Holmes County Probate Court Records

Holmes County probate court records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in Bonifay and cover estate administrations, will filings, guardianship petitions, and related proceedings under Florida probate law. This page explains how to search those records, what types of cases exist, and how to contact the clerk's office directly.

Holmes County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in Bonifay handles all probate filings for Holmes County. The clerk's office accepts petitions, inventories, accountings, and final orders in person during regular business hours. Mail filings are also accepted at the address below.

Holmes County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit. The circuit court website at jud14.flcourts.org covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. You can find local court resources and self-help information there.

The Florida Courts statewide clerk directory can help you confirm contact info, check for branch locations, or find a clerk in a neighboring county. The screenshot below shows the 14th Circuit's public-facing site.

The Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers maintains a statewide directory. Visit flclerks.com to find the current clerk contact for any Florida county.

The 14th Judicial Circuit court website provides resources for self-represented litigants, including forms and procedural guidance for probate cases in Holmes County.

The 14th Circuit site lists court locations, judges assigned to probate divisions, and general filing instructions that apply across all six counties in the circuit.

How to Search Holmes County Probate Records

Most Holmes County probate case records are public under Florida law. There are a few ways to look them up.

In person at the clerk's office. Visit 201 North Oklahoma Street in Bonifay. Staff can search the case index by decedent name, case number, or petitioner. Copies of filings cost a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more and are needed for many legal and financial purposes, such as transferring real property or closing bank accounts.

By phone. Call (850) 547-1100 during business hours. The clerk can confirm whether a probate case exists and give you a case number. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you what documents are on file.

Online search. Holmes County is a smaller rural county and online access to case records may be limited compared to larger urban counties. Check the clerk's website or the 14th Circuit site for any available online search portal. The Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov also links to public access tools that may cover Holmes County records.

By mail. Send a written records request to the P.O. Box 397 address. Include the decedent's full name, approximate date of death, and the specific documents you need. Include payment or ask for a cost estimate first.

The clerk's find-a-clerk directory confirms location and contact details for the Holmes County office.

Use the statewide clerk directory to verify current office hours, mailing addresses, and online access options before making a trip to the courthouse.

Types of Probate Cases in Holmes County

Florida law sets out three main ways to administer a deceased person's estate. Which one applies depends on the estate's value and how long ago the person died. These procedures are governed by Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes.

Formal Administration

Formal administration applies when the probate estate is worth more than $75,000. This is the full probate process. It requires appointing a personal representative, filing an inventory of assets, notifying creditors, paying valid claims, and submitting a final accounting before the court closes the estate. The process is handled under Chapter 733, Florida Statutes, which covers the full administration process.

Formal administration takes several months at minimum. In contested cases or large estates it can take much longer. Most families hire a probate attorney for this process because the procedural requirements are detailed and mistakes can cause delays or personal liability for the personal representative.

Summary Administration

Summary administration is a shorter, simpler process. It is available when the estate's exempt property and exempt assets are worth $75,000 or less, or when the deceased person has been dead for two or more years. Chapter 735, Florida Statutes governs this procedure. There is no personal representative appointed. The court issues an order of summary administration that transfers assets directly to beneficiaries. It still requires filing a petition, a copy of the will if one exists, and proof of the estate's value.

Disposition Without Administration

This is the most limited option. It applies only when there is no real property in the estate and the only assets are personal property worth less than the amount needed to pay funeral and medical bills, generally up to $6,000. The clerk can authorize disposition without formal proceedings under Chapter 735. This works well for very small estates where the main goal is reimbursing whoever paid for the funeral or final medical costs.

Florida Probate Law and Statutes

Florida's probate law is codified in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes. Chapter 731 sets out definitions and general provisions. Chapter 732 covers intestate succession, which is how assets pass when there is no valid will. Chapter 733 governs formal probate administration. Chapter 735 covers summary administration and disposition without administration.

These statutes control filing deadlines, creditor notice periods, asset exemptions, and the duties of personal representatives. Courts in Holmes County follow these rules, and the 14th Circuit probate judges apply them consistently across all cases filed in the county.

One key rule worth knowing: creditors generally have three months from the date of the first publication of the notice to creditors to file a claim against the estate. This period runs whether or not the creditor actually knew about the death. The personal representative must publish the notice and notify known creditors directly.

Florida also has rules about homestead property that affect probate in important ways. Homestead real property may pass outside of probate entirely under Article X of the Florida Constitution. This can simplify some estates but also creates its own set of rules about who can receive the property.

The Florida Courts self-help page provides plain-language guides and official court forms for people handling probate without an attorney.

Legal Resources for Holmes County Residents

Holmes County is in a rural part of the Florida Panhandle. Access to local attorneys can be more limited than in larger counties. Here are some resources that can help.

Florida Courts Self-Help Center. The statewide self-help site at flcourts.gov has probate forms, instructions, and explanations of each type of proceeding. This is a good starting point if you are not sure which type of administration applies.

Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service. The Florida Bar can refer you to a probate attorney in or near Holmes County. Visit floridabar.org or call the referral service to get connected with a licensed attorney for a consultation.

Legal aid organizations. Northwest Florida Legal Services may be able to help low-income residents with probate matters. Eligibility is based on income. Check with the 14th Circuit clerk's office for current referral contacts in the area.

14th Circuit resources. The circuit court website at jud14.flcourts.org lists forms, local administrative orders, and contact information for all six counties in the circuit, including Holmes.

Cities in Holmes County

Holmes County's communities are small. No city in the county meets the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. The county seat is Bonifay, where the courthouse and clerk's office are located. Other communities include Ponce de Leon, Westville, Esto, and Noma. Residents in all of these areas file probate cases with the Holmes County Clerk of Court in Bonifay.

Nearby Counties

Holmes County borders several other Florida Panhandle counties. Each has its own clerk and probate division. Click any link below to see probate records information for that county.