Probate in Highlands 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 Highlands 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
Highlands County · 10th Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Departments
Mailing: 590 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870-3867. Probate Court in Room 5 of the courthouse.
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 Highlands County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 430 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring. The court sits in the 10th Judicial Circuit. The same 10th Judicial Circuit also serves Hardee and Polk.
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 Highlands 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 430 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring. The court is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit.
Probate matters are handled through the Probate Services. 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 Highlands 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 10th Judicial Circuit.
Filings here are routed through the Probate Services. 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 Highlands 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 Highlands County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Original will deposited within 10 days; no fee
The will must be deposited by the custodian with the Clerk in the county where the decedent resided within ten days after receiving information of the death (F.S. 732.901). The decedent's date of death and Social Security number must be provided; there is no fee to deposit a will.
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 Highlands County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 430 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870. Phone: 863-402-6565. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to 590 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870-3867.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.
Highlands County accepts electronic recording through CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Highlands 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 Highlands 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. Highlands 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.
FirmSebring, FL
Heartland Florida firm with offices in Sebring (Highlands County) and Wauchula (Hardee County), advertising over 60 years of legal experience. Handles estates and probate, guardianships, wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, alongside real estate closings and civil matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
Solo PracticeArcadia, FL
Arcadia solo practice and one of the few probate firms based in Florida's inland Heartland, serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Charlotte, Sarasota, Lee, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Paul Seusy handles probate and probate litigation alongside elder law, real estate litigation and family matters, and states plainly that he is not certified by Florida as a specialist.
PracticesProbate LitigationElder LawFamily LawProbate AdministrationReal Estate Litigation
Solo PracticeSebring, FL
Sebring practice serving Highlands County and Florida's Heartland -- Sebring, Lake Placid, and Avon Park -- and, by its own account, the county's oldest law firm, established in 1940. Guides families through estate administration, from court acceptance of the will through liquidating liabilities and distributing assets to heirs, and handles guardianships and estate planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmBrandon, FL
Brandon firm headquartered on E. Bloomingdale Avenue, with probate offices in Lakeland and New Port Richey serving Hillsborough, Polk, and Pasco counties. Handles formal, summary, and ancillary administration, homestead and creditor-claim issues, and personal-representative duties, plus will contests, removal petitions, and trust litigation. Brice Zoecklein is the managing attorney.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationGuardianshipand 3 more
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
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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Step-by-step tools for families in Highlands County, Florida.
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