Gainesville Probate Court Records Search

Probate court records for Gainesville estates are filed with the Alachua County Clerk of Courts at the Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center. When a Gainesville resident dies and their estate goes through probate, all case documents become part of the 8th Judicial Circuit's public record. This page explains how to find and access those records, what the filing process involves, and what types of cases are handled in Alachua County.

Which Court Handles Gainesville Probate

Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County and the home of the 8th Judicial Circuit. Probate cases for Gainesville residents are filed with the Alachua County Clerk of Courts. Clerk J.K. "Jess" Irby oversees the office. The main filing location is the Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center on East University Avenue, just a few blocks from the University of Florida campus.

The 8th Judicial Circuit is larger than many Florida circuits. It covers six counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union. Each county has its own clerk's office. When a Gainesville resident's estate is filed, it goes to the Alachua County clerk specifically, not to one of the other circuit counties. The probate judges for the 8th Circuit are based in Gainesville and hear the bulk of the circuit's estate cases.

See the Alachua County probate records page for a complete county-level overview, including all filing contacts and division details.

How to Search Gainesville Probate Records

The Alachua County Clerk of Courts provides online case access through its website at alachuaclerk.org. The public search portal lets you look up cases by the decedent's name, case number, or other identifiers. Most probate cases filed in recent years are available through the online system. For older records, contact the clerk directly or visit in person.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com provides another way to search civil and probate dockets statewide. You can search Alachua County probate cases through this system without creating an account for basic docket lookups. Viewing actual documents may require visiting the courthouse or requesting certified copies.

When searching, you will need either the full name of the deceased or the case number. If you only have a name and approximate date of death, search a range of filing years. The clerk's search tool returns case names and filing dates, which can help narrow results if multiple people share the same name.

The image below shows the Gainesville city website, which provides community context and links to local services that residents may need during the probate process.

The City of Gainesville Florida website offers local government information and resources that can complement your search for probate court records.

The city site does not maintain court records but can point residents to local legal services and community assistance programs available during the estate process.

Types of Probate Cases Filed in Alachua County

Florida law provides several ways to administer a decedent's estate. The right procedure depends on the estate's value and how much time has passed since death. Gainesville residents use the same statewide rules that apply across Florida under Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes.

Formal administration handles estates worth more than $75,000. The process involves petitioning the court to open the estate, appointing a personal representative, publishing a notice to creditors, inventorying assets, paying valid debts, and then distributing what remains. Florida law requires an attorney in most formal administration cases. Expect the process to take at least six months. If creditors dispute claims or heirs disagree on distribution, cases can stretch to a year or longer.

Summary administration is faster and less expensive. It applies when the estate is $75,000 or less in gross value, or when the decedent has been dead for two or more years regardless of estate size. The personal representative step is skipped entirely. Instead, the court issues an order of summary administration that tells financial institutions and other parties how to transfer assets. Many Gainesville families use this path when estates are modest.

Disposition without administration is the simplest option. It works when the estate has no real property, no significant creditor claims, and the total assets are limited to covering funeral and final medical expenses, with a total value under $6,000. The clerk handles this without a full court proceeding.

Ancillary administration applies when a non-Florida resident died owning property in Alachua County or elsewhere in Florida. The home state's court handles the main probate, but a Florida ancillary proceeding is needed to transfer the Florida property.

Probate Filing Fees in Alachua County

The Alachua County Clerk charges filing fees based on Florida statute guidelines and local fee schedules. Fees change periodically, so always confirm current amounts before you file. Below are general ranges based on typical Florida probate fee structures.

Formal administration cases start with an opening fee that varies by estate size, generally in the range of $400 or more. Each motion or petition filed after opening carries a separate fee. Certified copies of court documents cost around $1.00 to $2.00 per page plus a certification charge per document. Exemplified copies, which some agencies require, cost more.

Summary administration fees are lower. The petition to open a summary administration typically runs between $235 and $400 in most Florida counties. The Alachua County clerk can give you the exact current amount when you call.

Disposition without administration carries a smaller fee, usually under $100. Call (352) 374-3636 to confirm the current rate for this type of filing before submitting documents.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. You submit an affidavit of indigency with the clerk. The court reviews it and, if approved, waives the filing fee. Ask the clerk's office for the affidavit form when you call or visit.

The image below shows the Alachua County Clerk of Courts website, which hosts the current fee schedule and filing instructions for probate cases in Gainesville.

Visit alachuaclerk.org to find the current Alachua County probate fee schedule, downloadable forms, and contact information for the civil division.

The clerk's site also lists mailing addresses and drop-box locations for submitting documents without a trip to the courthouse window.

Public Access and Record Confidentiality

Most probate records in Alachua County are open to the public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, Florida's public records law. Anyone can request and inspect petitions, wills admitted to probate, inventories, court orders, and final discharge documents. You do not need to be a family member or a party to the case.

Wills deposited before death are confidential. Once a person dies, any will they deposited with the clerk must be filed within 10 days under section 732.901 of the Florida Statutes. After that deposit and the opening of a probate case, the will becomes a public document.

Some financial account numbers and personal identifiers within documents may be redacted before public inspection. Guardianship records involving minors or incapacitated adults carry additional privacy protections and may not be fully open to the general public.

To get copies, visit the Alachua County clerk's office, call (352) 374-3636 to ask about mail or online requests, or check the clerk's website for any e-request options. Include the case name, case number, a list of the documents you need, and a form of payment when submitting requests by mail.

Legal Resources for Gainesville Residents

Three Oaks Legal Group and other local law firms handle probate work in the Gainesville area. The Alachua County Bar Association at alachuacountybar.org has a referral service to connect you with a licensed probate attorney. The Florida Bar's statewide referral service is available at floridabar.org.

For residents who cannot afford an attorney, North Central Florida Legal Services provides civil legal aid to low-income residents in Alachua and surrounding counties. You can reach them through the Florida Legal Services network at floridajustice.org.

The full Florida Probate Code runs from Chapter 731 through Chapter 735 of the Florida Statutes. Chapter 733 covers formal administration step by step. Chapter 735 covers summary administration and disposition without administration. These statutes are free to read on the Florida Legislature's official website and give you a clear picture of the process before you hire an attorney or file on your own.

The University of Florida's Levin College of Law also maintains community legal clinics that sometimes cover estate matters. Contact the law school directly to ask about current clinic availability and eligibility requirements.

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