Search North Port Probate Court Records

North Port residents file probate cases through Sarasota County, which is served by the 12th Judicial Circuit. The Sarasota County Courthouse in Sarasota handles all probate matters for the county, including estates opened in North Port. This page explains where to file, how to search records, what case types are available, what fees apply, and where to find legal help locally.

Which County Handles Probate for North Port

North Port is in Sarasota County. All probate cases for North Port residents are filed with the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Florida law requires probate to be opened in the county where the decedent lived at the time of death, so Sarasota County is the correct jurisdiction for most North Port estates.

The main courthouse is in Sarasota, roughly 20 miles north of North Port. However, there is a Venice branch courthouse at 4000 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293, which is much closer to North Port residents. Some probate filings can be handled at the Venice branch, though the full probate division operates from the main courthouse in Sarasota. It is worth calling ahead to confirm which office can handle your specific filing.

The 12th Judicial Circuit covers three counties: DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota. Each county has its own clerk. North Port is the largest city in Sarasota County by geographic area, and its population has grown rapidly, making it one of the more active areas for probate filings in the circuit.

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

How to Search North Port Probate Records

The Sarasota County Clerk provides an online case search at sarasotaclerk.com. You can look up probate cases by decedent name, case number, or filing date. Most probate filings are public record in Florida, though inventories and accountings are confidential under state law and are not available in the public search results.

To search, you need at least the decedent's last name. Knowing the approximate year of death helps narrow results. Case numbers follow the standard Florida format: two-digit year, county code for Sarasota, and a sequence number.

Certified copies of court documents can be requested from the clerk. You can make requests in person at the main courthouse or the Venice branch, by mail, or through the online portal for some document types. There is a per-page fee for copies and a per-document certification fee.

The 12th Circuit court portal provides additional case information and scheduling details for all Sarasota County probate filings, including those for North Port residents.

The circuit's site at jud12.flcourts.org contains general court information, case schedules, and self-help resources relevant to North Port probate cases.

Note that North Port city offices do not maintain any probate records. All case files are held by the Sarasota County Clerk, accessible through the county's online portal or in person.

Types of Probate Cases Filed in Sarasota County

Florida law provides several ways to handle an estate. The right choice depends on the estate's value and when the person died. All of the following types are filed through the Sarasota County Clerk for North Port residents.

Formal Administration is required when the non-exempt assets of the estate exceed $75,000. This is the full probate process. It involves appointing a personal representative, notifying creditors, filing a confidential inventory, paying valid claims, and getting court approval before distributing assets. The process typically runs six months to over a year, depending on the size and complexity of the estate.

Summary Administration is available when the estate value is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years regardless of value. It is faster and less expensive. The court can approve a petition without appointing a personal representative in most cases. For small, simple estates, this can sometimes be completed in a few weeks.

Disposition Without Administration is the simplest option. It applies 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 require a court hearing or a judge's approval.

Under Florida Statute 732.901, any will must be deposited with the clerk within 10 days of the testator's death. This is required even if no probate will be opened. The clerk maintains the will as a public record that any interested party can inspect.

North Port does not have a city-level probate process. All case types listed above are handled through the Sarasota County Clerk, either at the main courthouse in Sarasota or at the Venice branch.

Probate Filing Fees in Sarasota County

Sarasota County uses Florida's standard probate fee structure. State law sets the base fees, which apply uniformly across counties, though some local surcharges may vary. Here is what to expect when opening a probate case for a North Port estate.

For formal administration, the filing fee is typically around $400, and may go higher depending on the number of filings and the complexity of the case. Summary administration petitions generally cost between $235 and $300. Additional costs include certified copies of court documents, recording fees, and the cost of publishing a notice to creditors in a Sarasota County newspaper.

If a bond is required for the personal representative, the bond premium depends on the size of the estate. Attorney fees in Florida probate are governed by statute. They start at 3% of the first $1 million in gross estate value, with a sliding scale above that. These are separate from court filing fees.

Fee amounts change from time to time. Always confirm current figures with the Sarasota County Clerk before filing. The fee schedule is posted online at sarasotaclerk.com.

Legal Resources for North Port Residents

If you need help with a probate case in North Port, several local resources are available. The Sarasota County Bar Association has a lawyer referral program that can connect you with a probate attorney in the area. Contact them through their website for more information.

Gulf Coast Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-eligible residents in Sarasota County. They handle some probate matters depending on case type and eligibility. Their offices serve North Port and the broader Sarasota area.

The Florida Bar's Find a Lawyer tool at floridabar.org lets you search for probate attorneys by county. Filter by Sarasota County to find attorneys with experience in 12th Circuit probate cases.

Florida probate law is in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes, available at leg.state.fl.us. Reading through the relevant sections helps you understand what steps are needed before you start the process, especially if you are considering filing without an attorney.

The 12th Circuit also maintains self-help resources on its website at jud12.flcourts.org. These can be useful for understanding how probate cases move through the court in Sarasota County.

The Probate Process for North Port Estates

When someone who lives in North Port dies with assets that require probate, the process starts at the Sarasota County Courthouse in Sarasota, or in some cases at the Venice branch. Here is a general outline of how formal administration works.

First, 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 the court approves, it issues letters of administration. These give the personal representative legal authority to act on behalf of the estate.

After appointment, the personal representative notifies all known creditors directly and publishes a notice to creditors in a Sarasota County newspaper. 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. The inventory is not available to the public.

Once the creditor period ends, valid claims are paid from estate funds. The personal representative then files a final accounting and petitions for discharge. The court reviews the accounting and, if everything is in order, closes the estate and discharges the personal representative.

Summary administration is much shorter. A petition and a proposed distribution order are filed together. If approved, assets can transfer within a few weeks. No personal representative is appointed and there is generally no creditor publication required.

North Port has a large and growing population, many of them retirees. That means probate filings are common. For straightforward summary administrations, some families handle the filing without an attorney. For formal administration or any case involving disputes, a probate attorney familiar with the 12th Circuit is worth the cost.

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