Walton County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The Walton County circuit court does not require a paper follow-up of original documents that were e-filed, unless a court order, Florida statute or rule of procedure requires the original. waltonclerkfl.gov

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Probate Division fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. The clerk's page prints "Summary Administration $1000" on two lines, $235.00 on the first and $345.00 on the second, and does not state which estate size each applies to. Section 28.2401(1)(e) and (f) set separate amounts for estates of $1,000 or more and under $1,000. 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 page also lists guardianship audit fees of $85.00 (verified inventory), $20.00, $85.00, $170.00 and $250.00 by estate size.

Judges and divisions

1st Judicial Circuit. Serves Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

Courthouses that hear probate

• Walton County Courthouse, Probate Division, 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433; (850) 892-8115 waltonclerkfl.gov probate assignment

• Florida Statutes § 26.021 places Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties in the First Judicial Circuit. flsenate.gov
• The Walton directive index (revised March 20, 2025) lists directive 1991-01, New Requirements for Guardians as Required by Florida Statute, and the Walton County Division Assignments. cdn.sanity.io

Administrative orders

Orders of the 1st Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Walton County. Circuit order index.

• WCAD 2025-02, Walton County Division Assignments. Date: October 1, 2025 (effective January 1, 2026). Assigns Probate/Guardianship, with Circuit Criminal and Writs/Appeals, to Judge J. Ryan Love; Family Law to Judge Jonathan Schlechter; Circuit Civil, Dependency and Juvenile Delinquency to Judge Jeffrey E. Lewis.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and venue

• Every guardian and every personal representative must be represented by a Florida attorney unless the personal representative is the sole interested person (Probate Rule 5.030, cited by the clerk). waltonclerkfl.gov

Wills

• The will must be filed with the clerk within ten days after a death, and there is no fee to file a will. waltonclerkfl.gov

Forms

• The clerk's Will & Probate page says forms are available through the Florida Bar. waltonclerkfl.gov

E-filing

• The Walton County circuit court does not require a paper follow-up of original documents that were e-filed, unless a court order, Florida statute or rule of procedure requires the original. waltonclerkfl.gov

Guardianship

• A guardianship accounting includes all supporting bank statements, receipts, invoices or cancelled checks, and other documents needed for validation. A plan includes a current physician's report unless exempt. waltonclerkfl.gov

Forms and checklists

• Clerk Will & Probate page: location, will filing and forms guidance, Walton County Clerk

Property and homestead

• Exemption applications are due by March 1 of the year for which they apply, and failing to apply by March 1 waives the exemption for that year. waltonpa.com
• A widow or widower who has not remarried is eligible for the widow exemption; a surviving spouse who was divorced from the decedent is not. waltonpa.com
• The Property Appraiser's office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. waltonpa.com

Death certificates

• Death certificates cover deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present, and a copy of a valid ID goes with every request. walton.floridahealth.gov
• VitalChek is the only vendor the Department of Health authorizes for online orders. walton.floridahealth.gov
• The main office is at 362 State Hwy 83, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433, phone 850-892-8015. walton.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 clerk's court records search opens with a public records case search disclaimer that the user accepts. waltonclerkfl.gov

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 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.
3. 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.
4. 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
5. First Judicial Circuit of Florida, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • First Judicial Circuit of Florida

   Note: The page body is client-rendered; its data file states that the circuit serves Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties.

6. First Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders by title (PDF, August 14, 2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
   • By Title
   • @ August 14, 2026
7. Walton County Administrative Directive WCAD2025-02, Division Assignments (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE NO: WCAD2025-02
   • IN RE: WALTON COUNTY DIVISION ASSIGNMENTS
   • division assignments shall be effective
   • January 1, 2026, and remain effective until further notice:
   • Judge J. Ryan Love Circuit Criminal
   • Probate/Guardianship
   • Writs/Appeals
   • DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, this the 1st day of October,
   • J. RYAN LOVE
   • ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE

   Note: The two-column layout lists the assignments under each judge; read on the page: Judge J. Ryan Love hears Circuit Criminal, Probate/Guardianship, Writs/Appeals, and injunctions for protection against violence and first appearances; Judge Jeffrey E. Lewis hears Circuit Civil, Dependency, Juvenile Delinquency and Truancy; Judge Jonathan Schlechter hears Family Law; Judge Kelvin C. Wells hears the county court matters.

8. Walton County Administrative Directives index (PDF, revised 3.20.2025), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • WALTON COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVES
   • [revised 3.20.2025]
   • 1991-01 New Requirements for Guardians as Required by Florida Statute
   • Walton County Division Assignments
9. Walton County Clerk, Will & Probate page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Pursuant to 5.030 Probate Rules of Court every guardian and every personal representative, unless the personal representative remains the sole interested person, shall be represented by an attorney admitted to practice in Florida.
   • Walton County Courthouse Probate Division 571 U.S. Highway 90 East DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433 (850)892-8115
   • Walton County Courthouse Annex 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 (850)267-3066
   • Forms are available through the Florida Bar.
   • Wills are filed only after a death. The law requires the will to be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court within (10) ten days. There is no fee for filing a will.
   • Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Central Time, Except for Scheduled Holidays
10. Walton County Clerk, Probate Filing Fees page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate Filing Fees
    • Opening Any Estate - $231.00
    • Caveat - $41.00
    • Notice of Trust - $41.00
    • Foreign Wills - $231.00
    • Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration - $231.00
    • Summary Administration $1000 - $235.00
    • Summary Administration $1000 - $345.00
    • Formal Administration - $400.00
    • Guardianship Ancillary, Curatorship, and Conservatorship - $400.00
    • Guardianship (Person Only) - $235.00
    • Guardianship (Veterans) - $235.00
    • Determination of Incompetency - $231.00
    • Guardianship Audit Fees (Verified Inventory) - $85.00
    • Guardianship Audit Fees (Estates less than $25,000) - $20.00
    • Guardianship Audit Fees (Estates $25,000 to $100,000) - $85.00
    • Guardianship Audit Fees (Estates $100,000 to $500,000) - $170.00
    • Guardianship Audit Fees (Estates greater than $500,000) - $250.00
11. Walton County Clerk, E-Filing page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Florida Courts eFiling Portal
    • The Walton County Court of the Circuit Court does not require paper follow-up of original documents that have been previously e-filed, unless the original is required by Court Order, Florida Statute or Rule of Procedure.
12. Walton County Clerk, Guardianship Audits and Reporting page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Accountings should include all supporting bank statements, receipts, invoices, and/or cancelled checks (if receipts are unavailable), as well as any other necessary documents for validation.
    • Plans should include a current Physician’s Report (unless exempt) and any other necessary supporting documentation .
13. Walton County Clerk, Court Records Search, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Public Records Case Search Disclaimer
14. Walton County Property Appraiser, Real Property Tax Exemptions page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Application for these exemptions must be made by March 1st of the year for which you apply.
    • Failure to apply for any exemption by March 1st constitutes a waiver of the exemption for that year.
    • 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.
    • 571 U.S. Hwy 90 East
    • DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
    • 850-892-8123
    • Office Hours: M-F 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

    Note: waltonpa.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.

15. Walton County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Walton County Property Appraiser

    Note: Read in a browser on October 16, 2026; scripted requests receive a Cloudflare browser check (HTTP 403).

16. Florida Department of Health in Walton 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.
    • open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • $10 Death Certificate
    • Florida Department of Health in Walton County 850-892-8015
    • Order death certificates online through VitalChek® , the only vendor authorized by the Florida Department of Health.
17. Florida Department of Health in Walton County, main office, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Physical Address: 362 State Hwy 83, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 Phone: 850-892-8015