Probate in Collier County runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Collier County, settling their estate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Collier County · 20th Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Mailing: PO Box 413044, Naples, FL 34101. Everglades National Park.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
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 Collier County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller at 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102, Naples. The court sits in the 20th Judicial Circuit. The same 20th Judicial Circuit also serves Charlotte, 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. The 3 monthsFla. Stat. § 733.702Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What probate costs in Collier 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 & Comptroller at 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102, Naples. The court is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit.
Collier County runs a probate self-help center (Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM), which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case. Call 239-252-2646.
Florida charges $399Fla. Stat. § 28.2401(1)(g), (3)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source 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 & Comptroller (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 Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Florida typically runs 9 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
If you're handling probate yourself in Collier County, Florida, you can file at the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. The court sits in the 20th Judicial Circuit.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Collier County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationNot every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller is realistic. Collier County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Collier County Self-Filing Assessment.
To file at the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
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 Collier County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102, Naples, FL 34112. Phone: 239-252-2646.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.
Collier County accepts electronic recording through CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Collier County
Address
Phone
E-recording
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 September 4, 2026 · Source
Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Collier 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. Collier 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 & Comptroller, 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.
FirmFort Myers, FL
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 5 more
FirmNaples, FL
Naples firm with a second office in Fort Myers, serving Collier and Lee counties. Handles probate and trust administration alongside estate planning and the real-estate work that follows a death, with more than two decades of practice behind it. The team takes clients in English, Spanish, Russian, and Creole.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate Administration
FirmFort Myers, FL
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 2 more
FirmFort Myers, FL
Fort Myers firm established in 1949, with a West Palm Beach office, serving Lee, Collier, and Palm Beach counties. The estate team handles probate and trust administration, fiduciary and beneficiary representation, guardianship, and Medicaid planning. Partner Mary Vlasak Snell practices in estate planning, probate, and trust administration.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 2 more
FirmNaples, FL
Naples estate and elder law firm serving Collier and Lee counties, with offices in Bonita Springs and Fort Myers. Seven attorneys handle probate, trust administration, guardianship, Medicaid and long-term care planning, and asset protection. Founder Pam Buff Baker is a Florida Bar Board Certified Elder Law Attorney. The initial vision meeting is complimentary.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more
Solo PracticeFort Myers, FL
Fort Myers solo practice serving Lee and Collier County personal representatives and trustees, including Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, and Estero. Handles probate and trust administration — collecting and valuing assets, locating beneficiaries — plus contested probate and trust disputes. Thomas M. Dryden is Board Certified in Real Estate (1996) and Business Litigation (2013).
PracticesTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust LitigationProbate Administration
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.
Data sourced from Florida statutes and official state code. How we research.
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Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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This tool provides general information about self-filing probate and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Step-by-step tools for families in Collier County, Florida.
Get a personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.
Get a personalized plan for settling a trust after the grantor passes away. Covers beneficiary notification, asset transfers, creditor handling, taxes, and distributions.
Get a score-based recommendation on whether self-filing probate is right for your situation. See estimated savings vs. hiring an attorney and get a step-by-step checklist.
Browse vetted Florida attorneys handling probate matters.
