Panama City solo practice on Harrison Avenue serving Bay County. Max W. McCord III guides personal representatives through Florida estate administration, including ancillary estates for non-residents who owned Florida real property, advises trustees on administering a trust, and handles probate disputes and will contests. Also plans taxable and non-taxable estates.
Panama City is in Bay County.
Probate in Bay County
Probate Court Record
Bay County Clerk of Circuit Court
Bay County · 14th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM CT
Office
300 East 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Bay County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Bay County? →Settling an estate in Bay County →
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.
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 Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Florida happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeFla. Stat. § 736.0101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysFla. Stat. §§ 736.0813, 736.1008, 736.10081Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Florida, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Fla. Stat. § 736.0708Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
Calculate the Fee
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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