Leon County Probate Court Records

Leon County probate court records are filed and maintained by the Leon County Clerk of Courts in Tallahassee, which serves as the seat of both Leon County and the state of Florida. The 2nd Judicial Circuit handles all probate matters here, covering estates, guardianships, and trusts for residents across the county's roughly 300,000-person population.

Leon County Clerk of Courts

The Clerk of Courts handles all probate filings for Leon County. The office accepts new cases, takes payments, and keeps records of every estate opened in the county. You can visit in person, file by mail, or use the online portal to search existing cases.

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers association keeps a statewide directory of all county clerks. You can use it to confirm contact details or find related offices across the state.

The Find a Clerk page at the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site lists Leon County and every other Florida county clerk in one place.

Use this directory to verify current addresses and phone numbers before you make the trip or send a filing by mail.

How to Search Leon County Probate Records

Leon County probate records are public under Florida law. Most active and recent cases are searchable online. Older records may require an in-person visit or a written request to the clerk's office.

To search online, go to the Leon County Clerk website at www.leonclerk.org and look for the official records or case search section. You can search by the decedent's name, the case number, or the personal representative's name. Results typically show the case type, filing date, and the parties involved.

For older cases or certified copies, contact the clerk directly. There is a fee for certified copies. Plain copies cost less. The clerk can tell you the current fee schedule when you call.

The Florida Courts website at www.flcourts.gov also has resources on how probate cases move through the system statewide.

The Florida Courts homepage links to self-help materials, court forms, and general guidance on the probate process across all Florida circuits.

Types of Probate in Leon County

Florida law sets out three main ways to handle a decedent's estate. Which one applies depends on the size of the estate and how long ago the person died. All three are handled through the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Leon County.

Formal Administration

Formal administration applies when the estate's value is over $75,000 or when an estate of any size requires full court oversight. This is the most common process for larger estates. An attorney must represent the personal representative in formal cases filed in Florida. The process involves filing a petition, notifying creditors, paying debts, and distributing assets under court supervision. It can take several months to over a year depending on complexity. The rules governing this process are in Florida Statutes Chapter 733.

Summary Administration

Summary administration is a shorter process. It is available when the estate's value is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for two or more years. It skips many of the steps required in formal administration. There is no personal representative appointed. Instead, the court issues an order of summary administration that directs how assets get distributed. See Florida Statutes Chapter 735 for the full rules on summary administration.

Disposition Without Administration

This option applies when the estate has no real property and the total value of non-exempt assets does not exceed $6,000. It also applies when the only assets are exempt property or the costs of the last illness and funeral. This is the simplest path. No court filing fee is required in some cases. The clerk can confirm whether the estate qualifies.

If you are not sure which type fits, a probate attorney can help you decide. Leon County is home to a large legal community because of the state government presence, so there are many attorneys here who handle probate matters regularly.

The 2nd Judicial Circuit

Leon County is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which covers six counties: Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla. All probate matters from these counties go through circuit court judges assigned to probate and guardianship divisions.

Because Tallahassee is the state capital, the 2nd Circuit courthouse is a busy venue. Cases can sometimes take longer to schedule hearings than in smaller circuits. File early if you are working with a deadline. The clerk's office can give you current estimates on processing times when you call.

The circuit also handles guardianship cases, which are closely related to probate. If a person dies leaving a minor child or an incapacitated adult who needs a guardian, those cases are often managed alongside the estate proceedings.

Florida Probate Statutes and Legal Resources

Florida's probate law is found in Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes. These chapters cover definitions, court jurisdiction, the administration process, claims by creditors, and summary procedures.

The two most important chapters for most families are Chapter 733, which governs formal administration, and Chapter 735, which covers summary administration and disposition without administration. Reading these can help you understand what the court will require at each step.

The Florida Courts self-help resources page has court-approved forms and plain-language explanations of the probate process. These are useful even if you plan to hire an attorney, because knowing what to expect makes the process easier.

The Florida Legislature's statutes website is the official source for current probate law. Always check there for the most up-to-date version of any statute before you rely on it.

Florida Legal Services and local legal aid organizations also serve Leon County residents who need help but cannot afford an attorney. The Florida Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a probate attorney for an initial consultation.

What Probate Records Contain

Probate court records in Leon County are public documents. They include the petition to open the estate, the last will and testament (if one was filed), an inventory of assets, creditor notices, and the final order closing the estate. Personal representatives are named in these records. So are beneficiaries, in most cases.

Some documents may be sealed by court order, but that is rare in standard probate cases. If you need a record for legal or family purposes, you can usually get a copy from the clerk's office with a small fee. Certified copies cost more than plain copies but carry the court's official seal and are accepted by banks, title companies, and government agencies.

Records created in the last several years are likely available through the clerk's online portal. Older cases may be archived. The clerk can tell you how to request archived records and whether there is a delay in fulfilling those requests.

Cities in Leon County

Tallahassee is the county seat and the only incorporated city in Leon County that qualifies for a dedicated records page based on population. You can search Tallahassee probate records directly through the Leon County Clerk's online portal.

Tallahassee is the largest city in Leon County and the state capital. Most court activity in the county takes place at the courthouse in downtown Tallahassee. Midway, a smaller community in Leon County, does not have its own page but residents there file probate cases through the same Leon County Clerk of Courts office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Leon County and are all part of the broader north Florida region. Each has its own clerk and probate court process, though Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, and Wakulla share the 2nd Judicial Circuit with Leon.