Search Lee County Probate Court Records

Lee County probate court records are filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court in Fort Myers and cover all estate administration cases, wills, guardianship matters, and related probate proceedings handled under Florida law in the 20th Judicial Circuit. This page explains how to find and access those records, what types of cases exist, and where to get help.

Lee County Clerk of Court

The Lee County Clerk of Circuit Court in Fort Myers handles all probate filings for the county. Lee County has one of the highest volumes of probate cases in Florida due to its large and growing retiree population. The clerk's office processes petitions, wills, inventories, creditor notices, accountings, and discharge orders. Online filing and in-person filing are both available.

Lee County is in the 20th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry counties. The 20th Circuit's site at ca.cjis20.org provides local court resources, probate judge information, and procedural guidance for all five counties in the circuit.

The 20th Circuit handles a high volume of probate cases across Southwest Florida. The screenshot below shows the circuit's public-facing site, which includes resources for both attorneys and self-represented filers handling estate matters in Lee County.

The 20th Circuit site lists courtroom locations, judge assignments, local administrative orders, and self-help resources for probate cases filed in Lee County and the other Southwest Florida counties in the circuit.

Lee County's clerk maintains a robust online presence given the county's size. The statewide clerk association provides additional contact and access information through its directory.

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory at flclerks.com confirms current contact details for the Lee County clerk and every other clerk in Florida.

How to Search Lee County Probate Records

Lee County has strong online access to court records due to its size. Here are the main ways to search probate records in the county.

Online search. Visit leeclerk.org and use the case search or public records portal. You can search by the decedent's name, case number, or petitioner. The online system covers active and closed cases. Basic searches are free. Copies of documents carry a per-page fee.

In person. Visit the Lee County Justice Center in Fort Myers during business hours. Clerk staff can pull up records, provide copies, and confirm case details. Bring the full name of the deceased and the approximate date of death. Certified copies cost more than uncertified ones and are required for many financial and property transactions.

By phone. Call (239) 533-5000. Staff can confirm whether a case exists, give the case number, and tell you what documents are in the file. They cannot give legal advice about how to manage your estate matter.

By mail. Send a written records request to the clerk's office. Include the decedent's full name, date of death, and the specific documents you need. Request a fee estimate before sending payment if you are unsure of the copy cost.

The statewide find-a-clerk directory at flclerks.com also confirms the Lee County clerk's current contact information and any branch office locations.

Lee County has branch courthouse locations in addition to the main Fort Myers facility. Verify which location handles probate filings before visiting, as not all branches offer full clerk services.

Types of Probate in Lee County

Florida law offers three types of probate proceedings. Lee County sees all three regularly, with formal administration being most common given the county's large estate values. All three are governed by Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes.

Formal Administration

Formal administration is required when the estate's non-exempt probate assets exceed $75,000. This is the full court-supervised process and the most common type in Lee County, where real estate values are high and many decedents leave behind investment accounts, properties, and other assets. The court appoints a personal representative to manage the estate. That person files an inventory, publishes notice to creditors, pays valid claims, and submits a final accounting before the court issues a discharge order. Chapter 733, Florida Statutes governs this process from start to finish.

Formal administration takes at least six months in Lee County because creditors must have time to file claims after the publication of the notice. Complex estates involving multiple properties, business interests, or disputed claims can take considerably longer. Most families hire a probate attorney for formal administration because the personal representative can face personal liability for errors made during the process.

Summary Administration

Summary administration is an option when the total non-exempt estate assets are $75,000 or less, or when the deceased has been dead for two or more years regardless of estate value. Chapter 735, Florida Statutes governs this simplified process. No personal representative is appointed. A petitioner files directly with the clerk, and the court issues an order of summary administration directing that assets transfer to beneficiaries. A copy of any existing will must accompany the petition. This process can often be completed in a few weeks. It is frequently used by surviving spouses and adult children handling modest estates in Lee County.

Disposition Without Administration

This is the most limited option. It applies only when the estate has no real property and the total personal property does not exceed the amount needed to cover the deceased person's final medical and funeral expenses. The cap is generally around $6,000. Chapter 735 allows the clerk to handle this without full court proceedings. It is mainly used to reimburse whoever paid those final expenses. No estate is formally opened and no personal representative is appointed.

Florida Probate Law Overview

Florida probate law runs from Chapter 731 through Chapter 735 of the Florida Statutes. Chapter 731 defines the terms used across all proceedings. Chapter 732 covers intestate succession, setting out the order in which relatives inherit when there is no valid will. Florida's rules start with the surviving spouse, then move to descendants, then parents, then siblings, and so on through more distant relatives.

Chapter 733 governs formal administration step by step. It covers the personal representative's fiduciary duties, inventory filing, creditor notification, claim objections, asset distribution, and the final accounting and discharge process. Errors at any of these steps can delay the estate or expose the personal representative to personal liability.

One rule that applies in all Florida counties, including Lee: a will must be filed with the circuit court clerk in the county where the deceased person lived within ten days of death. This is a legal requirement under Chapter 732 even if no probate proceeding is opened. Failing to file a known will can result in legal penalties.

Lee County has a particularly large volume of homestead property. Florida homestead real property may pass outside of probate under the state constitution, but the rules depend on whether the deceased had a surviving spouse or minor children. Getting the homestead analysis right is one of the most important parts of any Lee County estate administration.

Legal Resources in Lee County

Lee County has a large population and strong access to legal services for probate matters.

Lee County clerk online tools. The clerk's site at leeclerk.org provides a case search portal, fee schedules, forms, and information for self-represented filers. Start here for most Lee County probate searches.

20th Circuit resources. Visit ca.cjis20.org for local administrative orders, judge contact information, and procedural guidance for probate cases in the 20th Circuit, including Lee County.

Florida Courts self-help. The statewide self-help center at flcourts.gov has official probate forms, step-by-step instructions, and plain-language guides for each type of Florida probate proceeding.

Legal aid. Legal Aid Service of Collier County and Gulfcoast Legal Services both serve Lee County residents. Income-eligible individuals may qualify for free help with probate matters. Contact them directly or ask the clerk's office for a current referral list.

Florida Bar referral. The Florida Bar's lawyer referral service can connect you with a licensed probate attorney in the Fort Myers and Lee County area. Many Fort Myers-area attorneys specialize in estate work and offer initial consultations at low cost.

Cities in Lee County

Lee County includes several large cities. Cape Coral and Fort Myers both have dedicated city probate records pages on this site. Other communities include Bonita Springs, Estero, Sanibel, Captiva, Lehigh Acres, and Naples Park. All probate cases in Lee County, regardless of city, are filed with the Lee County Clerk of Court.

Nearby Counties

Lee County is bordered by four other Southwest Florida counties, each in the 20th Circuit with its own clerk and probate division. Use the links below for county-specific probate information.