Flagler County Probate Court Records

Flagler County probate court records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell, covering estate filings, wills, guardianships, and related proceedings for this fast-growing northeast Florida county. This page covers how to search those records, which type of probate may apply to your situation, and where to find help.

Flagler County Clerk of Courts

The Flagler County Clerk of Courts receives and maintains all probate case filings for the county. The office is located at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell. Probate records filed there are public records under Florida law. Once a case is opened, the file is available for public inspection during regular business hours.

The clerk handles incoming petitions, issues letters of administration, and records each document filed throughout the probate process. The office staff can help you find a case or pull a file. They cannot advise you on what to file or how to complete forms. For that kind of help, contact a licensed Florida attorney or a legal aid office.

The Flagler County Clerk website provides access to a public records search, e-filing, fee schedules, and general court information. The online case search lets you look up probate cases by name or case number without visiting the courthouse.

The Flagler County Clerk of Courts site is shown below. You can use it to search active and closed probate cases and confirm case status before calling or visiting in person.

The clerk's online search shown above is the quickest way to determine whether a probate estate has been opened in Flagler County for a specific person. Results include the case number, type, and current standing.

How to Search Flagler County Probate Records

Searching probate records in Flagler County is straightforward once you know where to look. The clerk's online portal is the easiest starting point. For older or more detailed records, an in-person visit to Bunnell is your best bet.

Go to flaglerclerk.com and use the public case search. Enter a name or a case number if you have one. The system shows basic case information including the filing date, case type, and parties. This search is free and open to the public. You do not need to create an account.

The Florida Clerks of Court directory is helpful if you need to find clerk contact information across counties. The directory is maintained by the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers and links to all 67 county clerk offices.

The statewide clerk directory above is a good resource when you need contact details for multiple Florida county clerks. It is kept current and lists addresses, phone numbers, and website links for each county.

For certified copies of probate documents, you need to contact the clerk's office at (386) 313-4400 and ask about current fees. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and are often needed when transferring real property or dealing with banks after a person dies. Plan to bring a valid photo ID when you visit.

In-person visits are the best option when you need to review a full case file. The clerk's staff at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center can pull the physical file for you to review. You can take notes or pay for copies on the spot. Arrive with a list of what you are looking for to save time.

Types of Probate in Flagler County

Florida law gives families three ways to handle a decedent's estate. Which one applies depends on the estate's value and whether any time restrictions apply. All three types are handled through the Flagler County Circuit Court, part of the 7th Judicial Circuit.

Formal Administration

When the non-exempt assets in an estate exceed $75,000, formal administration is required. This is the full probate process under Florida Statutes Chapter 733. A personal representative is appointed by the court. That person notifies creditors, manages assets, pays debts, and distributes what remains to the rightful beneficiaries. Florida law requires a licensed attorney to represent the personal representative throughout.

Formal administration typically takes at least six months, sometimes a year or more. Every document filed during the process goes into the public court record. The Flagler County Clerk maintains these records for completed cases as well as any that are still active.

Summary Administration

Summary administration is the shorter route under Florida Statutes Chapter 735. It applies when the total non-exempt assets are $75,000 or less, or when the person has been dead for more than two years. In that case, no personal representative is needed. Beneficiaries petition the court directly. The court reviews the petition and issues an order directing who gets what. This process is much faster than formal administration and costs less.

Summary administration is used often in Flagler County, especially for estates involving retirees with modest assets. The records are public and can be searched just like formal estate cases.

Disposition Without Administration

This option handles very small estates with no real property and non-exempt personal property that does not exceed final expenses such as medical bills and funeral costs. The general threshold is around $6,000 in non-exempt personal property. A surviving spouse or family member files a simple petition with the clerk. No court hearing is needed in most cases. The process is governed by Chapter 735 and is the fastest of the three options.

The 7th Judicial Circuit Court

Flagler County is part of Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. The probate division in the 7th Circuit handles all estate, guardianship, and trust matters for Flagler County. The 7th Judicial Circuit Court website has information on judges, court divisions, local administrative orders, and filing requirements.

Local rules and orders from the 7th Circuit can affect how and when documents must be filed. It is worth checking those rules before you submit anything to the clerk. The clerk's staff at (386) 313-4400 can also tell you about any recent changes to local requirements.

The Florida Courts statewide website has approved forms for use in probate proceedings across Florida. Many of the forms are available to download at no cost. These are the same standardized forms used in Flagler County courts.

Legal Resources for Flagler County Probate

If you need help with a probate case in Flagler County, there are several places to turn. Legal aid organizations serving the 7th Circuit area may assist residents with limited incomes. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a licensed probate attorney for an initial consultation. Many attorneys in the Palm Coast area handle probate matters for Flagler County estates.

The Florida Courts self-help information page has general guidance on probate procedures and standard forms. It is not a replacement for legal advice but is a good starting point for understanding the process. The site also links to local self-help centers in each judicial circuit.

Florida's probate statutes are online and free to read. Chapter 733 governs formal estate administration. Chapter 735 covers summary administration and disposition without administration. Reading both chapters before meeting with an attorney can make that conversation more productive.

The Florida Clerks directory is also useful if your search involves counties beyond Flagler. All 67 county clerks are listed there with current contact information.

Cities in Flagler County

Palm Coast is Flagler County's largest city and the county's main population center, with well over 100,000 residents. Palm Coast has its own city records page on this site. All probate cases for Palm Coast residents are filed with the Flagler County Clerk of Courts in Bunnell.

Other communities in Flagler County include Bunnell, the county seat, as well as Flagler Beach, Beverly Beach, and Marineland. None of these communities qualify for a separate city records page based on population. Residents in all of these areas use the same Flagler County Clerk of Courts for probate matters.

Nearby Counties

Flagler County borders three counties in northeast Florida. If an estate includes property in more than one county, additional probate proceedings may be needed in each county where real estate is located.