Search Sarasota County Probate Court Records

Sarasota County probate court records cover estate administration, will filings, guardianship petitions, and related proceedings for residents in this 12th Circuit county. Karen Rushing, Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller, maintains these records and provides online access to case dockets and filed documents, so heirs, attorneys, and researchers can find what they need without always making a trip to the courthouse.

Sarasota County Clerk of Court

Karen Rushing holds the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller for Sarasota County. Her office receives all probate filings, issues letters of administration, processes inventories and accountings, and keeps the official case index. The main courthouse is in the city of Sarasota, and there is a branch office in Venice for residents in the south part of the county.

The Venice branch office is at 4000 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293. This location handles many of the same services as the main office. If you live in Venice, Englewood, or anywhere in the southern part of the county, the Venice branch may be closer and more convenient for dropping off filings or picking up certified copies.

The clerk's online portal lets you search active and closed probate cases by decedent name or case number. Documents filed electronically can be viewed at no charge on screen. Printed copies cost a small per-page fee. If you need records from a case that predates electronic filing, call the office first to confirm where the physical file is stored and whether you need an appointment to review it.

The image below shows the Sarasota County Clerk's probate division page, where you can find filing guides, fee schedules, and access to the online case search portal.

Visit the Sarasota Clerk Probate Division page

This page lists the forms the clerk accepts, describes what each type of probate proceeding involves, and gives instructions for submitting filings in person or by mail.

12th Judicial Circuit Court

Sarasota County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit, which covers DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. Circuit judges in the probate division hear contested estate matters, formal administration petitions, and guardianship cases. The 12th Circuit uses a unified case management system across all three counties, so a search in the circuit's portal may surface records from any of the three counties if you search by name alone.

For uncontested summary administrations and dispositions without administration, the process is generally handled administratively through the clerk's office rather than before a judge in open court. A judge still signs off on the final order, but you may never appear in a courtroom for simpler cases. Contested matters -- disputes over a will's validity, conflicts between heirs, or challenges to a personal representative -- do require hearings and are scheduled through the circuit court's probate division calendar.

The image below shows the 12th Judicial Circuit's website, which covers Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties and includes resources for attorneys and self-represented parties filing in probate court.

Visit the 12th Judicial Circuit website

From this site you can find judge assignments, local administrative orders that affect probate practice, and contact information for the clerk's office in each of the three counties in the circuit.

Types of Probate Proceedings in Sarasota County

Florida law sets out three main paths for handling a decedent's estate. Which one applies depends on the value of the estate and how much time has passed since death. All three are governed by Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes.

Formal Administration is required when the estate's probate assets exceed $75,000. This is the full process. The court appoints a personal representative, who must then publish notice to creditors, prepare an inventory of all assets, pay valid debts, and file a final accounting before the case can be closed. Formal administration typically takes six months to a year, sometimes longer when creditor claims are disputed or the estate includes complex assets like real property in multiple states or business interests.

Summary Administration under Chapter 735 is available when the total value of probate assets is $75,000 or less, or when the person died two or more years ago. No personal representative is appointed. Instead, a petitioner files a petition for summary administration, and the court issues an order directing how the assets should pass to heirs. This process is faster and less expensive. Many Sarasota County families use it for smaller estates or when enough time has passed that creditor claims are no longer a significant concern.

Disposition Without Administration is the simplest option. It applies only when the decedent left no real property and the only assets are exempt personal property or amounts owed that do not exceed the cost of final expenses, such as funeral costs and medical bills, up to $6,000. The clerk issues an authorization letter. No formal case is opened. This works best for very small, uncomplicated situations, such as collecting a final paycheck or closing a small bank account.

Under Chapter 732, anyone in possession of a will must file it with the clerk within ten days of learning of the person's death. That requirement applies even if no probate proceeding is planned. The will becomes part of the public record once filed. Inventories and accountings filed in formal administration cases are confidential under Florida law and are not part of the public case docket, though interested persons can petition for access.

Searching Sarasota County Probate Records Online

The Sarasota County Clerk's online case search is the fastest way to find probate records. Go to www.sarasotaclerk.com and navigate to the case search portal. You can search by the decedent's last name or by case number if you already have it. The results show the case type, filing date, judge assignment, and a list of all documents filed in the case. Most electronic filings from the past several years can be viewed directly in the browser.

If you don't find a case, it may mean no probate proceeding was opened. Many estates pass outside the court system entirely. Assets held in a revocable trust, accounts with named beneficiaries like life insurance or retirement accounts, jointly held property, and payable-on-death bank accounts all pass without probate. The absence of a court record does not mean there was no estate or that nothing was inherited.

For older records or those not available electronically, contact the clerk's office at (941) 861-7400 to ask about retrieving archived files. Staff can tell you the process for requesting copies and what fees apply. Certified copies of letters of administration typically cost more than plain copies but are often required by financial institutions before they release funds.

The Florida Clerks of Court statewide directory lists contact information and website links for all 67 county clerks. It is a useful starting point if you are not sure which county handled a particular estate or need to check records across multiple counties.

Filing Probate in Sarasota County

To open a probate case, file a petition with the Sarasota County Clerk at the main courthouse at 2000 Main St in Sarasota or at the Venice branch. The petition must name the decedent, give the date and place of death, identify heirs and beneficiaries, and describe the estate's assets. If there is a will, the original must be filed with the clerk along with the petition.

Filing fees are set by Florida statute and vary based on the value of the estate and the type of proceeding. Call the clerk's office or check the fee schedule on the clerk's website before you go so you know what to bring. Fees for certified copies of letters of administration are charged separately, and you may need several certified copies for banks, brokerages, and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Florida Supreme Court-approved probate forms are available at no charge through Florida Courts Self-Help. These forms cover petitions for formal administration, summary administration, and disposition without administration, as well as supporting documents like the oath of personal representative and notice to creditors. Using the approved forms reduces the chance of rejection at the counter.

If the estate has debts, the personal representative must give direct notice to known creditors and publish a notice to creditors in a local newspaper once a week for two consecutive weeks. Creditors generally have 90 days from the date of first publication to file claims. Claims not filed on time may be barred. This creditor period is the main reason formal administration cases take at least several months even when there are no disputes among heirs.

Guardianship proceedings, which fall under Chapter 744 of the Florida Statutes, are heard in the same probate division. If a Sarasota County resident becomes incapacitated, a family member or other person can petition the court to be appointed guardian of the person, of the property, or both. The process involves a medical committee report, an attorney for the alleged incapacitated person, and a hearing before the judge. Guardianship cases can run alongside or separate from estate administration cases depending on the circumstances.

Local Resources for Probate in Sarasota County

Several resources can help Sarasota County residents navigate the probate process without an attorney, or help them find one if they need one.

The Florida Courts Self-Help Center provides approved forms and instructions for all common probate filings. These are free to download and use. The instructions walk through each form field and explain what information goes where. For straightforward summary administration or disposition without administration cases, many people complete the process without hiring a lawyer.

The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a Sarasota County probate attorney. The first consultation is often available at a low flat fee. For contested estates, multi-state assets, or complicated family situations, consulting an attorney early is usually worth the cost.

Gulfcoast Legal Services at www.gulfcoastlegal.org provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in Sarasota County. Their services include guidance on probate filings for people who cannot afford an attorney.

The Sarasota County Law Library, located in the main courthouse, holds Florida statutes, legal forms, and reference books on estate law. Library staff can help you locate resources but cannot give legal advice.

Cities in Sarasota County

North Port is the only city in Sarasota County that meets the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Probate filings for residents of North Port and all other communities in the county are handled by the Sarasota County Clerk of Court.

Other communities in Sarasota County include the city of Sarasota (county seat), Venice, Englewood, Osprey, and Nokomis. These communities do not have dedicated probate city pages, but residents file in the same Sarasota County court system.

Nearby Counties