Gainesville firm founded in 1927 by E.G. Baxter and E.A. Clayton, one of the oldest continuously operated law firms in Florida. Handles estate administration, probate, trust administration, and asset-protection and charitable trusts for families across eleven north-central Florida counties, from Alachua and Marion to Lafayette, Dixie, and Putnam.
Probate in Marion County
Probate Court Record
Marion County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
Marion County · 5th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
110 Northwest 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Marion County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Marion County? →Settling an estate in Marion County →
Probate Firms Serving Marion County
Jacksonville firm handling estate administration for families across northeast Florida, from Duval and Clay through Marion and Suwannee counties. Opens probate estates, investigates creditor claims, addresses estate and income taxes, and distributes assets to heirs; also drafts wills, trusts, and advance directives. Robert W. Elrod, Jr. continues a practice his father started in 1966.
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.
Gainesville practice serving Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, Union, and Marion counties, and handling probate matters in Gainesville, Ocala, and Orlando. Works directly with the personal representative on creditor notice, asset collection, and distribution, alongside trust administration and wealth-preservation planning. The office does not handle Medicaid planning.
Gainesville firm serving Alachua County and north-central Florida since 1974. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, wills and trusts, Medicaid planning, and elder and minor guardianships. Richard Knellinger was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1974 and holds Martindale-Hubbell's AV Peer Review Rating.
Gainesville elder law firm serving Alachua, Marion, Columbia, and neighboring north-central Florida counties. Handles probate and trust administration, guardianships, trust and estate litigation, elder financial exploitation recovery, Medicaid planning, and special needs planning. Shannon M. Miller has been board certified by The Florida Bar in Elder Law since 2011.
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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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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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
