Hillsborough County Probate Guide
13th Judicial Circuit · Updated January 2026
Filing & Fees
Complete Fee Schedule
Source ↗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 |
Accepted Payment: Cash, Check, Money Order, Credit Card
Note: Fees based on Florida Statutes 28.2401. Contact clerk for any local variations.
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
Fees based on Florida Statutes 28.2401. Contact clerk for any local variations.
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
- Tampa Bay Times
- Duration
- Once a week for 2 consecutive weeks
- Deadline
- Within 60 days of appointment
- Est. Cost
- $150-$300
Alternatives: Tampa Tribune (archived)
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
- $0.70 per $100 of consideration
- Mortgage Rate
- $0.35 per $100 of debt
Guardianship
Guardianships are filed for both minors and incapacitated persons. Most guardianship matters in Florida require an attorney per Florida Probate Rule 5.030. When a guardianship petition is filed on an adult, an accompanying petition to determine incapacity is filed in the Mental Health Department.
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 of person
Guardian appointed to handle personal decisions for the ward
guardian of property
Guardian appointed to manage the ward's property and finances
guardian of person and property
Guardian appointed to handle both personal decisions and property
guardian of minor
Filed when minor child has inherited money or property in excess of $15,000 or received settlement funds over $15,000
guardian advocate
For persons who are developmentally disabled. No requirement for the ward to be examined by a committee.
voluntary guardianship
Filed when an adult person wants another person to handle their property
veterans guardianship
For individuals entitled to receive benefits from the VA, governed by Veterans Administration Guardianship Statutes Part VIII
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
Sources (6)
- https://www.hillsclerk.com/
- https://www.hillsclerk.com/court-services/probate-guardianship-and-trust
- https://www.hillsclerk.com/About-Us/Fees-and-Fines#Probate
- https://www.fljud13.org/
- Florida Statutes Title XLII (Estates and Trusts)
- Florida Statutes 28.2401 - Service charges and filing fees in probate matters