Duval County Probate Guide
4th Judicial Circuit · Updated January 2026
Filing & Fees
Complete Fee Schedule
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
Formal Administration Standard probate for larger estates | $401 |
Summary Administration (under $1,000) Simplified probate for smaller estates | $236 |
Disposition Without Administration For very small estates | $232 |
Ancillary Administration For out-of-state decedents with property in this state | $401 |
Caveat File notice to prevent probate without notification | $42 |
Notice of Trust Required filing when settlor dies | $42 |
Guardianship (Person Only) Guardian of the person only | $235 |
Guardianship (Property Only) Guardian of property only | $400 |
Guardianship (Person & Property) Full guardianship | $400 |
Accepted Payment: Cash, Check, Money Order, Credit Card
Note: Fee for receiving money into Registry of the Court is 3% of first $500 plus 1.5% of each subsequent $100.
Guardianship Fees
Document Fees
Ongoing Estate Fees
Annual Accounting (by estate value)
Inventory Audit Fee
Court Registry Fee
Fee for holding funds in court registry
Formula: 3% of first $500 + 1.5% of each subsequent $100
Fee for receiving money into Registry of the Court is 3% of first $500 plus 1.5% of each subsequent $100.
Required Documents
- Petition for Administration (Form 500.100)
- Certified Death Certificate
- Original Will (if any)
- Oath of Personal Representative (Form 500.300)
- Designation of Resident Agent (Form 500.400)
- Bond (if required by will or court)
- Notice of Administration (Form 500.600)
- Inventory (Form 500.500)
- Accounting (Form 500.700)
E-Filing & Filing Methods
Source ↗Timelines & Proceedings
Deadlines & Creditor Claims
Key Deadlines
- Will Deposit
- 10 days
- Creditor Claims
- 3 months
- Known Creditor Notice
- 30 days
Creditor Claims
- Period Starts
- first publication of Notice to Creditors
- Statute
- F.S. 733.702
Publication Requirements
Notice to Creditors
- Newspaper
- Florida Times-Union
- Duration
- Once a week for 2 consecutive weeks
- Deadline
- Within 60 days of appointment
- Est. Cost
- $150-$300
Alternatives: Clay Today, Nassau County Record
Notice of Petition/Administration
Must be sent within 90 days to:
- Beneficiaries
- Known creditors
- Surviving spouse
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Recording Fees
- First Page
- $10.00
- Additional Pages
- $8.50
Documentary Stamps
- Deed Rate
- $0.60 per $100 of consideration
- Mortgage Rate
- $0.35 per $100 of debt
Guardianship
Guardianship is a legal process where a court appoints someone to manage the affairs of an incapacitated person or minor.
Filing Fees
- Person Only
- $236
- Property/Estate
- $401
plenary guardian
Full guardianship - exercises all delegable legal rights and powers of the ward
limited guardian
Partial guardianship - exercises only specific rights designated by court order
Guardian Training
Report Deadlines
- Initial Plan
- 60 days
- Annual Plan
- 90 days
- Inventory
- 60 days
Preneed Guardian Declaration
Allows a person to designate their preferred guardian before incapacity occurs.
⚠ Attorney required for guardianship proceedings
Court Rules & Orders
Local Rules
- E-filing mandatory for all attorneys
- Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order 2023-1401 effective July 1, 2025 substantially revises Rule 2.525 regarding Electronic Filing
- Every guardian and personal representative must be represented by an attorney admitted to practice in Florida (Probate Rule 5.030)
Sources (3)
- https://www.duvalclerk.com/departments/civil-court-services/probate
- https://www.duvalclerk.com/about/fee-schedules
- Florida Statutes 28.2401 - Service charges and filing fees in probate matters