In Belleview, Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services provides burial, cremation, funeral and memorial services and pre-need planning, with human composting available through a partner provider. It has operated since 1966 from the former Belleview City Hall, and Spanish-speaking staff are available.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Marion County, Florida
How probate works in Marion County: the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Marion County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
Marion County · 5th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
110 Northwest 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
Required for attorneysE-filing mandatory for attorneys since April 1, 2013. Optional for self-represented parties. Statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal for all circuit courts.
Filing in person
Walk-ins acceptedOnce the documents are in order, filers come to the Probate Division in Room 202 of the courthouse to file them. The filing fee is due when the petition is filed.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe Clerk's office cannot give legal or procedural advice, and refers heirs to an attorney when the decedent solely owned real property that must pass through probate. Disposition of personal property without administration is filed at the Probate Division and is not available when real property is involved. The Marion County Law Library in the Judicial Center holds probate and guardianship self-help materials with forms that can be copied.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCheck, Credit card, Debit card.Checks are payable to Clerk of Court. Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit and debit cards carry a non-refundable 3.5% service charge.
Self-help center
- Marion County Law Library, Marion County Judicial Center, 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala1-352-401-7841The Fifth Judicial Circuit's law library holds self-help materials for self-represented filers in probate and guardianship, with forms that can be copied and adapted. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offers copying and printing for a per-page charge.
P.O. Box 1030
Ocala, FL 34478
Departments
- Probate1-352-671-5658 · 110 Northwest 1st Avenue, Room 202 · probatedepartment@marioncountyclerk.orgThe same office, line and email serve guardianship and mental health cases.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Marion 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 Marion County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller at 110 Northwest 1st Avenue, Ocala. The court sits in the 5th Judicial Circuit. The same 5th Judicial Circuit also serves Citrus, Hernando, Lake 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. Creditors have 3 monthsFla. Stat. §§ 733.2121, 733.702 (later of 3 months from first publication or 30 days from service on a served creditor), 733.703, 733.705, 733.707, 733.710Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Marion County
What probate costs in Marion 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 and Comptroller at 110 Northwest 1st Avenue, Ocala. The court is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Florida charges $400Fla. Stat. §§ 28.2401(1)(g), (3); 44.108(1)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
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.
Florida sets executor compensation on a statutory schedule that is presumed reasonable — about $15,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 3.0%Fla. Stat. § 733.617Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Florida requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under 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 and Comptroller
Probate cases in Marion County, Florida are filed at the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller. The court sits in the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Probate.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit's law library holds self-help materials for self-represented filers in probate and guardianship, with forms that can be copied and adapted. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offers copying and printing for a per-page charge.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Florida has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Marion County Self-Filing Assessment.
Marion 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 deposited with the Clerk within 10 days of death
Under Fla. Stat. 732.901 the custodian deposits the original will with the Clerk having venue of the estate within 10 days after learning of the death, with the date of death or the testator's Social Security number. The Clerk also requires a death certificate to be filed with the original will, and depositing a will carries no charge. The depositor receives a Receipt for Deposit of Will showing the file number and filing date.
SourceProposed orders go through the e-filing portal in Word format
Marion County accepts proposed orders through the Florida e-filing portal, submitted in Word (.docx) format only, using the codes in the Fifth Circuit's sample order. Cover letters are optional and must be PDFs, and each judge's page states that judge's own submission procedure.
SourceDocument Requirements
Documents to begin a disposition of personal property without administration
The Clerk lists an affidavit, letter or other opening request, the original will if one exists, the death certificate, the funeral home statement showing who paid the bill, signed and notarized consents from all heirs, and statements for the assets to be transferred. If the judge approves the petition, an Order for Payment of Funds directs how the assets are distributed, and the institution holding them generally requires a certified copy of that order.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller: Verified Petition for Administration drafted to Fla. Prob. R. 5.200 (petitioner interest, decedent data, beneficiaries, venue, § 733.301 priority, will statement, asset value); Original of the decedent's last will and any codicils (deposited with the court within 10 days of knowledge of death, Fla. Stat. § 732.901), in a testate estateFla. Stat. §§ 733.101-733.402 (venue, petition, appointment, letters, bond); Fla. Prob. R. 5.200 (petition), 5.235 (issuance of letters, bond), 5.030 (attorney required)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Marion County
In Florida a death is registered locally, and in Marion County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Florida Department of Health in Marion County as well as by Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Registrar
Marion County · Florida Department of Health in Marion County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
1801 Southeast 32nd Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471-5532
Website
Certified copies
At the counter
Local rule
- A legible copy of a valid driver license, passport, state-issued ID or military identification card accompanies every request.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $10 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
District Medical Examiner
Marion County · District 5 Medical Examiner's Office
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
809 Pine Street, Leesburg, FL 34748
Website
Serves this county
District 5 Medical Examiner's Office (District 5 (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties))
Mail and offices
Fax
1-352-365-6438
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Funeral Homes in Marion County
18 funeral homes and crematories in Marion County, each listed with the services it offers, the faiths it serves, the languages its staff speak, its address and its phone.
In Ocala, Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society arranges funerals, burial and cremation for families across Marion County, including Silver Springs and Fort McCoy. Se habla español.
In Ocala, the Timber Ridge location of Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society provides burial services and cremation for families in Marion County, Citrus County and nearby areas. Its care of the deceased includes embalming, restorative art, dressing, cosmetology and casketing. Se habla español.
In Ocala, Clark Funeral Home on NW Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue plans funeral services with families.
In Ocala, Coast to Coast Cremations arranges cremation, including arrangements made online from home, and pre-planning. Its Downtown Ocala office is listed as open 24 hours a day, every day.
In Ocala, Crevasse's Simple Cremation provides direct cremation from its office on SW Highway 200, one of four it runs in Florida. Its own trained staff perform each cremation at the firm's own crematory, and the firm was founded in 2013.
Funeral homes by city: Belleview, Ocala, Summerfield
Cremation Services in Marion County
11 listings
Pre-Need Funeral Plans in Marion County
9 listings
Burial Services in Marion County
7 listings
Veterans Funeral Services in Marion County
4 listings
Funeral Transport in Marion County
3 listings
Spanish-Speaking Funeral Homes in Marion County
7 listings
Human Composting in Marion County
1 listing
Listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any funeral home or crematory.
Transferring Property in Marion 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 Marion County are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 110 Northwest 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. Phone: 1-352-671-5604. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.
Marion County accepts electronic recording through CSC, ePN, Hopdox and Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Marion County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
110 Northwest 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475
Website
Fees
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 October 16, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Marion County
Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Marion 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. Marion 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 and Comptroller, 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.
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.
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.
Ocala practice serving Marion County, opened by Shannon Mulkey in January 2022. Handles formal probate administration and summary proceedings, and advises personal representatives and trustees on avoiding common administration mistakes and personal liability. Mulkey has held Florida Bar board certification in Elder Law since 2016 and has practiced since 2008.
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.
Gainesville firm founded in 1927 by E.G. Baxter and E.A. Clayton, one of the oldest continuously operated law firms in Florida. Handles estate administration, probate, trust administration, and asset-protection and charitable trusts for families across eleven north-central Florida counties, from Alachua and Marion to Lafayette, Dixie, and Putnam.
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.
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.
Legal Sources
(8)·
- Fla. Stat. § 733.617
- Fla. Stat. §§ 28.2401(1)(g), (3); 44.108(1)
- Fla. Stat. §§ 733.101-733.402 (venue, petition, appointment, letters, bond); Fla. Prob. R. 5.200 (petition), 5.235 (issuance of letters, bond), 5.030 (attorney required)
- Fla. Stat. §§ 733.2121, 733.702 (later of 3 months from first publication or 30 days from service on a served creditor), 733.703, 733.705, 733.707, 733.710
- Fla. Stat. 28.24(13), (13)(c), (13)(d), (13)(e); Fla. Stat. 201.02(1)(a)
- Marion County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller, official page
- Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court, official page
- Marion County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Florida statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Florida
Free tools for settling an estate in Florida: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Florida.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Florida: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysFla. Prob. R. 5.340; Fla. Stat. § 733.604Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsFla. Stat. §§ 733.2121, 733.702 (later of 3 months from first publication or 30 days from service on a served creditor), 733.703, 733.705, 733.707, 733.710Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Florida happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeFla. Stat. § 736.0101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysFla. Stat. §§ 736.0813, 736.1008, 736.10081Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
Florida has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
Get the Answer
Hire a Florida Probate Attorney
Browse vetted Florida attorneys handling probate matters.
Browse firms
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
