Search Manatee County Probate Court Records

Manatee County probate court records are filed and maintained by the Manatee County Clerk of Courts in Bradenton, serving a fast-growing southwest Florida county of roughly 426,000 residents. The 12th Judicial Circuit handles all estate, guardianship, and trust matters for Manatee County, with specific probate procedures that include electronic filing requirements for certain hearings.

Manatee County Clerk of Courts

The Manatee County Clerk of Courts handles all probate filings, payments, and record access in the county. The main office is in downtown Bradenton. The clerk's website at www.manateeclerk.com offers online case search and other self-service tools for people who want to look up existing cases or check the status of a pending file.

The Manatee County Clerk homepage provides access to online case search, official records, court forms, and filing instructions for probate and other civil matters.

This is the primary online starting point for anyone searching Manatee County probate records or filing a new estate case in the county.

How to Search Manatee County Probate Records

Manatee County has robust online record access compared to smaller Florida counties. Use the clerk's case search tool at www.manateeclerk.com to search by the decedent's name, case number, or the personal representative's name. Results show case type, filing date, and key parties. The online portal covers most cases filed in recent years.

For older cases, certified copies, or records not available online, contact the clerk directly. Fees apply for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain copies but are required by banks and other institutions when transferring estate assets.

The Florida Court Clerks statewide directory also links to Manatee County's online resources. You can find it at www.flclerks.com.

The Find a Clerk directory is useful if you need to confirm current contact details or locate related county offices across the state.

12th Circuit Probate Division Procedures

Manatee County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit, which serves DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. The circuit has specific local rules for probate cases that attorneys and self-represented parties must follow. These are different from most other Florida circuits and are worth reviewing before you file.

The 12th Circuit probate division schedules ex parte hearings on Monday through Thursday at 8:30 a.m. To get a hearing on the calendar, attorneys must email the petition, the notice of hearing, and the proposed orders to probatemanatee@jud12.flcourts.org by noon on the prior business day. Submitting documents late may result in the hearing being removed from the calendar.

Telephone appearances are not allowed for ex parte hearings in the 12th Circuit. Attorneys must appear in person or attend via Zoom for contested hearings. Evidence for contested matters must be submitted five business days before the hearing date. These local rules are more specific than what you will find in many other Florida circuits, so make sure your attorney is familiar with them before scheduling any court appearances.

Review the 12th Circuit probate division page for current scheduling requirements, Zoom access links, and any administrative updates before filing a probate case in Manatee County.

The 12th Circuit website is the authoritative source for current local administrative orders and procedural updates that affect how probate cases are handled in Manatee County.

Types of Probate in Manatee County

Florida law provides three main ways to administer a decedent's estate. All three are available in Manatee County through the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Formal Administration

Formal administration applies when the gross value of the estate exceeds $75,000 or when the nature of the estate requires court oversight regardless of size. A Florida-licensed attorney must represent the personal representative. The process involves opening the estate, notifying creditors, filing an inventory, resolving debts, and distributing assets with court approval. Given the 12th Circuit's specific filing and hearing requirements for Manatee County, working with an attorney familiar with local rules is especially important here. The governing law is Florida Statutes Chapter 733.

Summary Administration

Summary administration is available when the estate value is $75,000 or less (excluding exempt assets) or when the decedent died two or more years ago. No personal representative is appointed. The court issues a summary order directing how assets get transferred to heirs. This is faster and less expensive than formal administration. The statute governing summary administration is Florida Statutes Chapter 735.

Disposition Without Administration

This is the simplest path. It applies when the estate has no real property and non-exempt assets total $6,000 or less, or when remaining assets are all exempt under Florida law. No court hearing is typically required. The clerk issues a letter that allows asset transfers. Ask the clerk or an attorney whether the estate qualifies before spending time on a more complex approach.

Florida Probate Statutes and Legal Resources

The same Florida statutes apply in Manatee County as in every other Florida county. Chapter 733 governs formal administration. Chapter 735 covers summary and simplified procedures. Chapters 731, 732, and 734 fill in the rest of the framework: definitions, will rights, and estate taxes.

What makes Manatee County distinct is the 12th Circuit's specific local rules on top of the statewide statutes. An attorney licensed in Florida and familiar with the 12th Circuit is your best resource here.

Bay Area Legal Services and other southwest Florida legal aid organizations serve Manatee County residents who qualify for free or low-cost legal help. The Florida Bar's Lawyer Referral Service is another option for finding a probate attorney who handles cases in this area.

The Florida Courts website has probate forms and general guidance that apply across all circuits. These are a useful starting point for understanding the process even if you plan to hire an attorney.

What Manatee County Probate Records Contain

Probate records in Florida are public documents. A typical Manatee County estate file includes the petition to open the estate, the last will and testament (if one was admitted), the appointment of a personal representative, creditor notices, an inventory of assets, and the final closing order. Beneficiaries and creditors are identified in these records.

You can get copies through the clerk's online portal or in person at the courthouse. Certified copies have the court's official seal and are required by banks and title companies. Plain copies are less expensive and fine for most personal uses. The clerk's office can quote you current copy fees when you call or visit.

The Manatee County Clerk's office has invested in online tools, so many recent records are accessible without a trip to the courthouse. Older records may still require an in-person visit or written request.

Cities in Manatee County

Bradenton is the county seat and the largest city in Manatee County, with a population of approximately 60,000. Palmetto is another incorporated city in the county. Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Ellenton are smaller communities. Parrish is an unincorporated area that has grown significantly in recent years. None of the cities in Manatee County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page, but all residents file probate cases through the same Manatee County Clerk of Courts office in Bradenton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Manatee County in the Tampa Bay and southwest Florida region. Sarasota and DeSoto share the 12th Judicial Circuit with Manatee County.