What to Do When Someone Dies in Dixie County, Florida

Probate in Dixie County runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court: 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 Dixie County, settling their estate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court. 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

Clerk of Circuit Court

Dixie County · 3rd Judicial Circuit

Address

214 NE Highway 351Cross City, FL 32628

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed

Mailing: P.O. Box 1206, Cross City, FL 32628.

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Dixie 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 Dixie County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 214 NE Highway 351, Cross City. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial Circuit.

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 Dixie County

What probate costs in Dixie 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 214 NE Highway 351, Cross City. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit.

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 (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.

How to File Probate at the Clerk of Circuit Court

If you're handling probate yourself in Dixie County, Florida, you can file at the Clerk of Circuit Court 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 3rd Judicial Circuit.

How to File Your Documents

Paper Filing Available

You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Dixie County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.

E-Filing Also Available

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 Information

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Clerk of Circuit Court is realistic.

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

What to Bring

To file at the Clerk of Circuit Court 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.

Transferring Property in Dixie 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 Dixie County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 214 NE Highway 351, Cross City, FL 32628. Phone: 352-498-1200. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 1206, Cross City, FL 32628.

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

Dixie County

Address

214 NE Highway 351Cross City, FL 32628Mailing: P.O. Box 1206, Cross City, FL 32628

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit recorder website →

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

Probate Attorneys Serving Dixie County

Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Dixie 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. Dixie 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 AdministrationTax PlanningGuardianshipand 3 more

Office
18 NW 33rd CourtGainesville, FL 32607

FirmLive Oak, FL

Sellers, Taylor & Morrison, P.A.

Since 1965 · Serves 7 counties

Live Oak firm in the historic downtown, practicing since 1965 across Suwannee, Madison, Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette, Taylor, and Dixie counties in the Third Judicial Circuit. The firm belongs to the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar and carries an AV Martindale-Hubbell peer rating.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration

Office
108 West Howard StreetLive Oak, FL 32064

FirmLive Oak, FL

The Chauncey Law Firm, P.A.

Since 2007 · Serves 8 counties

North Florida firm with offices in Live Oak, Lake City, and Jacksonville, working the Third Judicial Circuit -- Suwannee, Columbia, Lafayette, Hamilton, Madison, Taylor, and Dixie counties. Handles probate, wills and estates, guardianship, and family law. Serving clients since 2007.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
320 White AvenueLive Oak, FL 32064
Free consultation

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 AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more

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

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 AdministrationProbate LitigationAsset ProtectionProbate Administration

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

FirmGainesville, FL

Florida Probate Law Group

Since 2014 · Serves the whole state

Gainesville firm handling probate in every Florida county on a flat fee, with an Ocala office and a fully remote administration process. Founding partner R. Nadine David advised Florida circuit court probate judges as a probate court staff attorney before entering private practice in 2014. Handles formal and summary administration, trust administration, and estate litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust LitigationProbate Administration

Office
201 SE 2nd Ave, Suite 210Gainesville, FL 32601
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 23 firms serving Dixie 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.

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Legal Sources

Data sourced from Florida statutes and official state code. How we research.