Find Probate Court Records in Baker County

Baker County probate court records document estate proceedings, will deposits, guardianship cases, and related legal matters filed with the Clerk of Courts in Macclenny. Baker County is a smaller rural county in northeast Florida, and its probate caseload reflects that scale, but the same Florida statutes that govern the state's largest counties apply here. This page covers how to find records, what types of probate apply, and where to get help if you need it.

Baker County Clerk of Courts

Probate cases in Baker County are filed with the Clerk of Courts in Macclenny. The Clerk, Stacie D. Harvey, maintains all probate records for the county. Baker County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties.

The Baker County Courthouse is in Macclenny, the county seat. If you need to file probate paperwork, visit the clerk's office in person during business hours. For smaller, simpler estates, you may be able to handle some steps by mail, but confirm with the clerk's office first since requirements can vary.

Baker County uses the same statewide case management system as other Florida counties, so probate case information can often be looked up through the online portal. The Florida Clerks Find a Clerk tool can also help verify contact details and direct links to the Baker County Clerk's online resources.

The Florida Association of Court Clerks provides a statewide directory for locating county clerk offices, including Baker County, with up-to-date contact information and links to online portals.

The Find a Clerk tool is useful when you are not sure which county has jurisdiction or need quick access to a specific clerk's contact page.

Types of Probate Available in Baker County

Florida law provides three ways to settle an estate after someone dies. The right choice depends on the size of the estate, what kinds of assets are involved, and how long the person has been gone. Baker County courts handle all three types.

Formal Administration

Formal Administration is the full probate process. It is required when the estate's gross value exceeds $75,000 and the death occurred within the past two years. The process is governed by Chapter 733 of the Florida Statutes. A personal representative (executor) is appointed by the court. That person is then responsible for notifying creditors, gathering and inventorying assets, paying valid debts, and distributing what's left to heirs. Real property almost always goes through Formal Administration because title companies and banks require a court order before they will transfer ownership.

The timeline for Formal Administration varies. Simple estates with no disputes and few assets might close in four to six months. Complex estates with disputes, multiple creditors, or real property in multiple counties can take much longer. Attorney fees in Florida probate are set by statute as a percentage of the estate value, though they can be negotiated differently by agreement.

Summary Administration

Summary Administration is faster and less expensive. It applies when the estate is worth $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for two or more years. Chapter 735 of Florida law governs this process. No personal representative is appointed. Instead, a petition is filed and the court issues an Order of Summary Administration directing how the assets should be distributed. The Baker County Clerk's office can tell you what documents are needed to file a Summary Administration petition.

Disposition Without Administration

This is the most limited option. It only works when there is no real property, the entire estate consists of personal property (cash, bank accounts, personal items), and the total value does not exceed the amount owed for last illness costs and funeral expenses, capped at $6,000. The filing must be made within two years of the date of death. If the clerk approves the application, a letter is issued directing whoever holds the assets to release them to the person who paid those bills. No court hearing is required. This option is covered under Chapter 735.

Searching Baker County Probate Records

Baker County probate records are public court records. You can search them online through the Baker County Clerk's website at bakerclerk.com. Case searches typically allow you to look up by the decedent's name, the case number, or the date a case was filed.

For certified copies or records that are not available online, contact the clerk's office by phone at (904) 259-8113 or visit in person. Bring the name of the decedent and, if you have it, the case number. Staff can help you locate specific documents within a case file. Copy fees are set by state law and apply per page for most documents.

Public records requests can also be submitted in writing. If you are searching for older records that predate the electronic filing system, an in-person visit is usually the best approach since older files may be archived.

Wills and Filing Deadlines

Anyone who has a person's will in their possession after that person dies is legally required to file it with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the decedent lived. This must happen within 10 days of learning of the death. This rule comes from Chapter 732 of the Florida Statutes and is not optional.

Filing the will does not automatically open a probate case. It simply places the will on record. If the estate needs to go through probate, the will is already on file and can be used as part of the probate petition. If no probate is needed, the will stays on record but no further action is taken.

Baker County, like all Florida counties, follows the same will-filing rule. Contact the Baker County Clerk at (904) 259-8113 if you are unsure how to file a will or what fee applies for issuance of a receipt.

Florida Statutes That Apply to Baker County Probate

Baker County courts follow the same Florida probate statutes as every other county in the state. The key chapters are:

• Chapter 731: General provisions and definitions that apply to all probate proceedings.
• Chapter 732: Wills and intestate succession (dying without a will). Sets out who inherits and in what order when there is no valid will.
• Chapter 733: Administration of estates. Covers the duties of personal representatives, creditor notification periods, asset inventories, and final distribution.
• Chapter 735: Small estates. Governs Summary Administration and Disposition Without Administration for estates that qualify.
• Chapter 744: Guardianship. Covers proceedings to appoint a guardian for an incapacitated person or a minor. These cases are often filed alongside probate matters.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Probate can be hard to navigate on your own, especially for larger estates or situations where heirs disagree. The Florida Courts Self-Help Center has forms and step-by-step instructions for people handling their own probate cases without an attorney. This works best for simple estates using Summary Administration or Disposition Without Administration.

The Florida Courts website provides general probate information and links to official court forms approved for use statewide. The Florida Association of Court Clerks also has resources for understanding how clerks work and what services they provide.

For legal advice specific to a Baker County estate, consult a probate attorney licensed in Florida. The Jacksonville Bar Association (serving the surrounding northeast Florida area) can provide referrals. Three Rivers Legal Services provides civil legal aid to low-income residents of Baker County and surrounding counties.

Cities in Baker County

Baker County is a small, rural county in northeast Florida. No cities in Baker County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.

Communities in Baker County include Macclenny (the county seat), Glen St. Mary, and Sanderson. Residents of all these communities file probate cases at the Baker County Clerk's office in Macclenny.

Nearby Counties

Baker County is located in northeast Florida and shares borders with several surrounding counties. If a decedent lived close to a county line, confirm which county they were a resident of before filing.