Probate in Lee 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 Lee 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
Lee County · 20th Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Departments
Located in Lee County Justice Center. Mailing: P.O. Box 310, Fort Myers, FL 33902. Probate email: probate@leeclerk.org. Justice Complex lobby open 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
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 Lee County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 2nd Floor, Fort Myers. The court sits in the 20th Judicial Circuit. The same 20th Judicial Circuit also serves Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry.
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 Lee 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 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 2nd Floor, Fort Myers. The court is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit.
Probate matters are handled through the Probate Division. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Lee County runs a probate self-help center, which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case.
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 Lee 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 20th 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 Lee 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. Lee County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Lee County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Probate forms requestable by mail with self-addressed stamped envelope
Probate forms can be downloaded from the clerk Forms Library, or you may mail a request for forms and instructions, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, to the Probate Department.
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 Lee County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 2115 Second Street, 2nd Floor, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Phone: 239-533-5007. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.
Lee County accepts electronic recording.
Recording Office Record
Lee 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 Lee 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. Lee 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.
FirmFort Myers, FL
Fort Myers firm serving Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties, with a second office in Port Charlotte. Handles formal and summary probate administration, ancillary administration for out-of-state heirs, trust administration, will contests and trust disputes, and guardianship litigation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 5 more
FirmNaples, FL
Naples firm with a second office in Fort Myers, serving Collier and Lee counties. Handles probate and trust administration alongside estate planning and the real-estate work that follows a death, with more than two decades of practice behind it. The team takes clients in English, Spanish, Russian, and Creole.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate Administration
FirmFort Myers, FL
Fort Myers probate and elder law firm serving Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties, with a Naples office. Matthew A. Linde is one of only ten Florida lawyers board certified by The Florida Bar in both Elder Law and Wills, Trusts & Estates -- the only such attorney in Southwest Florida. Handles probate and trust administration, estate planning, guardianship, and probate litigation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 2 more
FirmFort Myers, FL
Fort Myers firm established in 1949, with a West Palm Beach office, serving Lee, Collier, and Palm Beach counties. The estate team handles probate and trust administration, fiduciary and beneficiary representation, guardianship, and Medicaid planning. Partner Mary Vlasak Snell practices in estate planning, probate, and trust administration.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 2 more
FirmNaples, FL
Naples estate and elder law firm serving Collier and Lee counties, with offices in Bonita Springs and Fort Myers. Seven attorneys handle probate, trust administration, guardianship, Medicaid and long-term care planning, and asset protection. Founder Pam Buff Baker is a Florida Bar Board Certified Elder Law Attorney. The initial vision meeting is complimentary.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more
FirmFort Myers, FL
Fort Myers firm on Royal Palm Square working the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in Lee County. Its estate and trust administration practice is set out as probate administration, trust administration for trustees, and fiduciary tax planning and compliance. Eight attorneys, two of them board certified by The Florida Bar in wills, trusts and estates and one in elder law.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Lawand 5 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.
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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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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 Lee County, Florida.
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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.
