What to Do When Someone Dies in Bradford County, Florida

How probate works in Bradford County: the Clerk of Circuit Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Bradford County Clerk of Circuit Court

Bradford County · 8th Judicial Circuit

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Office

945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

E-filing

Required for attorneysE-filing mandatory for attorneys since April 1, 2013. Optional for self-represented parties. Statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal for all circuit courts.

Self-represented filing

AllowedThe Clerk states that formal administration must be filed by an attorney licensed in Florida unless the personal representative is the sole beneficiary; the 8th Circuit cites Fla. Prob. R. 5.030(a). For disposition of personal property without administration, the filer brings the required documents to the Probate Division to complete the petition. Probate forms and checklists are published by the 8th Judicial Circuit.

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Bradford County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Bradford County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke. The court sits in the 8th Judicial Circuit. The same 8th Judicial Circuit also serves Alachua, Baker, Gilchrist, Levy and Union.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Florida intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Florida estates take 9 months to 12 months to move through this process. 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 a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.

What Probate Costs in Bradford County

What probate costs in Bradford County, Florida comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke. The court is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit.

Florida charges $400Fla. Stat. §§ 28.2401(1)(g), (3); 44.108(1)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Florida are based on reasonable compensation — usually hourly billing or a flat fee for the engagement.

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. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Florida requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under Fla. Stat. § 733.402Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in Florida typically runs 9 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the Clerk of Circuit Court

Probate cases in Bradford County, Florida are filed at the Clerk of Circuit Court. The court sits in the 8th Judicial Circuit.

Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Probate / County Civil and Probate Case Manager (8th Judicial Circuit).

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Florida has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Bradford County Self-Filing Assessment.

Bradford County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Original wills are deposited with the Clerk with proof of death

The custodian of a will deposits the original with the Clerk in the county where the decedent resided within ten days of learning of the death (Fla. Stat. 732.901). The Clerk also requires the death certificate to be filed with the original will.

Source

Document Requirements

Disposition without administration attachments

The Clerk requires the original will if one exists, the funeral home's itemized statement showing who paid, proof of payment, paid receipts for medical expenses from the last 60 days, the death certificate, statements for the assets to be transferred, and notarized consents from everyone who paid any part of the funeral or medical bills. The procedure is not available when the decedent owned real estate.

Source

Court Appearances

Hearings are requested by email; filing a petition does not place it before the Court

The 8th Circuit is not notified of new filings. Hearing requests go by email with the county name, full case number, style of the case, motions to be heard, parties involved and time requested.

Source

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the Clerk of Circuit Court: Verified Petition for Administration drafted to Fla. Prob. R. 5.200 (petitioner interest, decedent data, beneficiaries, venue, § 733.301 priority, will statement, asset value); Original of the decedent's last will and any codicils (deposited with the court within 10 days of knowledge of death, Fla. Stat. § 732.901), in a testate estateFla. Stat. §§ 733.101-733.402 (venue, petition, appointment, letters, bond); Fla. Prob. R. 5.200 (petition), 5.235 (issuance of letters, bond), 5.030 (attorney required)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Bradford County

In Florida a death is registered locally, and in Bradford County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Florida Department of Health in Bradford County as well as by Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Vital Records Office Record

Local Registrar

Bradford County · Florida Department of Health in Bradford County

Hours

Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Office

1801 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091

Certified copies

At the counter

Fax

1-904-964-3829

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

District Medical Examiner

Bradford County · Office of the Medical Examiner, District 8

Office

3217 Southwest 47th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608

Serves this county

Office of the Medical Examiner, District 8 (District 8 (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties))

Mail and offices

Fax

1-352-384-3365

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Bradford County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Deeds and other real property documents for Bradford County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091. Phone: 1-904-966-6280. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Drawer B, Starke, FL 32091.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.

Recording Office Record

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Bradford County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Office

945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091

Mail

P.O. Drawer B Starke, FL 32091

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Bradford County

Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Bradford County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.

Florida uses a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for probate attorneys — the percentages are a starting point that can be negotiated, especially for simple estates. Bradford County firms typically follow the schedule for routine work and negotiate on complex matters.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Clerk of Circuit Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

Solo PracticeGainesville, FL

Clayton-Johnston, P.A.

Since 1927 · Serves 11 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 3 more

Office
18 NW 33rd CourtGainesville, FL 32607

FirmGainesville, FL

Ossi Law Group, P.A.

Serves 6 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateAsset Protection

Office
5618 NW 43rd Street, Suite AGainesville, FL 32653

FirmGainesville, FL

The Law Office of Knellinger & Associates

Since 1974 · Serves 12 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
2815 NW 13th Street, Suite 305Gainesville, FL 32609

FirmGainesville, FL

The Miller Elder Law Firm

Serves 8 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTrust Litigationand 4 more

Office
806 NW 16th Avenue, Suite BGainesville, FL 32601
Free consultation

FirmGainesville, FL

Harrison Estate Law, P.A.

A probate litigation attorney firm in Gainesville serving most of Florida (excluding Broward and Miami-Dade counties). Guides families through Florida's probate process with exclusive focus on estates and trusts. McCabe G. Harrison has an L.L.M. in taxation and expertise in financial and tax aspects.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationAsset Protection

Office
7015 SW 24th AveGainesville, FL 32607
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Solo PracticeJacksonville, FL

Elrod & Elrod, P.A.

Since 1966 · Serves 15 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateWills Trusts

Office
233 East Bay Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1032Jacksonville, FL 32202
Free consultation
See all 24 firms serving Bradford County →

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Show 3 more sources

Data sourced from Florida statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.

Tools for Settling an Estate in Florida

Free tools for settling an estate in Florida: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Florida.

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.

See the Steps

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

Can I Self-File Probate?

Florida has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.

Get the Answer

Hire a Florida Probate Attorney

Browse vetted Florida attorneys handling probate matters.

Browse firms

All Florida tools