk also requires a death certificate to be filed with the original will. There is no charge or filing fee to deposit a will. wakullaclerk.org
- On deposit the depositor receives a Receipt for Deposit of Will showing the case number, the date of filing and the clerk's seal, and one courtesy certified copy of the will on deposit. Further certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification charge. wakullaclerk.org
Small estates
- A disposition of personal property without administration needs the original will if one exists, the original or a certified copy of the death certificate (no copies), the funeral home statement showing who paid the bill, signed and notarized consents from all heirs, asset documents, and an affidavit of heirs. The process may not be used when real property is involved. wakullaclerk.org
- For a disposition 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. wakullaclerk.org
Guardianship
- A guardian of the property must be appointed for a minor who has received a settlement greater than $15,000. The clerk's Guardianship division audits and monitors guardianship files in Wakulla County. wakullaclerk.org
Hearings
- Judge Smith has no individual practices and procedures; filers follow the rules of procedure and court orders. 2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov
Checklists
- The clerk's Formal Administration opening checklist states that all orders provided to the court must show the persons to whom the order is copied, with self-addressed stamped envelopes (no return address) for mailing. wakullaclerk.org
Forms and checklists
- Clerk probate forms list: Affidavit of Heirs, Affidavit of Unclaimed Funds, Disposition packet, Formal Administration Checklists, Joinder, Waiver and Consent, Wakulla County Clerk
- Affidavit of Heirs, Wakulla County Clerk
- Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration packet, Wakulla County Clerk
- Formal Administration Checklist for Opening Estate, Wakulla County Clerk
- Formal Administration Checklist for Closing Estate, Wakulla County Clerk
- Joinder, Waiver and Consent, Wakulla County Clerk
- Affidavit of Unclaimed Funds under section 735.303, Wakulla County Clerk
- Circuit approved probate forms: Affidavit of Heirs, Formal Administration Opening and Closing Checklists, Summary Administration Checklist (Word), Second Judicial Circuit
Property and homestead
| Office | Wakulla County Property Appraiser |
|---|---|
| Homestead | Homestead exemption overview |
| Phone | 850-926-0500 |
| Address | 3115-A Crawfordville Hwy, Crawfordville, FL 32327 mywakullapa.com |
- A person who holds legal or beneficial title on January 1 and makes the property a permanent residence in good faith is eligible for homestead, and the deed must be recorded in the Wakulla County official records. mywakullapa.com
- The Property Appraiser's office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. mywakullapa.com
Death certificates
| Office | Florida Department of Health in Wakulla County |
|---|---|
| Fee | $15 per death certificate; no checks accepted |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Crawfordville | 48 Oak St., Crawfordville, FL 32327, 850-926-0400 |
- Death certificates cover deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present; there is a 24-hour turn-around to print certificates. wakulla.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 family members and legal representatives. wakulla.floridahealth.gov
- VitalChek is the only vendor the Department of Health authorizes for online orders. wakulla.floridahealth.gov
Records and help
- Section 732.901 requires the custodian of a will to deposit it with the clerk within 10 days after learning of the death, and the clerk to keep the original for at least 20 years. flsenate.gov
- The Wakulla clerk's Courts Department is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, and the page says a filer with a deadline who comes between 4 and 5 p.m. is not late if the filing or payment is made the next day before closing at 4 p.m. wakullaclerk.org
Sources
Last checked: October 16, 2026. Each source shows the text that supports the facts above.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Florida Statutes § 26.021, judicial circuits (2026), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- (1) The first circuit is composed of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties.
- (2) The second circuit is composed of Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla Counties.
- 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
- Second Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Welcome to the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Second Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- The Chief Judge of each of Florida's 20 judicial circuits has administrative supervision over all courts within the circuit.
- Administrative orders provide guidance to court partners, the public, and to attorneys on a variety of topics, such as judge assignments, court processes, policies, and priorities within the circuit.
- Administrative Order 2026-02, Second Amendment (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2026-02
- SECOND AMENDMENT
- IN RE: CIRCUIT AND COUNTY JUDGE ASSIGNMENTS
- D. Effective Date: This Second Amendment shall be effective immediately and shall supersede Administrative Order 2026-02, First Amendment.
- DONE AND ORDERED in chambers in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 21st day of August 2026.
- FRANCIS J. ALLMAN CHIEF JUDGE
- VI. WAKULLA COUNTY
- A. Circuit Judge J. Layne Smith shall be assigned all circuit cases for criminal, civil, family, probate, guardianship, and appeals from final administrative orders of local government code enforcement boards
- B. County Judge Brian Miller shall be assigned all county court cases
- Administrative Order 2026-04, Courthouse Security (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2026-04
- IN RE: COURTHOUSE SECURITY
- All visitors entering any Courthouse, courtroom, hearing room, or chambers will be screened by a bailiff prior to entering.
- ORDERED, effective immediately:
- Second Judicial Circuit, Wakulla County courthouse page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Wakulla County 3056 Crawfordville Hwy. Crawfordville, FL 32327 850-926-0905
- Second Judicial Circuit, Circuit Approved Forms page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Probate Forms
- » Affidavit Of Heirs (Word)
- » Formal Administration Closing Checklist (Word)
- » Formal Administration Opening Checklist (Word)
- » Summary Administration Checklist (Word)
- Judge J. Layne Smith, Policies and Procedures (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Judge J. Layne Smith has no individual practices and procedures. Follow the rules of procedure and court orders.
- Wakulla County Clerk, Probate page, 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.
- 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.
- also requires that a death certificate be filed with the original will
- there is no charge or filing fee to deposit a will
- the depositor will receive a Receipt for Deposit of Will which includes the case number, date of filing, and the seal of the Wakulla County Clerk of the Circuit Court
- certified copies of the will at the rate of $1.00 per page, plus a $2.00 charge for certification
- This process 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 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.
- an Order for Payment of Funds will be entered by the probate court
- 3056 Crawfordville Hwy Crawfordville, FL. 32327 850-926-0301
- Wakulla County Clerk, Contact Us page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- The Courts Department is open 8 A.M. - 4 P.M. Monday - Friday.
- Anyone with a deadline for filing or paying who comes to the Wakulla County Courthouse between 4-5pm will not be considered late if they file/pay the next day before closing (at 4PM).
- 3056 Crawfordville Hwy. Crawfordville, FL 32327
- Wakulla County Clerk, Guardianship page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- A function of the Guardianship division of the Clerk's Office is to audit and monitor the guardianship files in Wakulla County.
- if a minor has received a settlement greater than $15,000, a guardian of his or her property must be appointed.
- Wakulla County Clerk, home page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Court e-File Click here to electronically file a court document.
- Court Records Search Click here to search for court case records.
- Wakulla County Clerk, Schedule of Fees & Service Charges (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- SCHEDULE OF FEES & SERVICE CHARGES
- Revised July 1st 2023
- PROBATE
- Deposit of Will
- N/C
- Petitions to open safe-deposit box
- Petition to determination of heirs
- Petition for Homestead Property only
- Caveat/Notice of Trust
- Disposition of personal property without administration
- Summary administration less than $1,000
- Summary administration greater than $1,000
- Formal administration
- GUARDIANSHIP
- Guardianship Person & Property
- Guardianship of Person Only
- Guardianship Advocate
- Veteran's Administration Guardianship
- Petition for determination of Incompetency
- Exemplified Certificates (plus $1.00 per page for copies)
- 231.00
- 235.00
- 345.00
- 400.00
- 41.00
- 50.00
- 7.00
Note: The PDF prints its own revision date, July 1st 2023. Dot leaders join each item to its amount, so items and amounts are quoted separately. Amounts as laid out on the schedule: deposit of will N/C; petition to open a safe-deposit box, to determine heirs, for homestead property only, to admit foreign wills or authenticated or exemplified copies, and disposition of personal property without administration 231.00 each; caveat or notice of trust 41.00; summary administration under $1,000 235.00 and over $1,000 345.00; formal administration 400.00; reopen fee 50.00; guardianship of person and property 400.00; guardianship of the person only, guardianship advocate and veteran's administration guardianship 235.00 each; petition for determination of incompetency 231.00; exemplified certificates 7.00.
- Wakulla County Clerk, Forms page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Affidavit of Heirs
- Affidavit of Unclaimed Funds
- Disposition of Personal Property without Administration-Packet
- Formal Administration Checklist for Closing Estate
- Formal Administration Checklist for Opening Estate
- Joinder, Waiver and Consent
- Wakulla County Clerk, Affidavit of Heirs (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- IN AND FOR WAKULLA COUNTY, FLORIDA
- AFFIDAVIT OF HEIRS
- Wakulla County Clerk, Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration packet (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- ****$231.00 filing fee required****
- Wakulla County Clerk, Formal Administration Checklist for Opening Estate (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- (All orders provided to the court must show the persons to whom the order is copied; and self-addressed stamped envelopes (with no return address) shall be provided for mailing)
- Wakulla County Clerk, Formal Administration Checklist for Closing Estate (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- (All orders provided to the court must show the persons to whom the order is copied;
- Wakulla County Clerk, Joinder, Waiver and Consent (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- JOINDER, WAIVER AND CONSENT
- Wakulla County Clerk, Affidavit of Unclaimed Funds, section 735.303 (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- AFFIDAVIT UNDER SECTION 735.303, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO OBTAIN BANK PROPERTY OF
- Wakulla County Property Appraiser, Real Property (homestead) page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- A person who, on January 1, has legal title or beneficial title in equity to real property in the State of Florida and who in good faith makes the property his or her permanent residence is eligible.
- The deed or instrument granting ownership to the property must be recorded in the official records of Wakulla County.
- Widow and widowers who are permanent residents of Florida and who have not remarried are eligible.
- If a husband and wife are divorced and one of them dies, the survivor is not eligible.
Note: mywakullapa.com answers scripted requests with a Cloudflare browser check (HTTP 403), so this page was read in a browser on October 16, 2026 and the source checker cannot re-read it.
- Wakulla County Property Appraiser, Contact Us page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- 3115-A Crawfordville Hwy
- Crawfordville, FL 32327
- 850-926-0500
- Office Hours: M-F 8:00AM-5PM
Note: Read in a browser on October 16, 2026; scripted requests receive a Cloudflare browser check (HTTP 403).
- Wakulla County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
Supporting text
- Wakulla County Property Appraiser
Note: Read in a browser on October 16, 2026; scripted requests receive a Cloudflare browser check (HTTP 403).
- Florida Department of Health in Wakulla 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.
- open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- There is a 24-hour turn-around timeframe to print certificates.
- $15 per death certificate
- No checks accepted
- Florida Department of Health in Wakulla County 850-926-0400
- 48 Oak St. Crawfordville, FL 32327
- Order death certificates online through VitalChek® , the only vendor authorized by the Florida Department of Health.
