Jefferson County Probate Court Records

Jefferson County probate court records are held by the Clerk of Circuit Court in Monticello and include all estate administration cases, will filings, guardianship matters, and related court actions filed under Florida probate law in the 2nd Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to access those records and what the local probate process involves.

Jefferson County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Circuit Court in Monticello handles all probate matters for Jefferson County. The office accepts petitions to open an estate, wills, inventories, notices to creditors, accountings, and final orders. In-person visits and mail filings are both accepted.

Jefferson County is in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which also covers Franklin, Gadsden, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties. The 2nd Circuit's website at jud2.flcourts.org provides resources for filers across all six counties, including local forms and information about probate judges in the circuit.

Jefferson County is one of Florida's smaller counties. The courthouse in Monticello is the sole filing location for all probate matters. The statewide clerk directory confirms current contact information for the office.

The clerk find-a-clerk screenshot below shows where to verify up-to-date contact details and online access options for Jefferson County.

Use flclerks.com to confirm the clerk's current website address and to check for any changes to office hours before making the trip to Monticello.

How to Search Jefferson County Probate Records

All probate records in Jefferson County are public under Florida law. Because the county is small, record access is primarily handled in person or by mail rather than through a large online portal.

In person. Visit the courthouse at 1 Courthouse Circle in Monticello. Clerk staff can search the case index by the deceased person's name or case number. They can print copies of filings on request. Per-page copy fees apply. Certified copies cost more and are often needed to close accounts or transfer real property.

By phone. Call (850) 342-0218 to confirm whether a case exists and get the case number. Staff can also tell you what documents are on file. They cannot provide legal advice.

Online search. Jefferson County may have limited online access to case records given its smaller size. Check the clerk's website for any available case search tool. The Florida Courts site at flcourts.gov may also link to public access tools covering Jefferson County records.

By mail. Send a written request to 1 Courthouse Circle, Monticello, FL 32344. Include the decedent's full name, approximate date of death, and the specific documents you want. Request a cost estimate before sending payment if the fee is unknown.

Florida's probate statutes define the framework for all of these cases. The official statute text for intestate succession and wills is at the Florida Legislature's site, shown in the image below.

The Florida Legislature's site at leg.state.fl.us provides the full text of every Florida statute, including the probate chapters that govern all cases filed in Jefferson County.

Types of Probate Proceedings in Jefferson County

Florida has three probate procedures. Each one fits a different situation based on the size of the estate and the time since the person died. All three are available in Jefferson County and governed by Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes.

Formal Administration

Formal administration applies when the estate's non-exempt assets exceed $75,000. This is the full probate process supervised by a circuit court judge. The court appoints a personal representative, who handles the estate from opening to closing. That includes filing an inventory, publishing notice to creditors, paying debts, and submitting a final accounting. Chapter 733, Florida Statutes governs this entire process.

Formal administration in Jefferson County typically takes at least six months. That minimum is driven by the creditor notice period. After the personal representative publishes the notice, creditors have three months to file claims. Anything disputed or complex will add time. Most people handling a formal estate hire an attorney because mistakes by the personal representative can result in personal liability.

Summary Administration

Summary administration is a faster option. It is available when the total non-exempt estate assets are worth $75,000 or less, or when the person died two or more years ago. Chapter 735, Florida Statutes governs this process. No personal representative is appointed. A petitioner files a summary petition with the clerk's office along with a copy of the will if one exists. The court reviews the petition and issues an order of summary administration directing that assets go to named beneficiaries. This process can often be completed in weeks rather than months.

Disposition Without Administration

This is the simplest option and applies only in very limited circumstances. There must be no real property in the estate. The only assets must be personal property, and the total value must not exceed the cost of the deceased person's final illness and funeral expenses. The limit is generally around $6,000. The clerk handles this without full court proceedings under Chapter 735. It is designed to reimburse whoever paid those expenses out of pocket, with no need for a full estate opening.

Florida Probate Statutes That Apply

Every probate case in Jefferson County is governed by Florida's probate statutes. Chapter 731 sets the definitions that apply across all proceedings. Chapter 732 covers intestate succession, meaning who inherits when someone dies without a valid will. The order runs from surviving spouse to descendants to parents to siblings and so on, following a specific statutory priority.

Chapter 733 covers formal administration in detail. It sets out the personal representative's duties, the process for filing an inventory, the rules for notifying and paying creditors, the accounting requirements, and the procedure for closing the estate. Chapter 735 covers summary administration and disposition without administration in less detail, reflecting the simplified nature of those processes.

Florida also has rules under Chapter 732 about what happens to a will. A will must be filed with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the deceased person lived, even if no probate is needed. That is a separate requirement from opening an estate. Failing to file a will when required can result in legal penalties.

Homestead property rules in Florida also interact with probate in ways that can be surprising. Real property that qualifies as homestead may pass outside of the probate estate, but the rules depend on who survives the decedent. Getting this right is important in Jefferson County, where many families own rural and agricultural land.

Legal Resources for Jefferson County

Jefferson County residents have access to statewide legal resources even though the county is small and rural.

2nd Circuit self-help. The 2nd Circuit's site at jud2.flcourts.org provides forms, local administrative orders, and contact information for judges in Jefferson County's probate division.

Florida Courts self-help. The statewide self-help center has official probate forms, step-by-step guides, and explanations of each type of proceeding in plain language. Good starting point if you are not sure which process fits your situation.

Florida Bar referral. The Florida Bar at floridabar.org can connect you with a probate attorney licensed in Florida. Many attorneys who serve Leon County also handle Jefferson County cases, given the proximity to Tallahassee.

Legal aid. North Florida Legal Services and similar organizations may assist income-eligible Jefferson County residents with probate matters. Ask the clerk's office for a current referral or check with the 2nd Circuit's self-help resources.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County is one of Florida's least populous counties. Monticello is the county seat and the location of the courthouse. Other small communities include Lamont, Aucilla, and Wacissa. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All probate cases for Jefferson County residents are filed with the Clerk of Court in Monticello.

Nearby Counties

Jefferson County is bordered by several other North Florida counties, each with its own clerk and probate process. Click any link below for probate records information for that county.