Fort Myers Probate Court Records

Fort Myers residents file probate cases through Lee County, which is served by the 20th Judicial Circuit. The Lee County Justice Center in Fort Myers handles all probate matters for estates opened here. This page covers how to find records, who to contact, what types of cases apply, what fees to expect, and where to get legal help in the area.

Which County Handles Probate for Fort Myers

Fort Myers is the county seat of Lee County. That means the probate courthouse is right in the city itself, which is convenient for residents who need to file or check on a case in person. All probate cases for Fort Myers residents are filed with the Lee County Clerk of Court.

Florida law requires probate to be opened in the county where the deceased person lived at the time of death. For Fort Myers residents, that is Lee County. The Lee County Justice Center at 1700 Monroe St is where the clerk's office and probate division are located.

The 20th Judicial Circuit covers five counties: Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee. Each county has its own clerk. Fort Myers is the largest city in the circuit and sits within Lee County, so all local probate work goes through the Justice Center on Monroe Street.

For more on Lee County probate procedures, fees, and local resources, see the Lee County probate records page.

How to Search Fort Myers Probate Records

The Lee County Clerk operates an online records search at leeclerk.org. You can look up probate cases by decedent name, case number, or filing date. Most probate filings in Florida are public record. Inventories and accountings are confidential under state law and will not appear in public search results.

To run a search, you need at least the decedent's last name. Knowing the year of death narrows results considerably. Case numbers follow the Florida statewide format: two-digit year, county code for Lee County, and a sequence number.

Since Fort Myers is the county seat, the clerk's office is close to hand for anyone who needs in-person help. Staff can assist with locating a case, explaining the case status, or processing a request for certified copies. There is a per-page fee for copies and an additional per-document certification fee.

The Fort Myers city website covers municipal services but does not maintain any court records. Probate case information is held by the Lee County Clerk, not any city office.

The Fort Myers city homepage provides city services information. For probate records, you go directly to the county clerk at leeclerk.org.

All probate filings and records for Fort Myers residents are maintained by the Lee County Clerk of Court, not by the city government.

Types of Probate Cases Filed in Lee County

Florida law offers several ways to handle a decedent's estate. The right option depends mainly on the size of the estate and when the person died. All of the following types are filed through the Lee County Clerk for Fort Myers residents.

Formal Administration is required when the estate's non-exempt assets exceed $75,000. This is the full probate process. A petition is filed, a personal representative is appointed, creditors are notified, an inventory is filed with the court, and valid debts are paid before assets are distributed. The process usually takes six months to over a year. Inventories are confidential and not viewable by the public.

Summary Administration applies when the estate is worth $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years regardless of estate value. It is faster and cheaper. No personal representative is required in most cases. The court reviews the petition and, if approved, can issue an order of distribution in a matter of weeks.

Disposition Without Administration is the simplest route. It is available only when there is no real property, the only debts are funeral and medical expenses, and total assets are under $6,000. This is handled at the clerk's counter and does not go before a judge.

Florida Statute 732.901 requires that any will be deposited with the clerk within 10 days of the testator's death. This applies even if no probate will be opened. The clerk holds the will as a public record. Anyone can view a deposited will.

Fort Myers does not have a separate city-level probate process. All case types listed above are handled through the Lee County Clerk at the Justice Center on Monroe Street.

Probate Filing Fees in Lee County

Lee County uses Florida's standard probate fee structure. State law sets base filing fees, and these are consistent across Florida counties, though some local surcharges may differ slightly.

For formal administration, the filing fee is typically around $400, and may be higher based on the number of documents and the complexity of the estate. Summary administration petitions generally cost between $235 and $300 to file. On top of these fees, you will also pay for certified copies of court documents, recording fees, and the cost of publishing a notice to creditors in a Lee County newspaper.

If the court requires a bond for the personal representative, the bond premium is tied to the size of the estate. Florida statute sets attorney fees for probate at 3% of the first $1 million in gross estate value, with a sliding scale above that. These fees are separate from filing costs.

Fee amounts can change. Confirm current figures with the Lee County Clerk before you file. The fee schedule is available on the clerk's website at leeclerk.org.

Legal Resources for Fort Myers Residents

If you need help with a probate case in Fort Myers, several local options are available. The Lee County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. You can contact them through their website to find probate attorneys who practice in the area.

Gulfcoast Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents in Lee County. They handle some probate matters depending on case type and client eligibility. Their Fort Myers office can be reached by phone or through their website for intake information.

The Florida Bar's Find a Lawyer tool at floridabar.org lets you search for probate attorneys by county. Filter by Lee County to find attorneys experienced with 20th Circuit probate matters in Fort Myers.

Florida probate law is found in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes, available at leg.state.fl.us. These chapters cover everything from how to open an estate to how to close it, and reading through the relevant sections can help you understand what to expect before you begin the process.

The 20th Circuit also maintains some self-help resources for people handling simple probate matters without an attorney. These are accessible on the court's website and at the Lee County Justice Center in Fort Myers.

The Probate Process for Fort Myers Estates

When someone who lives in Fort Myers dies with assets that need to go through probate, the process begins at the Lee County Justice Center on Monroe Street. Here is how formal administration generally works.

If there is a will, it must be filed with the clerk within 10 days of death. A petition for administration is then filed along with the death certificate and a proposed order appointing a personal representative. Once approved, the court issues letters of administration, which give the personal representative legal authority to act on behalf of the estate.

The personal representative then notifies all known creditors directly and publishes a notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Lee County. Creditors have three months from the date of first publication to file claims. A confidential inventory of estate assets must also be filed with the court during this time.

After the creditor period closes, valid claims are paid from estate funds. The personal representative then files a final accounting and petitions the court for discharge. The court reviews the accounting and, if it is satisfied, enters an order closing the estate and discharging the personal representative from further duty.

Summary administration is considerably shorter. A single petition with a proposed distribution order is filed together. If the court approves, assets can transfer in a matter of weeks. No personal representative is appointed and there is generally no creditor publication period.

Fort Myers has a relatively large retiree population, which means the Lee County probate court handles significant caseloads. Working with a probate attorney familiar with the 20th Circuit can speed things up and reduce the chance of procedural errors that cause delays.

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