Duval County Probate Court Florida: Jacksonville Rules and Filing Requirements

If your spouse or parent lived in Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, or anywhere else in Duval County, the estate goes through the 4th Judicial Circuit Court. Duval County's probate division is based at the Duval County Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville and operates under local administrative rules that are specific to the circuit.

Here is what matters before you file a Duval County probate case.

Where to File and the Will Deposit Requirement

Duval County Courthouse 501 W Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Probate proceedings are managed in the courthouse's probate division. Despite Duval County's extensive digital modernization of its court systems, the county maintains a specific physical requirement for original wills.

Original will deposit: Room 2338 Florida Statute §732.901 requires the custodian of the original Last Will and Testament to deposit it with the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 10 days of learning about the death. In Duval County, this must be done by presenting the original will at Room 2338 of the downtown Jacksonville courthouse. The clerk issues a receipt.

This is a critical step: the will must be delivered in person to the specific room. Mailing or e-filing the original will is not accepted.

E-Filing and Digital Systems

Beyond the original will deposit, most Duval County probate filings proceed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Duval has invested in digital modernization, and the clerk's office processes most submissions electronically.

Case styling requirements: Duval County enforces specific case styling rules — the exact format of the caption at the top of each filing. Incorrect styling can cause a filing to be flagged. When in doubt, use the styling from recent Duval County orders or ask the clerk's office for the required format before submitting.

Proposed orders: In Duval County's probate division, proposed orders must be routed to the specific assigned judge via the e-Portal in Word format. The two probate divisions in Duval County are:

• Division PR-A (Judge Blazs)
• Division PR-B (Judge Beverly)

When your case is assigned, all subsequent proposed orders go directly to the judicial assistant for the assigned division — not through a general queue. Confirm the routing address with the clerk when the case is opened.

Hearings in Duval County Probate

Like most Florida circuits post-2020, Duval County handles nearly all uncontested probate hearings via Zoom rather than requiring in-person appearances. This is convenient for out-of-state family members settling a Jacksonville estate.

Contested matters — will contests, creditor disputes, removal of personal representative — are generally handled in person or via a hybrid format.

When your hearing is scheduled, the clerk or judicial assistant provides Zoom login information. Be prepared with a stable internet connection and all required documents accessible electronically.

Probate Types and the 2026 Threshold Update

Disposition Without Administration For very small estates with no real estate in the deceased's sole name and total non-exempt personal property within the statutory limits (preferred funeral expenses plus final 60-day medical costs). Resolved in 2 to 4 weeks.

Summary Administration (F.S. §735.201) Available when non-exempt assets total $150,000 or less (as of July 1, 2026, under CS/HB 1337 — previously $75,000). Excluded from the calculation: homestead property, up to $20,000 in household furnishings, two personal vehicles under 15,000 lbs, and 529 plan accounts.

Summary administration is also available — regardless of estate value — if the deceased has been dead for more than two years, because Florida's two-year absolute creditor bar (F.S. §733.710) has already expired.

No personal representative is appointed in summary administration. The court issues an Order of Summary Administration directing asset distributions.

Formal Administration (F.S. §733) Required for non-exempt estates over $150,000, or any estate involving real estate requiring management, contested claims, or business interests. A personal representative must be appointed and represented by a Florida-licensed attorney in almost all cases under Probate Rule 5.030.

Filing Fees in Duval County

Standard Florida fees apply:

• Formal administration: approximately $399–$401
• Summary administration (estate over $1,000): approximately $345
• Disposition without administration: approximately $232

Publication of the Notice to Creditors in Duval County is done in a local Jacksonville newspaper of general circulation. Costs typically fall within the statewide range of $150 to $300.

Notice to Creditors

In summary administration where the deceased has been dead less than two years, publication is optional. Publishing — despite the cost — triggers the three-month creditor claim window under F.S. §735.2063 and protects heirs from personal liability to unknown creditors. In formal administration, it is mandatory.

Known and reasonably ascertainable creditors must be served directly in formal administration regardless of publication status.

Homestead Property in Duval County

A Petition to Determine Homestead Status must be filed if the estate includes the primary residence. Jacksonville title companies require the court's homestead determination order before insuring any sale or transfer of the property. This petition is filed as part of the main probate proceeding.

Duval County Property Appraiser

Property tax exemptions for surviving spouses — including the $5,000 Widow/Widower exemption (F.S. §196.202) and the 100% first responder/disabled veteran exemption (F.S. §196.081) — are filed with the Duval County Property Appraiser. The deadline is March 1 of the year you are claiming the exemption.

This filing is separate from the probate court and must be handled independently.

Practical Notes for Out-of-State Family Members

Jacksonville has a large military and retiree population, and many Duval County estates are settled by adult children who live out of state. Key practical points:

• The original will deposit at Room 2338 requires someone to appear in person. If you are out of state, a local attorney or authorized designee can do this on your behalf.
• Most hearing appearances are via Zoom, so you do not need to travel to Jacksonville for uncontested probate hearings.
• Veterans' families should coordinate with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for VA survivor benefits and the Florida Veterans' property tax exemptions — the courthouse and the VSO office are separate processes.

Resources

• 4th Judicial Circuit: www.duvalclerk.com (probate division)
• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal: myflcourtaccess.com
• Duval County Property Appraiser: coj.net/departments/property-appraiser

For a complete Florida survivor benefits roadmap — covering both the Jacksonville-specific probate process and all the parallel benefit claims at state and federal agencies — the Florida Survivor Benefits Navigator provides the step-by-step structure you need.

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