Access DeSoto County Probate Court Records

DeSoto County probate court records are the official court documents created when a resident's estate is administered through the Florida court system, covering petitions, wills, creditor notices, asset inventories, and final closing orders. The DeSoto County Clerk of Courts in Arcadia maintains these filings, and the 12th Judicial Circuit's probate division handles court hearings, giving residents and researchers multiple ways to access case information.

DeSoto County Clerk of Courts

The DeSoto County Clerk of Courts office in Arcadia receives and processes all probate filings for the county. The clerk's office is the place to file petitions, deposit original wills, pay filing fees, and request certified copies of court documents. Staff can confirm whether a case is on file and tell you what documents the docket contains.

Call the clerk's office before visiting to confirm current hours and any specific instructions for probate filings. DeSoto County is a smaller county, and the clerk's office staff are typically knowledgeable about local procedures and can direct you to the right desk quickly. They can also tell you how to access case records online and whether you need to visit in person to view older documents.

The Florida Clerks of Court directory lists every county clerk in Florida and provides direct links to each county's website, including DeSoto County's online resources.

The image below is the Florida Clerks of Court directory, which you can use to quickly locate DeSoto County's clerk office contact details and website.

This statewide directory covers all 67 Florida county clerks and is updated regularly by the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers association.

12th Judicial Circuit Probate Division

DeSoto County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit, which covers DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. The 12th Circuit's probate division handles all contested estate proceedings, formal administration cases, and guardianship hearings for DeSoto County. The 12th Circuit Probate Division page provides specific procedures and scheduling information.

The 12th Circuit has specific procedures for probate hearings that affect DeSoto County filers. Ex parte hearings in the circuit are scheduled Monday through Thursday at 8:30 a.m. To get on that docket, you must email your petition, notice, and proposed orders to the Probate Coordinator at probatemanatee@jud12.flcourts.org by noon on the prior business day. Missing that deadline means your matter will not be heard that week.

No telephone appearances are allowed for ex parte hearings in the 12th Circuit. You or your attorney must appear in person or via the approved video conferencing method. For contested matters, Zoom hearings are available through the court. All evidence for contested hearings must be submitted at least five business days before the scheduled hearing date. Submitting evidence at the last minute may result in the court rejecting it or continuing the hearing.

These procedural details matter. Filing the correct forms on time is only part of the process. Following the circuit's scheduling and submission rules determines whether your matter is actually heard on the date you expect. Always verify current procedures with the clerk's office or the 12th Circuit's probate coordinator before scheduling a hearing.

Below is the 12th Judicial Circuit's main website, where you can access probate division information, forms, and scheduling procedures for DeSoto County cases.

This site covers all three counties in the 12th Circuit and provides hearing schedules, judge contact information, and links to the probate division's specific rules and procedures.

12th Circuit Probate Division Details

The 12th Circuit Probate Division page provides the most current information on DeSoto County probate procedures. Check this page before filing to confirm any updates to hearing schedules, form requirements, or submission deadlines. Court procedures can change, and what was true six months ago may not be accurate today.

The image below shows the 12th Circuit's dedicated probate division page, which outlines procedures, contact information for the probate coordinator, and the specific requirements for ex parte and contested hearings.

This probate division page is the most direct source for hearing schedules, submission requirements, and coordinator contact details for DeSoto County and the rest of the 12th Circuit.

Types of Probate Proceedings in DeSoto County

Florida's probate statutes apply uniformly across all counties, including DeSoto. Three types of proceedings cover most estate situations.

Formal Administration is the full process. It is required when the gross probate estate exceeds $75,000. Under Chapter 733 of the Florida Statutes, the court appoints a personal representative who then inventories all probate assets, publishes a notice to creditors, pays valid claims, and files a final accounting before the case closes. Creditors have 90 days from the first publication date to submit claims. The full process usually runs six months to a year. Disputes, real property complications, or contested wills add time.

Summary Administration is available when the total probate estate is $75,000 or less, or when the person has been dead for two or more years. Chapter 735 governs this process. No personal representative is appointed in most cases. The beneficiaries file a petition, notify creditors, and ask the court for an order distributing assets. The process is cheaper and faster than formal administration. For DeSoto County estates in the $75,000-and-under range, summary administration is often the practical choice.

Disposition Without Administration applies to very small, simple situations with no real property and assets that do not exceed funeral and medical expenses up to $6,000. The clerk's office issues an authorization letter without opening a formal case. No hearing is required. It is the quickest option available under Florida law.

Chapter 731 provides definitions and general rules applicable to all Florida probate proceedings. Chapter 732 governs wills and what happens when someone dies without one, which is called intestate succession. Chapter 744 covers guardianship, which the 12th Circuit probate division also handles for DeSoto County residents who can no longer manage their own affairs.

Searching DeSoto County Probate Records

Start by calling the DeSoto County Clerk of Courts at (863) 993-4876 or visiting the office at 115 East Oak Street, Room 101 in Arcadia. The clerk's staff can tell you how to access the case search system and whether the records you need are available online or must be retrieved from the courthouse.

If an online search portal is available, search by the decedent's name to find matching probate cases. The docket will list every document filed in the case. Click on documents to view them. Certified copies require a per-page fee set by Florida statute. If you are a creditor, look for the notice to creditors on the docket to find the claims deadline.

Not every estate goes through probate in DeSoto County or anywhere else in Florida. Assets held in trusts, payable-on-death accounts, jointly owned property with right of survivorship, and accounts with named beneficiaries all pass outside the court system. A missing court record does not always mean the estate was mishandled; it may mean the assets passed another way.

For statewide searches across multiple counties, the Florida Clerks of Court directory helps you locate and contact any county clerk in Florida. The Florida Courts Self-Help page also has guidance on understanding probate records and the overall process.

Cities in DeSoto County

DeSoto County's main communities are Arcadia (the county seat) and Nocatee. Neither community meets the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All probate filings for DeSoto County residents are processed at the clerk's office at 115 East Oak Street in Arcadia.

Nearby Counties