Bradford County Probate Court Records

Bradford County probate court records are filed with the Clerk of Courts in Starke and cover all estate administration cases, will deposits, guardianship proceedings, and related matters for residents of this small north Florida county. The Clerk serves the 8th Judicial Circuit and maintains the official probate case files, most of which are available for public inspection. This guide explains what types of probate apply in Bradford County, how to search existing cases, and where to find help when the process gets complicated.

Bradford County Clerk of Courts

The Bradford County Clerk of Courts in Starke handles all probate filings for the county. Clerk Denny Thompson maintains the official probate records and coordinates with the 8th Judicial Circuit for matters that require a judge's order. Bradford County is one of six counties in the 8th Circuit, which also serves Alachua, Baker, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties.

Bradford County is a small county and its clerk's office reflects that. Staff can often answer general questions about probate procedures and direct you to the right forms. However, they cannot give legal advice, and for complex estate matters you will want an attorney familiar with Florida probate law.

If you are not sure which county handles a particular estate, the Florida Clerks Find a Clerk tool can confirm jurisdiction and provide direct contact links for any Florida county. Probate is filed where the decedent was a legal resident at the time of death.

The Florida Clerks statewide directory makes it easy to locate and verify contact information for the Bradford County Clerk and all other Florida county clerks, particularly useful when you are dealing with multi-county estates.

The Find a Clerk search confirms the correct address, phone number, and website for the Bradford County Clerk, and provides links to online case search tools when available.

Types of Probate in Bradford County

Florida law sets out three types of probate proceedings. Bradford County courts handle all three. The choice depends on the estate's value, the type of assets involved, and the time elapsed since death.

Formal Administration

Formal Administration is the full probate process. It is required when a decedent's gross estate is worth more than $75,000 and death occurred less than two years ago. Chapter 733 of the Florida Statutes governs this process from start to finish. The court appoints a personal representative, who then manages the estate: identifying assets, paying off valid debts, notifying creditors as required by law, and distributing what remains to beneficiaries or heirs.

Real property owned solely in the decedent's name almost always goes through Formal Administration, since title companies and financial institutions need a court-issued order before they will transfer ownership. The process takes several months at minimum. Estates with no disputes and few assets on the simpler end of the scale can sometimes close in four to six months, while contested estates or those with complex assets can take much longer.

If there is no valid will, the estate is distributed according to Florida's intestacy laws under Chapter 732. The law sets a clear priority order starting with a surviving spouse and then children, parents, and more distant relatives.

Summary Administration

Summary Administration is a shorter, less costly process available when the estate is worth $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been deceased for two or more years. Chapter 735 controls this process. No personal representative is named. Instead, a petition is filed and the court issues an Order of Summary Administration that directs how assets are distributed. This can wrap up in weeks rather than months when the estate is straightforward.

Bradford County residents often use Summary Administration for smaller estates, especially those involving only bank accounts or personal property without real estate. The Bradford County Clerk can tell you what documents are required to open a Summary Administration case.

Disposition Without Administration

This is the simplest path and requires no formal court proceeding. It is only available when the estate has no real property, the assets are personal property only, and the total value does not exceed the decedent's last illness and funeral expenses (capped at $6,000). Filing must happen within two years of death. If approved, the clerk issues a letter directing whoever holds the assets to release them to the person who paid those bills. This is covered under Chapter 735.

Searching Bradford County Probate Records

Bradford County probate records are public court records. The Bradford County Clerk maintains case files for all probate proceedings in the county. Most cases can be searched online through the clerk's case management system, which is accessible from the clerk's website.

To search, you typically need the name of the decedent or the probate case number. Online searches show case status, document filings, and hearing dates. For certified copies or documents that cannot be accessed online, contact the clerk's office at (904) 966-6280 or visit in person at 945 North Temple Avenue in Starke.

Bring a photo ID when visiting the courthouse. Copy fees are set by state law and apply to most documents you request. Staff can help you locate specific items within a case file, though they cannot advise on legal strategy or what documents you should file.

Older records that predate electronic filing may be available only in physical form at the clerk's office. If you are looking for a case from many years ago, call ahead to confirm whether the file has been archived and how to access it.

Wills in Bradford County

If you have someone's will in your possession after they die, Florida law requires you to file it with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where that person lived. This must happen within 10 days of learning of the death. This rule is found in Chapter 732 and is mandatory. Failing to file a known will is a violation of Florida law.

Filing the will does not automatically open a probate case. It only places the will on the public record. If the estate needs to go through probate later, the will is already on file with the Bradford County Clerk. If no probate is needed, the will stays on record without further action.

Contact the Bradford County Clerk at (904) 966-6280 to confirm the fee for filing a will and whether a receipt is available for an additional charge. The general provisions of Chapter 731 cover filing requirements and fees applicable across Florida.

Florida Probate Statutes for Bradford County Cases

All Bradford County probate cases follow Florida's statewide probate code. Here is a summary of the key chapters that apply.

• Chapter 731: General probate provisions, definitions, and rules that apply across all case types.
• Chapter 732: Wills and intestate succession. Covers what happens when someone dies with or without a valid will.
• Chapter 733: Estate administration. Sets out the duties of the personal representative, creditor claim procedures, and how assets are distributed.
• Chapter 735: Small estates. Covers Summary Administration and Disposition Without Administration.
• Chapter 744: Guardianship. Governs proceedings to appoint a guardian for incapacitated adults or minors. Filed through the probate division in Bradford County.

Legal Help for Bradford County Estates

The Florida Courts Self-Help Center provides approved forms and instructions for people who want to handle probate themselves. This works best for simple estates that qualify for Summary Administration or Disposition Without Administration. The Florida Courts website also offers general probate guidance and links to statewide resources.

For more complex matters, seek a probate attorney who practices in the 8th Judicial Circuit. Three Rivers Legal Services provides civil legal aid to low-income residents of Bradford County and surrounding north Florida counties. The Florida Association of Court Clerks website has additional resources on what clerk offices provide and how to navigate the court system as a member of the public.

Cities in Bradford County

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

Communities in Bradford County include Starke (the county seat), Lawtey, Hampton, and Brooker. All probate filings for residents of these communities are handled at the Bradford County Clerk of Courts in Starke.

Nearby Counties

Bradford County is in north-central Florida and borders several counties, some within the 8th Circuit and others in neighboring circuits. Probate must be filed in the county where the decedent resided, so confirm residency before filing.