Probate in Lake County runs through the Clerk of Circuit & County Courts: 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 Lake County, settling their estate runs through the Clerk of Circuit & County Courts. 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
Lake County · 5th Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Departments
Mailing: P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778.
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 Lake County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit & County Courts at 550 W. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Tavares. The court sits in the 5th Judicial Circuit. Lake County shares the 5th Judicial Circuit with Citrus, Hernando, Marion and Sumter.
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 Lake 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 & County Courts at 550 W. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Tavares. The court is part of the 5th 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 & County Courts (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 Lake County, Florida, you can file at the Clerk of Circuit & County Courts 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 5th 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
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Lake 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 & County Courts is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Lake County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Proposed orders and original wills mailed directly to the assigned judge / Clerk
Proposed orders with the Portal-stamped checklist are mailed by U.S. Mail directly to the assigned judge's office (not the Clerk); original wills and/or death certificates are mailed directly to the Clerk of Court. Proposed orders are held 10 days pending all required documentation.
SourceTo file at the Clerk of Circuit & County Courts 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 Lake County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 550 W. Main Street, North Wing, 3rd Floor, Tavares, FL 32778. Phone: 352-742-4100. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778-7800.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.
Lake County accepts electronic recording through CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Lake 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 Lake 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. Lake 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 & County Courts, 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.
FirmOcala, FL
Family-run Ocala firm with offices in Beverly Hills and The Villages, representing clients throughout Marion, Sumter, Citrus, and Lake counties. Handles estate administration and probate, estate planning, real estate, and business matters, with an affiliated title company for closings.
PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawProbate AdministrationReal Estate
FirmMaitland, FL
Maitland firm on Spartan Drive, founded in 1997, serving Orange, Seminole, Lake, Osceola, and Volusia counties. Handles probate and trust administration and trust and estate litigation -- claims against fiduciaries, will and trust contests, disputed trust accountings, and guardianship disputes -- alongside estate-tax, charitable, and special-needs planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 5 more
FirmWildwood, FL
Wildwood and The Villages elder law firm serving Sumter County and central Florida since 1992. Handles probate, trust and estate administration, guardianship, Medicaid and long-term care planning, VA Aid and Attendance claims, and estate tax planning. Eric C. Millhorn is a VA-accredited attorney authorized to represent claimants for VA pension and survivor benefits.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 2 more
FirmOrlando, FL
Orlando firm formed in 2003, with offices in Lake Nona, Tavares, DeLand, and Port Orange, serving Orange, Seminole, Lake, Volusia, and Osceola counties. Its estate group handles probate administration and probate litigation, guardianship administration and litigation, Medicaid and special needs planning, and estate tax planning. Partners Daniel B. Harris and Heidi W. Isenhart lead it.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationElder LawTax Planningand 5 more
Solo PracticeClermont, FL
Clermont solo practice serving Lake County and the Orlando metropolitan area. Michael G. Horton handles wills and trusts, probate and estate administration, trust administration, and post-death tax strategies, and holds a master's degree in taxation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
Solo PracticeOcala, FL
Ocala solo practice serving Marion, Sumter, Citrus, Lake, and Levy counties, including The Villages. Stanley W. Plappert represents personal representatives named in a will and those appointed by the court, advises successor trustees, and screens estates for summary administration. Also handles Florida probate for out-of-state families. Se habla espanol.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawProbate AdministrationReal Estate
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.
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
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.
Select your state and enter an estate value to see a detailed cost estimate.
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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Cost comparison vs. hiring an attorney
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 Lake 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.
