Washington County Probate Court Records

Washington County probate court records document estate administration, will filings, and guardianship proceedings handled through the 14th Judicial Circuit in Chipley. Glenn Watson, Clerk of Courts, maintains these records and provides public access to case information, so heirs, attorneys, and researchers can find what they need regarding probate matters for Washington County residents without always making a trip to the Chipley courthouse.

Washington County Clerk of Courts

Glenn Watson serves as Clerk of Courts for Washington County. The clerk's office in Chipley processes all probate filings for the county, issues letters of administration, handles guardianship documents, and maintains the official case index. Washington County is a small, rural county in the Florida Panhandle, and the clerk's office handles a smaller volume of cases than clerks in more populous counties, which can mean faster processing times for straightforward filings.

The clerk's website at www.washingtonclerk.com provides access to online case search tools and filing information. For a small county, calling ahead is often the most efficient way to confirm what is available online versus what needs an in-person visit. Staff at (850) 638-6285 can tell you whether a case is in the system, what documents are on file, and the process for getting certified copies.

If you need records from before electronic filing was in place, older paper files may be stored at the courthouse or in off-site archives. Call the clerk's office before visiting to confirm the file is accessible and whether you need an appointment to view it.

The clerk's staff can direct you to the right form or the correct division. They do not give legal advice. For guidance on which type of probate proceeding fits your situation, use the self-help tools at Florida Courts Self-Help or consult a licensed attorney.

The image below shows the Florida Courts statewide clerk directory, which lists the Washington County Clerk alongside all other county clerks in the 14th Circuit and statewide.

Find a Clerk - Florida Courts

This page is a reliable way to verify contact information for Washington County and the other five counties in the 14th Circuit before you call or submit filings by mail.

14th Judicial Circuit Court

Washington County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. Circuit judges assigned to the probate division hear formal administration petitions, contested estate matters, and guardianship proceedings across all six counties. The 14th Circuit's administrative office is in Panama City (Bay County), but each county's clerk maintains its own records and filing system.

For Washington County probate matters specifically, the assigned probate judge may travel between counties for hearings or handle matters remotely depending on the circuit's scheduling. For small, uncomplicated cases like summary administrations, the process often moves through the clerk's office without requiring an in-person hearing at all. A judge signs the final order, but you may not need to appear in a courtroom.

Contested matters, formal administration cases with disputes among heirs, and guardianship proceedings with opposing parties will require hearings. These are scheduled through the 14th Circuit's probate calendar. Check with the clerk's office to find out when the probate judge is scheduled for Washington County and how hearings are set up in this circuit.

The image below shows the 14th Judicial Circuit website, which covers Washington County and the other five counties in the Florida Panhandle region served by this circuit.

Visit the 14th Judicial Circuit website

This site includes local administrative orders, judge information, and contact details for each county in the 14th Circuit, including Washington County.

Types of Probate Proceedings in Washington County

Florida law provides three types of probate proceedings under Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes. The correct type depends on the value of the estate and how long it has been since the person died.

Formal Administration is required when the estate's probate assets exceed $75,000. This is the full court process. The judge appoints a personal representative. That person then publishes notice to creditors, files an inventory of all estate assets, pays valid debts and costs, and files a final accounting. The court closes the case only after the accounting is approved. Formal administration typically takes six months to a year. It takes longer when the estate includes real property that must be sold, business interests, or disputed creditor claims.

Summary Administration under Chapter 735 is available when probate assets total $75,000 or less, or when the decedent died two or more years ago. No personal representative is appointed. A petitioner files a petition and proposed order, the court gives notice to creditors, and the judge issues an order directing how assets pass to heirs. This is a shorter and less expensive process. In rural Washington County, where many estates are modest in size, summary administration is a common and practical choice.

Disposition Without Administration is the simplest path. It is available only when the decedent left no real property and the only assets are exempt personal property or amounts owed that do not exceed final expenses, including funeral costs and last-illness medical bills, up to $6,000. The clerk issues an authorization letter without opening a formal case or assigning a case number. This is typically used for very small estates, such as collecting a final paycheck, a small savings balance, or a pending refund.

Under Section 732.901, anyone who has possession of a will must deposit it with the clerk within ten days of learning of the person's death. This applies even when no probate case will be opened. Once filed, the will is a public record. Inventories and accountings filed in formal administration cases are confidential under Florida law. Interested persons with legal standing can petition the court for access if needed.

Searching Washington County Probate Records

Begin your search at www.washingtonclerk.com using the online case search tool. Enter the decedent's last name or a case number if you have it. The search returns case details including the filing date, type, judge assignment, and a docket of documents on file. Click individual entries to view electronically filed documents. Most recent filings are available to view on screen at no charge.

Washington County is small, and some older records may exist only in paper form. If your search returns no results, or if you are looking for records from a case filed before the county moved to electronic filing, call the clerk's office at (850) 638-6285. Staff can confirm whether a case exists and explain how to get copies. For a small county, the staff often have a better working knowledge of specific older cases than a search tool alone would suggest.

Keep in mind that many estates do not go through probate at all. Assets held in a trust, accounts with named beneficiaries, jointly owned property, and payable-on-death accounts all pass outside the court system. The lack of a probate record does not mean there was no estate or that nothing was transferred.

If you need to search records across multiple Panhandle counties, use the Florida Clerks of Court statewide directory to find contact details for the other clerks in the 14th Circuit. Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, and Jackson counties all have their own clerks and separate case databases.

Filing Probate in Washington County

To open a probate case in Washington County, file your petition with the Clerk of Courts at 1331 S Blvd in Chipley. 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, bring the original to file along with the petition. Florida law requires the will to be filed within ten days of learning of the person's death, even when no probate case is planned.

Filing fees are set by Florida statute and vary by case type and estate value. Call the clerk's office before you go to ask about the current fee schedule. Certified copies of letters of administration cost extra and are charged per page. You will likely need several certified copies, since banks, brokerages, and title companies all require them before releasing funds or transferring property to the personal representative.

All Florida Supreme Court-approved probate forms are available free at Florida Courts Self-Help. These forms cover petitions for formal administration, summary administration, and disposition without administration, along with supporting documents like the oath of personal representative, notice to creditors, and inventory forms. Use the approved forms to avoid rejection at the counter. The clerk's office cannot review draft filings in advance, so it helps to read the instructions carefully before submitting.

In formal administration cases, the personal representative must publish notice to creditors in a local newspaper once a week for two consecutive weeks. Creditors then have 90 days from the date of first publication to file claims against the estate. Claims not filed within that window may be barred. This mandatory waiting period is why formal administration takes a minimum of several months, regardless of how simple the estate is otherwise.

Guardianship cases fall under the same probate division and are governed by Chapter 744 of the Florida Statutes. If a Washington County resident becomes incapacitated and cannot manage their own affairs, a family member or other person can petition the 14th Circuit Court for guardianship. The process involves a medical committee evaluation, appointment of an attorney to represent the alleged incapacitated person, and a hearing before the probate judge. Guardianship can be of the person, the property, or both, depending on the individual's needs.

Local Resources for Probate in Washington County

Washington County is a rural county with limited local legal services, but several resources are available to help residents navigate the probate process.

The Florida Courts Self-Help Center provides all approved probate forms and plain-language instructions at no charge. This is the most accessible starting point for people handling a straightforward summary administration or disposition without administration on their own.

The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a probate attorney who handles cases in Washington County and the surrounding Panhandle region. Initial consultations are often available at a set low rate. For contested estates or guardianship matters, hiring an attorney early is usually the most efficient and cost-effective approach.

Three Rivers Legal Services at www.trls.org provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents in Washington County and much of North Florida. Their services include guidance on basic probate filings and can help qualifying individuals who cannot afford a private attorney.

The Washington County Law Library at the Chipley courthouse holds Florida statutes, legal forms, and reference materials on estate law. Library staff can help you locate materials but cannot give legal advice. The library is a good place to review the Florida Probate Rules and Chapter 733 before you file.

Cities in Washington County

No cities in Washington County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. The county seat is Chipley, and other communities include Vernon, Wausau, and Caryville. Probate filings for all Washington County residents are handled at the Clerk of Courts in Chipley.

Nearby Counties