In Englewood, Englewood Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service offers burial and cremation, funeral and memorial services and pre-need planning to families from Boca Grande to Sarasota. Established in 1993, it has a chapel and an on-site crematory with a viewing suite for witness cremation.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Charlotte County, Florida
How probate works in Charlotte County: the Clerk of Circuit Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Court
Charlotte County · 20th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
350 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Website
E-filing
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's probate page states that Florida Probate Rules require a Florida licensed attorney to represent the personal representative of an estate in almost all instances. The Self-Help Service publishes a Small Estates: Disposition without Administration packet (Fla. Stat. 735.301) with a verified petition, waiver and consent and a document checklist; the completed petition is brought with its attachments to the Justice Center, 350 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, and the clerk witnesses the petitioner's signature against photo ID.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCheck, Money order, Credit card.Most fees may be paid by check, money order or credit card; the financial service provider charges a 3.5% nonrefundable fee per card transaction, and the card holder's photo ID must be presented. In some cases a card payment is not accepted. The small-estates packet asks for payment payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The clerk's drop boxes do not take cash.
Self-help center
- Self-help serviceThe clerk's Self-Help Services (selfhelp.charlotteclerk.com) provide free legal forms, TurboCourt automated forms for a fee, internet access, a law library on the ground floor of the Justice Center, and free virtual 20-minute consultations with Charlotte County Legal Aid, booked online. The services are not income-based.
County forms
- Small Estates: Disposition without Administration (Charlotte County Clerk packet)Verified petition, waiver and consent, and document checklist for disposition of personal property without administration under Fla. Stat. 735.301.
- Probate Statement of Claim (Charlotte County Clerk)A creditor's statement of claim against an estate.
Departments
- Probate / Guardianship / Mental Health1-941-637-2210
About the court
- Branch offices: Murdock Administration Building, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL 33948 (941-743-1400); Mac V. Horton West County Annex, 6868 San Casa Blvd, Englewood, Office 114, open Tuesday and Thursday 08:00-13:00.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Charlotte 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 Charlotte County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 350 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda. The court sits in the 20th Judicial Circuit. The same 20th Judicial Circuit also serves Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee.
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 Charlotte County
What probate costs in Charlotte 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 350 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda. The court is part of the 20th 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 Charlotte County, Florida are filed at the Clerk of Circuit Court. The court sits in the 20th Judicial Circuit.
Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Probate / Guardianship / Mental Health.
The clerk's Self-Help Services (selfhelp.charlotteclerk.com) provide free legal forms, TurboCourt automated forms for a fee, internet access, a law library on the ground floor of the Justice Center, and free virtual 20-minute consultations with Charlotte County Legal Aid, booked online. The services are not income-based.
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 Charlotte County Self-Filing Assessment.
Charlotte 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
Drop boxes for court documents and fee payments
Court documents and payments may be left in clerk drop boxes at the Justice Center (350 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda), 410 Taylor Street (Punta Gorda), 6868 San Casa Drive (Englewood) and 21229 Olean Blvd (Port Charlotte). Include contact information; do not include cash.
SourceWhat 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 Charlotte County
In Florida a death is registered locally, and in Charlotte County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County as well as by Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Registrar
Charlotte County · Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County
Phone
Office
1100 Loveland Boulevard, Port Charlotte, FL 33980
Website
Certified copies
At the counter
Fax
1-941-624-7202
Local rule
- A legible copy of a valid driver license, passport, state-issued ID or military identification card accompanies every request.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $10 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
District Medical Examiner
Charlotte County · District 22 Medical Examiner
Phone
Office
18130 Paulson Drive, Port Charlotte, FL 33954
Serves this county
District 22 Medical Examiner (District 22)
Mail and offices
Fax
1-941-627-0995
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Funeral Homes in Charlotte County
10 funeral homes and crematories in Charlotte County, each listed with the services it offers, the faiths it serves, the languages its staff speak, its address and its phone.
In Port Charlotte, Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society offers cremation, traditional funerals and burial services from its El Jobean Road location, with a chapel and a planning center, and also serves North Port, Englewood, Venice and Arcadia. Se habla español.
In Port Charlotte, Kays-Ponger & Uselton plans funerals, memorials, remembrance receptions and cremations from its Harbor Boulevard home, which has a nondenominational chapel for small services. Its services include pre-arrangement counseling and extra recognition for fallen veterans, and the group has cared for Charlotte County families since 1907.
In Port Charlotte, National Cremation Society handles cremation, its paperwork and transportation, with arrangements at the time of loss or in advance with a licensed pre-planning specialist. The office opened in April 1987, meets families at home or in its office, and serves Port Charlotte, Arcadia, Punta Gorda, Englewood and North Port.
In Port Charlotte, Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory has served Charlotte County families since 1976 with burial, cremation, veterans services, out-of-state transfers and funerals planned ahead. Its Port Charlotte chapel, where the firm first opened, houses its own on-site crematory and seats 150.
From its Punta Gorda office, Apyre National Cremation Services provides direct cremation throughout Florida, arranged by phone with no office visit needed. It can also arrange an unattended scattering of ashes at sea in the Atlantic Gulf Stream.
Funeral homes by city: Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda
Cremation Services in Charlotte County
10 listings
Pre-Need Funeral Plans in Charlotte County
9 listings
Burial Services in Charlotte County
6 listings
Veterans Funeral Services in Charlotte County
6 listings
Funeral Transport in Charlotte County
3 listings
Spanish-Speaking Funeral Homes in Charlotte County
1 listing
Jewish Funeral Homes in Charlotte County
1 listing
Human Composting in Charlotte County
1 listing
Listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any funeral home or crematory.
Transferring Property in Charlotte 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 Charlotte County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 350 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Phone: 1-941-637-2245. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.
Charlotte County accepts electronic recording through CSC, e-Docs Solutions, ePN, QuickDeeds, Simplifile, eRecording USA and Hopdox.
Recording Office Record
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Charlotte County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
350 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Website
Fees
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $10 |
| Each additional page | $8.5 |
Fla. Stat. 28.24(13), (13)(c), (13)(d), (13)(e); Fla. Stat. 201.02(1)(a)
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Charlotte County
Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Charlotte 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. Charlotte 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.
Sarasota elder-law and probate practice operating since 1983 across Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. Works with personal representatives through the Twelfth Judicial Circuit on inventory, creditor claims, homestead, and accountings, plus trust administration and guardianship. Ira Wiesner is a Florida Bar board-certified elder law specialist.
Fort Myers firm serving Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties, with a second office in Port Charlotte. Handles formal and summary probate administration, ancillary administration for out-of-state heirs, trust administration, will contests and trust disputes, and guardianship litigation.
Fort Myers probate and elder law firm serving Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties, with a Naples office. Matthew A. Linde is one of only ten Florida lawyers board certified by The Florida Bar in both Elder Law and Wills, Trusts & Estates -- the only such attorney in Southwest Florida. Handles probate and trust administration, estate planning, guardianship, and probate litigation.
Arcadia solo practice and one of the few probate firms based in Florida's inland Heartland, serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Charlotte, Sarasota, Lee, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Paul Seusy handles probate and probate litigation alongside elder law, real estate litigation and family matters, and states plainly that he is not certified by Florida as a specialist.
Bradenton firm serving Manatee and Sarasota counties from five offices, including Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Anna Maria Island, and downtown Sarasota. Handles formal and summary probate administration, creditor claims, trust administration and accountings, will contests and fiduciary disputes, and guardianship proceedings. Established 1995.
West Palm Beach firm with an appointment-only LaBelle office covering Hendry and Glades counties, where almost no private estate practice is based. Handles formal, summary, intestate and contested probate through the Hendry County Clerk and the 20th Judicial Circuit, ancillary administration for out-of-state families, and partition actions when co-heirs inherit rural property together.
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.
Legal Sources
(8)·
- Fla. Stat. § 733.617
- Fla. Stat. §§ 28.2401(1)(g), (3); 44.108(1)
- Fla. 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)
- Fla. 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, 733.710
- Fla. Stat. 28.24(13), (13)(c), (13)(d), (13)(e); Fla. Stat. 201.02(1)(a)
- Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Court, official page
- Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court, official page
- Charlotte County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
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
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Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
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