How Much Does Probate Cost in Clay County, Florida?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Clay County can expect.
What probate costs in Clay 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 825 N. Orange Avenue, Green Cove Springs. The court is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit.
Probate matters are handled through the Probate / Mental Health / Guardianship. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Local procedures at this court: Low Bono Program for probate matters. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
Florida charges $395Fla. Stat. § 28.2401(1)(g)Verified May 30, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the Clerk of Circuit Court (https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
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.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Florida requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Fla. Stat. § 733.402Verified May 30, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in Florida typically runs 9 monthsFla. Stat. § 733.402 (bond — required by defaultVerified May 30, 2026 to 12 monthsFla. Stat. § 733.402 (bond — required by defaultVerified May 30, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 3 monthsFla. Stat. § 733.702Verified May 30, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- Fla. Stat. § 28.2401(1)(g)
- Fla. Stat. § 733.402
- Fla. Stat. § 733.402 (bond — required by default
- Fla. Stat. § 733.702
Data sourced from Florida statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Clay County, that means filing fees ($395 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs $395 in Clay County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Florida uses a "presumed reasonable" fee schedule — the statute sets percentages, but they can be negotiated. Clay County attorneys typically follow the schedule for straightforward estates and negotiate for complex ones.
Florida allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Clay County probate.
Clerk of Circuit Court
Clay County
825 N. Orange Avenue
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Phone:
904-284-6302Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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