Find Probate Court Records in Jackson County

Jackson County probate court records are filed with the Clerk of Court in Marianna and cover all estate administration cases, wills, guardianship matters, and related court proceedings handled under Florida law in the 14th Judicial Circuit. This page explains how to find and access those records.

Jackson County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in Marianna handles all probate filings for Jackson County. The clerk's office accepts petitions, wills, inventories, creditor filings, and final accountings during regular business hours. Filings can be made in person or by mail.

Jackson County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit. That circuit includes Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. The 14th Circuit's court website at jud14.flcourts.org provides court resources, local forms, and information about probate judges assigned to each county in the circuit.

The statewide Florida clerk directory at flclerks.com is a reliable way to find current contact details and verify that you have the right office before visiting. The screenshot below shows the 14th Circuit's public site.

The 14th Circuit site lists courtroom locations, assigned judges, and procedural information for probate cases filed in Jackson County and the other five counties in the circuit.

How to Search Jackson County Probate Records

Probate records in Jackson County are public under Florida law. There are several practical ways to access them.

In person at the clerk's office. Go to 4445 Lafayette Street in Marianna during business hours. Clerk staff can search the case index by decedent name or case number and pull paper or electronic copies of filings. Copy fees apply per page. Certified copies cost more and are often needed for financial institutions and property transfers.

By phone. Call (850) 482-9552. Clerk staff can confirm whether a probate case was filed, give you the case number, and tell you what documents are on file. They cannot give legal advice or tell you how to handle your case.

Online access. Jackson County may have limited online case search capabilities compared to larger urban counties. Check the clerk's current website or contact the office to find out what is available. The Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov also links to public access tools that may help.

By mail. Send a written records request to P.O. Box 510, Marianna, FL 32446. Include the decedent's full name, approximate date of death, and the documents you need. Ask for a fee estimate before sending payment if you are not sure what the copies will cost.

The find-a-clerk directory at flclerks.com also confirms contact information for the Jackson County clerk's office.

Always confirm current hours and any changes to filing locations through the clerk's website or by phone before making a trip to Marianna.

Probate Case Types in Jackson County

Florida offers three types of probate proceedings. The right one for a given estate depends on the total asset value and how long ago the person died. All three options are handled through the Jackson County clerk's office and governed by Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes.

Formal Administration

Formal administration is required when the probate estate is worth more than $75,000. A circuit court judge supervises the entire process. The court appoints a personal representative, who then files an inventory of the estate's assets, publishes notice to creditors, pays valid claims, and submits a final accounting before the estate can be discharged. Chapter 733, Florida Statutes sets out each step in detail.

Formal administration takes at least six months in most cases because creditors must be given time to file claims after the notice is published. Estates with disputed assets, unclear title to real property, or family disagreements can take much longer. Most families choose to work with a probate attorney during formal administration given the paperwork volume and the legal exposure of the personal representative role.

Summary Administration

Summary administration is available when the total value of non-exempt estate assets is $75,000 or less, or when the person died two or more years ago regardless of the estate size. Chapter 735, Florida Statutes governs this process. It is simpler and faster than formal administration. No personal representative is appointed. The petitioner files directly with the clerk's office and the court issues an order of summary administration that transfers assets to beneficiaries named in the order. A valid will, if one exists, must be included with the petition.

Disposition Without Administration

This is the most limited form. It applies only when there is no real property in the estate and the total personal property value does not exceed the deceased person's unpaid funeral and final medical expenses. The upper limit is generally around $6,000. The clerk handles this process without full court proceedings under Chapter 735. It is mainly used to reimburse whoever paid out of pocket for the deceased person's final costs.

Florida Probate Law Overview

Florida's probate statutes run from Chapter 731 through Chapter 735. Chapter 731 sets the definitions that apply throughout all probate proceedings. Chapter 732 governs what happens when a person dies without a will, laying out the order in which relatives inherit under Florida's intestate succession rules. Chapter 733 handles formal administration from start to finish. Chapter 735 covers summary administration and disposition without administration.

One critical rule for anyone managing an estate: the notice to creditors must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the estate is being administered. In Jackson County, that means a local paper serving the Marianna area. After publication, creditors have three months to file claims. This window cannot be shortened, so it is one of the main drivers of how long probate takes.

Florida also has a specific set of rules for homestead real property. Homestead may pass to heirs outside of probate under the Florida Constitution, but it is subject to restrictions that depend on whether the deceased had a surviving spouse or minor children. These rules can be counterintuitive and are a common source of confusion in estate planning and administration.

The Florida Courts self-help center provides official forms and plain-language guides for people navigating probate on their own.

Legal Resources in Jackson County

Legal help is available for Jackson County residents dealing with probate matters, even in this more rural part of the Panhandle.

Florida Courts self-help. The statewide self-help center at flcourts.gov has probate forms, instructions, and explanations written for people without legal training. Start here if you are unsure which type of proceeding applies to your situation.

14th Circuit resources. Visit jud14.flcourts.org for local court forms, judge contact information, administrative orders, and filing instructions specific to Jackson County and the rest of the 14th Circuit.

Florida Bar referral service. The Florida Bar at floridabar.org can refer you to a licensed probate attorney serving the Marianna area. Many offer an initial consultation at low cost or no charge.

Legal aid. Northwest Florida Legal Services may provide free or low-cost help to income-eligible Jackson County residents. Ask the clerk's office for a current referral or check with the 14th Circuit self-help center.

Cities in Jackson County

Jackson County's communities are small and none currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. The county seat is Marianna, where the courthouse and clerk's office are located. Other communities include Graceville, Cottondale, Sneads, Grand Ridge, Malone, and Greenwood. All residents in these areas file probate cases with the Jackson County Clerk of Court in Marianna.

Nearby Counties

Jackson County borders several other Florida Panhandle counties. Each has its own clerk and probate process. Use the links below to find probate records information for neighboring counties.