Putnam County Probate Court Records

Putnam County probate court records cover estate administration, will filings, and guardianship cases processed by the Circuit Court in the 7th Judicial Circuit. The Putnam County Clerk of Court, Tim Smith, keeps these records at the courthouse in Palatka and offers both online and in-person access to most case files. This page covers how to find records, what kinds of probate cases are filed here, the fees involved, and where to get local legal help.

Putnam County Clerk of Court

Tim Smith is the elected Clerk of Court for Putnam County. His office handles all probate filings that come through the 7th Circuit's probate division, including petitions to open estates, will deposits, guardianship petitions, and trust matters. The courthouse is in Palatka, which is the county seat and the only full-service filing location for probate in Putnam County.

The 7th Judicial Circuit covers Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Cases originating in Putnam County stay in Putnam, even though the circuit's administrative offices and chief judge are based in Daytona Beach (Volusia County). Each county in the circuit has its own clerk and its own set of judges assigned to probate matters.

Staff at the Putnam County Clerk's office can confirm whether a probate case exists, tell you what documents are on file, and help you submit a copy request. They are not permitted to give legal advice but can point you to the right forms and explain the general filing process.

Florida Courts maintains a statewide clerk directory with up-to-date contact information for the Putnam County Clerk of Court: Florida Courts Find a Clerk.

Use the statewide directory to verify current phone numbers and mailing addresses before sending a records request or planning a visit to the Palatka courthouse.

How to Search Putnam County Probate Records

The Putnam County Clerk provides public access to case records through its online search portal and through in-person access at the Palatka courthouse. Both methods are free to use for basic case lookups, though fees apply for copies.

To search online, go to www.putnam-fl.com/clerk and look for the case search or public records link. You can search by the decedent's name, the case number, or the personal representative's name. The portal shows filed documents, case status, and scheduled hearings. Not every document is visible online. Florida law makes inventories and accountings confidential, so those are not accessible through the public portal.

For in-person searches, visit the courthouse at 410 St Johns Ave in Palatka during business hours. Staff can pull the physical file or direct you to a public terminal where you can view the electronic record. If you need paper copies, fees apply per page. Certified copies cost more. Bring any information you have about the decedent, including the full legal name and approximate year of death, to help staff locate the record quickly.

Mail requests are accepted. Write to the Putnam County Clerk of Court at 410 St Johns Ave, Palatka, FL 32177. Include the decedent's name, the case number if you have it, a description of the specific documents you need, and a check payable to the Clerk of Court for the estimated copy fee. Call (386) 329-0361 first to confirm the current fee schedule so your payment is accurate.

Historical probate records from earlier decades may be on microfilm or in physical storage. The clerk's office can tell you what years are available in digital form and what older records require a manual search. For very old estates, you may also find useful information through the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee.

Types of Probate Cases Filed in Putnam County

Florida law sets out several types of probate proceedings. The right one depends on the estate's value, how long the decedent has been dead, and what assets need to be transferred.

Formal Administration is the standard process for estates over $75,000 or any estate that needs a court-appointed personal representative. The personal representative collects assets, notifies creditors, pays debts, and distributes what remains to the heirs. Formal administration cases in Putnam County are filed at the Palatka courthouse and go before the circuit court's probate judge.

Summary Administration is available when the estate is worth $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for two or more years regardless of estate size. No personal representative is appointed. The court issues a summary administration order that transfers specific assets directly to the beneficiaries. It's a faster, less expensive process and works well for smaller estates.

Disposition Without Administration is the simplest option. It applies only when the estate contains no real property, the only assets are personal property, and the total is under $6,000 after funeral and medical expenses are accounted for. The court issues a short letter authorizing the transfer. No full case is opened.

Ancillary Administration is needed when someone who lived in another state died owning real property in Putnam County. Even if a full probate is open in the decedent's home state, a separate Florida case must be filed here to transfer the Florida property. This type of case is common in areas where out-of-state residents own vacation homes or investment land.

Guardianship cases are also heard by the probate division. These involve adults who cannot manage their own affairs due to incapacity, or minors who have inherited significant assets. A guardian is appointed by the court to manage the person's property or personal decisions, depending on the type of guardianship granted.

Filing Fees for Putnam County Probate Cases

Probate filing fees in Putnam County follow the statewide schedule set by Florida law. The clerk collects these fees at the time of filing, and they are non-refundable once the case is opened.

Attorney fees in probate cases are set by Florida statute and based on a percentage of the estate value. Personal representative fees follow a similar scale. Both must be approved by the court in formal administration cases. Families in Putnam County sometimes handle summary administration without an attorney, though legal help is still advisable when the estate involves disputes or complex assets.

Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances. Contact the clerk's office or a local legal aid organization for information on whether you qualify.

The Probate Process in Putnam County

Opening a probate case in Putnam County follows the same steps required by Florida law statewide. Here is a general overview of how the process works for formal administration.

If the decedent left a will, it must be deposited with the Putnam County Clerk of Court within 10 days of learning of the death. This is required by Florida Statutes section 732.901. The will does not have to be probated right away, but it must be filed for safekeeping. Anyone who has a will in their possession and fails to file it can be held personally liable to those who suffer loss as a result.

Once ready to open the estate, the petitioner files a Petition for Administration with the Putnam County Clerk. The petition asks the court to admit the will to probate (if there is one), appoint a personal representative, and issue Letters of Administration. Those letters are the legal document that gives the personal representative authority to act on behalf of the estate.

After letters are issued, the personal representative must notify creditors. This means publishing a notice of administration in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks and mailing notice to any creditors the representative knows about. Creditors have three months from the first publication date, or 30 days from the mailing date, whichever is later, to file claims.

The personal representative then inventories the estate's assets and files the inventory with the court. Valid creditor claims are paid. After debts, taxes, and expenses are settled, the remaining assets are distributed to the beneficiaries named in the will, or to heirs under Florida's intestacy laws if there is no will. A final accounting and petition for discharge are filed to close the case.

Florida's Probate Code is found at Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes. These chapters cover every stage of the process in detail.

Legal Resources in Putnam County

Legal help is available in Putnam County for residents who need guidance on probate matters. Options range from private attorneys to free legal aid.

The Putnam County Bar Association can provide referrals to local attorneys who handle probate and estate work. The Florida Bar's Lawyer Referral Service is another starting point. Many probate attorneys offer a free or low-cost initial consultation, which can help you figure out whether you need full legal representation or can handle the process on your own.

Three Rivers Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents in Putnam County. Probate matters, especially those involving a surviving spouse or minor children, may qualify for assistance. You can reach Three Rivers Legal Services at (352) 372-0519 or through their website. They serve a large multi-county area in North Florida, including Putnam.

The Florida Courts Self-Help Center at flcourts.gov has downloadable probate forms and plain-language guides. These are most useful for summary administration cases where the process is simpler. For formal administration or any case with disputes, legal representation is strongly recommended.

Cities in Putnam County

No cities in Putnam County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Palatka is the county seat and largest city, but its population does not qualify it for a separate listing. All probate matters for residents throughout the county are handled at the Palatka courthouse regardless of which city or unincorporated area the resident lives in.

Nearby Counties