Probate in Gulf 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 Gulf 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
Gulf County · 14th Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Departments
Alternate phone: 850-639-5068. Hours in Eastern Time (EST). Annex: 153 N 3rd Street, Wewahitchka, FL 32465 (850-639-2175), open Fridays only 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM CST.
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 Gulf County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Boulevard, Room 149, Port St. Joe. The court sits in the 14th Judicial Circuit. The same 14th Judicial Circuit also serves Bay, Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson and Washington.
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 Gulf 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 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Boulevard, Room 149, Port St. Joe. The court is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit.
Probate matters are handled through the County Civil / Probate / Small Claims. 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.
If you're handling probate yourself in Gulf 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 14th Judicial Circuit.
Filings here are routed through the County Civil / Probate / Small Claims. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Gulf 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 is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Gulf County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration document checklist
Requires the original will (if any), death certificate, a funeral home statement showing payment, signed notarized consents from all heirs, and asset documentation (bank statements, stock certificates, insurance). Not available when real property is involved.
SourceOriginal will deposited within 10 days; no fee
Per F.S. 732.901 the original will must be deposited with the Clerk within 10 days of receiving information the testator is dead; a death certificate is required. There is no filing fee and the depositor receives a Receipt for Deposit of Will. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus $2.00 certification.
SourceTo 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.
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 Gulf County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Boulevard, Room 148, Port St. Joe, FL 32456. Phone: 850-229-6112. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.
Gulf County accepts electronic recording through CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Simplifile, Hopdox.
Recording Office Record
Gulf County
Address
Phone
Hours
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 Gulf 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. Gulf 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 PracticeApalachicola, FL
Apalachicola solo practice serving Franklin, Wakulla, Liberty, and Gulf counties, one of the few firms covering this stretch of the Forgotten Coast. Donna Duncan handles estate planning and probate for residents of the remote coastal Panhandle.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration
Solo PracticePanama City, FL
Boutique tax and estate practice in Panama City serving Bay County and the surrounding Northwest Florida panhandle. Advises executors and trustees on their fiduciary duties, defends estate tax and valuation audits, and handles estate and gift tax planning, business succession, and special needs planning. Laura C. Pyne is also a CPA and worked at KPMG and PwC.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningSpecial Needs Planningand 4 more
FirmPanama City, FL
Panama City firm founded in 1985 serving Bay County and the surrounding rural panhandle -- Gulf, Calhoun, Washington, Holmes, Jackson, and Walton counties. Handles elder law, estate planning, and probate alongside personal injury and civil litigation. Pamela Dru Sutton has practiced 30+ years with Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer-review rating.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawCivil LitigationProbate Administration
FirmGainesville, FL
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
FirmBradenton, FL
Bradenton firm on State Road 70 East serving Manatee and Sarasota families, and accepting probate cases in any Florida county. Guides personal representatives and trustees through probate and trust administration, and handles estate planning, wills, trusts, and elder law as a National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys member. Rodney D. Gerling and Dana Laganella Gerling founded the firm in 2004.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmFort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale two-attorney firm in which both partners hold Florida Bar board certification: David Shulman in Wills, Trusts and Estates and Jill Ginsberg in Elder Law. Handles probate and trust administration for Broward and Palm Beach fiduciaries, plus guardianship — including emergency temporary guardianship — estate planning, and asset protection. Takes probate matters anywhere in Florida.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 4 more
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.
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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Vehicles, jewelry, collectibles, etc.
Mortgages, credit cards, loans, etc.
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 Gulf County, Florida.
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