Family-run Ocala firm with offices in Beverly Hills and The Villages, representing clients throughout Marion, Sumter, Citrus, and Lake counties. Handles estate administration and probate, estate planning, real estate, and business matters, with an affiliated title company for closings.
Probate in Lake County
Probate Court Record
Lake County Clerk of Circuit & County Courts
Lake County · 5th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
550 West Main Street, 2nd Floor, Tavares, FL 32778
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Lake County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Lake County? →Settling an estate in Lake County →
Probate Firms Serving Lake County
Maitland firm on Spartan Drive, founded in 1997, serving Orange, Seminole, Lake, Osceola, and Volusia counties. Handles probate and trust administration and trust and estate litigation -- claims against fiduciaries, will and trust contests, disputed trust accountings, and guardianship disputes -- alongside estate-tax, charitable, and special-needs planning.
Wildwood and The Villages elder law firm serving Sumter County and central Florida since 1992. Handles probate, trust and estate administration, guardianship, Medicaid and long-term care planning, VA Aid and Attendance claims, and estate tax planning. Eric C. Millhorn is a VA-accredited attorney authorized to represent claimants for VA pension and survivor benefits.
Ocala solo practice serving Marion, Sumter, Citrus, Lake, and Levy counties, including The Villages. Stanley W. Plappert represents personal representatives named in a will and those appointed by the court, advises successor trustees, and screens estates for summary administration. Also handles Florida probate for out-of-state families. Se habla espanol.
Winter Park estate and probate practice on Lee Road with experience in the Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Lake, and Osceola county probate courts. Guides families through probate after a death, including intestate estates, and handles estate planning, special-needs trusts, and asset protection. Founder Merrell Bailey is an attorney and CPA listed in Super Lawyers for estate planning and probate.
Gainesville firm handling probate in every Florida county on a flat fee, with an Ocala office and a fully remote administration process. Founding partner R. Nadine David advised Florida circuit court probate judges as a probate court staff attorney before entering private practice in 2014. Handles formal and summary administration, trust administration, and estate litigation.
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Florida
Free Florida forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Florida.
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Last Will and Testament
In Florida, a will is signed before 2Fla. Stat. § 732.502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyFla. Stat. § 732.502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Florida
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Florida: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Florida.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Florida costs an estimated $30,600Fla. Stat. § 733.6171Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees on a statutory schedule presumed reasonableFla. Stat. § 733.6171Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Calculate Costs
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Florida: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysFla. Prob. R. 5.340; Fla. Stat. § 733.604Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsFla. Stat. §§ 733.2121, 733.702 (later of 3 months from first publication or 30 days from service on a served creditor), 733.703, 733.705, 733.707, 733.710Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Florida sets executor compensation on a statutory schedule that is presumed reasonable — about $15,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 3.0%Fla. Stat. § 733.617Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Calculate the Fee
Do I Need Probate?
Florida sets no dollar limit for its Disposition Without AdministrationFla. Stat. § 733.402 (bond — required by default: "Unless the bond requirement has been waived by the will or by the courtVerified Sep 8, 2026View source; eligibility turns on other tests.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Florida, creditors have 3 monthsFla. Stat. § 733.702Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
Check the Rules
