What to Do When Someone Dies in Orange County, Florida

Probate in Orange 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 Orange 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

Clerk of Circuit Court

Orange County · 9th Judicial Circuit

Address

425 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 335Orlando, FL 32801

Hours

Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM (call hours 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed

Departments

  • Probate Division407-836-2057

Home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and theme park industry. General info: 407-836-2000. Fax: 407-836-2269.

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Orange 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 Orange County, probate runs through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 335, Orlando. The court sits in the 9th Judicial Circuit. The same 9th Judicial Circuit also serves Osceola.

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 Orange County

What probate costs in Orange 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 425 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 335, Orlando. The court is part of the 9th 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 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.

How to File Probate at the Clerk of Circuit Court

If you're handling probate yourself in Orange 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 9th 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

Paper Filing Available

You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Orange County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.

E-Filing Also Available

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 Information

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Not 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 Orange County Self-Filing Assessment.

Orange County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Court Appearances

Probate ex-parte / short matters held Mondays and Thursdays at 9am

In the Orange County probate division, ex-parte and short-matter hearings are held each Monday and Thursday at 9am and must be confirmed by the judicial assistant. Hearing times are requested by emailing chambers. (Division-specific; confirm the assigned judge's standing procedures.)

Source

What to Bring

To 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.

Transferring Property in Orange 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 Orange County Comptroller.

Deeds and other real property documents for Orange County are recorded with the Orange County Comptroller at 109 East Church Street, Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32801. Phone: 407-836-5115. Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to Attn. Official Records, PO Box 38, Orlando, FL 32802.

The Orange County Comptroller charges $10 for the first page plus $9 for each additional page.

Orange County accepts electronic recording through CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Simplifile, Hopdox.

Recording Office Record

Orange County Comptroller

Orange County · County Comptroller

Address

109 East Church Street, Suite 300Orlando, FL 32801Mailing: Attn. Official Records, PO Box 38, Orlando, FL 32802

Hours

Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

E-recording

Available via CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Simplifile, HopdoxE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

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

Probate Attorneys Serving Orange County

Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Orange 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. Orange 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.

FirmOrlando, FL

Flick Law Group, P.L.

Serves 3 counties

Orlando firm on South Conway Road serving Orange, Seminole, and Osceola County families. Handles probate administration and probate litigation, opens estates and publishes the notice to creditors, and administers trusts; also does Medicaid and asset-protection planning. Senior attorney James J. Flick is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates and is a former CPA.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTax Planningand 4 more

Office
3700 South Conway Road, Suite 100Orlando, FL 32812
Free consultation

Solo PracticeDaytona Beach, FL

Jerry B. Wells, PL

Serves 5 counties

Daytona Beach probate and trust-litigation attorney serving Volusia County and central Florida, with 40+ years in Florida courts. Walks personal representatives through summary and formal administration and represents heirs in will and trust contests -- undue-influence, incapacity, and improper-execution claims. Offers contingency representation on certain contest matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationTrust LitigationSpecial Needs PlanningProbate Administration

Office
127 Magnolia AveDaytona Beach, FL 32114

FirmMaitland, FL

Kane and Koltun, Attorneys at Law

Since 1997 · Serves 5 counties

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

Office
150 Spartan Drive, Suite 100Maitland, FL 32751

Solo PracticeWinter Park, FL

Murrah, Doyle & Wigle, P.A.

Serves 1 county

Winter Park practice on North Kentucky Avenue serving Orange County. Focused on probate and trust administration, wills, trusts, and estate planning for families settling a relative's estate. Bruce M. Wigle, III has practiced in Florida since 1980.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1101 N Kentucky AveWinter Park, FL 32789

FirmKissimmee, FL

Overstreet Law, P.A.

Serves 2 counties

Kissimmee firm at 100 Church Street serving Osceola, Orange, and surrounding Central Florida counties. Attorneys Michelle L. Rivera and Eric S. Dolhon guide personal representatives and beneficiaries through Florida probate, from identifying estate assets through distribution, alongside estate planning, Medicaid planning, and real estate. Se habla espanol.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawBusiness LawProbate AdministrationReal Estate

Office
100 Church StreetKissimmee, FL 34741

FirmOrlando, FL

ShuffieldLowman

Since 2003 · Serves 5 counties

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

Office
1000 Legion Place, Suite 1700Orlando, FL 32801
See all 29 firms serving Orange County→

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.

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Legal Sources

Data sourced from Florida statutes and official state code. How we research.