What to Do When Someone Dies in Flagler County, Florida

Probate in Flagler 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 Flagler 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

Flagler County · 7th Judicial Circuit

Address

1769 E Moody Boulevard, Building 1Bunnell, FL 32110

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed

Departments

  • Probate Division386-313-4497 · probate@flaglerclerk.com

Located in Kim C. Hammond Justice Center. Courts closed for lunch 12:00-1:00 PM.

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Flagler 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 Flagler County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 1769 E Moody Boulevard, Building 1, Bunnell. The court sits in the 7th Judicial Circuit. Flagler County shares the 7th Judicial Circuit with Putnam, St Johns and Volusia.

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 Flagler County

What probate costs in Flagler 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 1769 E Moody Boulevard, Building 1, Bunnell. The court is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit.

Probate matters are handled through the Probate Division. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.

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 Flagler 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 7th Judicial Circuit.

Filings here are routed through the Probate Division. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.

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 Flagler 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 Flagler County Self-Filing Assessment.

Flagler 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 will filed within 10 days of notice of death

Original wills must be filed with the Clerk within ten days after receiving information that the person is deceased.

Source

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 Flagler 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 Flagler County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 1769 E Moody Boulevard, Building 1, Bunnell, FL 32110. Phone: 386-313-4360. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

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

Flagler County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, File and Go, CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Hopdox.

Recording Office Record

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Flagler County

Address

1769 E Moody Boulevard, Building 1Bunnell, FL 32110

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile, File and Go, CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), HopdoxE-recording info →
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 Flagler County

Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Flagler 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. Flagler 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.

FirmPalm Coast, FL

Conner Bosch Law, P.A.

Since 1985 · Serves 1 county

Palm Coast firm serving Flagler County, where Timothy Conner opened his practice in 1985; William Bosch joined in 2007 to form Conner Bosch Law. Handles probate, trust administration, guardianship, elder care matters, advance directives, and asset protection, alongside real estate and civil work. The two attorneys report over sixty years of combined experience.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 4 more

Office
4488 N Ocean Shore BlvdPalm Coast, FL 32137

Solo PracticeSt. Augustine, FL

E.P.P.G. Law of St. Johns

Serves 2 counties

St. Augustine firm handling St. Johns and Flagler County probate — formal and summary administration for personal representatives and beneficiaries — plus trust administration and estate planning. Heather S. Maltby, a St. Johns County native and past president of its bar association, has practiced solely in estate planning, probate, and trust administration for over ten years.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationGuardianshipProbate Administration

Office
2802 N 5th St.St. Augustine, FL 32084
Free consultation

Solo PracticePalm Coast, FL

Eldredge and Davis, P.A.

Since 1986 · Serves 1 county

Palm Coast firm serving Flagler County families with probate — summary, formal, and ancillary administration — plus trust administration, wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and health care surrogate designations. Managing partner Mike Davis carries on the practice David Eldredge (1945-2018) established in Flagler County in 1986.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
21 Old Kings Road North, Suite B-212Palm Coast, FL 32137
Free consultation

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 AdministrationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
233 East Bay Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1032Jacksonville, FL 32202
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSt. Augustine, FL

Law Office of Brittany Fraser Keith, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

St. Augustine solo practice serving St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, and Clay counties. Handles estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, and sealing and expungement. Brittany Fraser Keith is a St. Augustine native and offers consultations of up to an hour at no charge.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationSealing ExpungementWills Trusts

Office
1510 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite BSt. Augustine, FL 32084
Free consultation

FirmJacksonville, FL

Law Office of David M. Goldman PLLC

Since 2008 · Serves 6 counties

Jacksonville firm serving Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, and Baker counties, with a satellite office in Ponte Vedra Beach. Handles formal and summary probate administration, probate and trust litigation, guardianship, elder law and Medicaid crisis planning, and asset protection trusts. Practicing as this firm since 2008.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 4 more

Office
4115 Hendricks AvenueJacksonville, FL 32207
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 27 firms serving Flagler 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.