FILING PROBATE IN ORANGE COUNTY:
A Practical Guide for Families
Quick Reference:
Where To File:
Orange County Clerk of Courts, Probate Division
Court Address:
425 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 335, Orlando, FL 32801
Probate Division Phone
(407) 836-2057
General Clerk's Office Phone
(407) 836-2000
Office Hours
Monday–Friday,
7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Phonelines
Monday–Friday,
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Summary Administration Limit
Estate assets ≤ $150,000 (excluding homestead), or 2+ years since death
Creditor Claims Period
3 months after notice is published, or 2 years after death if none served
Formal Administration Timeline
6 months to 1+ year
Judicial Circuit
9th Judicial Circuit
Losing someone is hard enough without also figuring out what Florida law requires next. If the person who passed away owned property in their own name, that estate almost always needs to go through probate—the court process that validates a will (if one exists), settles debts, and gets everything into the right hands. The law itself is statewide, but the day-to-day experience of filing depends a lot on the specific courthouse handling the case.
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This guide covers what that looks like in Orange County: where to file, how the local Clerk's office runs things, and what changes depending on whether you're the personal representative, a beneficiary, a surviving spouse, or a creditor. (Fla. Statutes Chapters 731–735) We maintain a similar guide for every Florida county, including Seminole, Brevard, and Volusia.
Where the Local Details Actually Matter
Every Orange County probate case runs through the Clerk of Courts' Probate Division at the Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando, part of the 9th Judicial Circuit (which also covers Osceola County). Florida probate law doesn't change county to county, but Orange County is the busiest probate division in Central Florida by volume—which means the Clerk's formatting requirements, e-filing procedures, and turnaround on fixing a rejected filing all matter more here than they might in a smaller county.
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Families throughout Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, Windermere, Lake Nona, and unincorporated Orange County all file through this same downtown division.
Before You File
Before submitting a Petition for Administration in Orange County, it helps to have on hand:
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A certified death certificate, plus extra certified copies for banks, title companies, or insurers who'll want their own
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The original will and any codicils, if one exists — the person holding it is required by law to deposit it with the clerk within 10 days of learning of the death, whether or not a probate case is ever opened
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A working list of the decedent's Florida assets — bank accounts, vehicles, real estate titled solely in their name
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Current names and addresses for beneficiaries and heirs, since formal notice has to reach them
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Some clarity on whether the property was a homestead, since that changes how it's counted toward the estate value
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A sense of what's time-sensitive — a mortgage payment coming due, a house that needs upkeep, an account someone needs access to soon
Given how much volume the Orange County division processes, incomplete heir information or a missing document at filing tends to cause longer delays here than in smaller counties—it's worth double-checking everything before you submit.
E-Filing and the Clerk's Office
Most attorneys file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, though status checks, certified copies, and fixing any deficiencies still typically happen directly with the Clerk's Probate Division. If you're representing yourself, confirm ahead of time what file formats and signatures the Clerk currently requires, whether your filing type needs a proposed order submitted alongside it, and how to obtain certified Letters of Administration once the court issues them.
Checking a Case or Getting Certified Copies
The Clerk's online case search covers most probate filings, though what's publicly visible depends on the document type. When a bank, title company, or insurer asks for proof of authority, a certified copy from the Clerk's office is usually what satisfies them—we handle this step for clients regularly when they're trying to close an account or sell property.
Documents You'll Need to Open a Case
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Certified copy of the death certificate
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The original will and any codicils, if one exists
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A completed petition for administration matching the type that applies
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A list of known Florida assets and their estimated value
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Names and addresses of beneficiaries and heirs
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For formal administration: an oath and designation of the personal representative, plus a designation of resident agent if the proposed personal representative lives outside Florida and doesn't qualify under the state's relative exception
Ready to get started with Orange County probate?
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Whether you're preparing to file, e-file documents, check a probate case, request certified copies, or gather the required paperwork, we're here to help you move forward with confidence.
Schedule your free discovery call today.
Step-by-Step: How Filing Works in Orange County
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Confirm venue—probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death
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Choose the administration type that fits the estate
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File the petition with the Clerk of Courts, downtown Orlando
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Case is assigned to a 9th Circuit probate judge; Letters of Administration issue for formal cases
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Notice to creditors is published (formal administration only)
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Personal representative administers the estate—inventory, claims, accountings
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Estate closes once the judge approves final distribution
This infographic shows the typical path a probate case follows through the Orange County, Florida probate court.
Summary Administration or Formal Administration?
Florida gives estates two main routes through probate, and which one applies comes down to size and timing.
Available when the estate's assets (excluding homestead) total $150,000 or less, or when more than two years have passed since the death. (F.S. §735.201—this cap doubled from $75,000 as of July 1, 2026.)
The full, court-supervised process, requiring an appointed personal representative to manage the estate from inventory through final distribution. (Florida Statute Chapter 733)
This infographic provides a side-by-side comparison of Florida's Summary and Formal Administration probate processes.
The narrowest option—available only when the estate consists solely of personal property and its value doesn't exceed what the family already paid out of pocket for funeral costs and reasonable final medical expenses. (Fla. Statutes §735.301)
Need help determining the right probate path?
Schedule your free discovery call today and get guidance tailored to your situation.
​Local Probate Court & Clerk Information (as of 2026)
Probate Division Primary Location:
Orange County Courthouse,
425 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 335, Orlando, FL 32801
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Probate Division Phone:
(407) 836-2057
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General Clerk's Office:
(407) 836-2000
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Office Hours:
Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
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Phone Lines:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
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Website:
https://www.myorangeclerk.com/Divisions/Probate/Probate
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E-Filing:
Required for most attorney filings via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; in-person filing remains an option
Representative image of the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando
(AI-generated for illustrative purposes)
What to Expect, Timeline-Wise
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Depositing the will: Within 10 days of the custodian learning of the death (F.S. 732.901), regardless of whether probate is ever opened.
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Notice to creditors: Published and sent to any creditors already known.
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Creditor claims window: Generally 3 months from first publication, or up to 2 years from the date of death if notice was never served.
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Formal administration: Typically 6 to 12+ months, depending on complexity.
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Summary administration: Often a few weeks to about two months once notice requirements are satisfied.
This infographic highlights the key probate deadlines in Orange County, Florida, from depositing a will to closing the estate.
Need help keeping your probate case on track?
Schedule your free discovery call today to discuss important deadlines and estate administration requirements.
What's Local to Orange County
The Orange County Clerk's Probate Division, at 425 N. Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, handles significantly higher filing volume than most Florida counties—worth building in extra time for document review compared to smaller circuits.
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Orange County's mix of long-time homeowners, hospitality and tourism-industry workers, and a large international and out-of-state resident population means heir-notice complications (addresses abroad or across the country) come up more often here than in many counties.
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Downtown Orlando's growing number of high-rise condominiums adds a wrinkle for homestead determinations that doesn't come up the same way with detached single-family homes.
Costs to Expect
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Clerk filing fees vary based on the type of administration—roughly $230–$340 for summary administration and $395 for formal administration, though it's worth confirming the current fee schedule before submitting.
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Publication costs for the statutory notice to creditors (formal administration only).
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Attorney's fees, often calculated under Florida's statutory fee guidelines for formal administration, though flat or hourly arrangements are also common.
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Certified copy fees for additional death certificates or court documents needed to transfer specific assets.
Want a clearer picture of potential probate costs?
Schedule your free discovery call to discuss your situation and the factors that can affect probate expenses.
Your Local Office for Orange County
LAKE NONA OFFICE
6900 Tavistock Lakes Blvd, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32827
Since Lake Nona sits within Orange County, this is the team's most direct point of contact for Orange County probate matters—filings, court appearances, and Clerk correspondence downtown are all handled from here. This office also serves Osceola County and the surrounding South Orange County area.
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Prefer not to drive downtown? Virtual consultations are available for Orange County clients who'd rather handle everything remotely.
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Oviedo Office — serving Seminole County and Central Florida broadly
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Daytona Beach Office — supporting Volusia County families, including small estate probate
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Miami Office — probate and estate administration for Miami-Dade County
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Other Tower Law Group® Locations
Searching for probate information outside Orange County?
Browse our Florida Probate Court Information by County directory for local court information, filing requirements, and probate resources across all 67 Florida counties.
Guidance by Role
Beneficiaries
You're not required to file anything, but confirming which administration type applies will tell you roughly how long the wait for distribution will be. In formal administration, you're entitled to notice of the proceedings and the right to review the estate inventory.
Creditor Claims
Claims generally must be filed within 3 months of the notice to creditors' first publication, or within 2 years of the date of death if no notice was ever served. Missing the window typically bars the claim.
Personal Representatives
Formal administration requires the personal representative to be represented by a Florida-licensed attorney in nearly all cases. The role includes inventorying assets, notifying creditors and beneficiaries, and providing an accounting before the court approves final distribution. If the proposed personal representative lives outside Florida, F.S. 733.304 limits who can still serve to close relatives of the decedent.
Surviving Spouses
Florida's elective share and homestead protections give surviving spouses rights that can affect how assets pass, even under a will that says otherwise. Given how much Orange County real estate qualifies as homestead, this is worth discussing with an attorney before assuming a straightforward formal administration is necessary.
Not sure what your role means in the probate process?
Schedule a free discovery call to discuss your situation and better understand your responsibilities and options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Working With a Probate Attorney in Orange County
Probate is rarely complicated in theory, but a high-volume courthouse, unfamiliar paperwork, and grief landing all at once make it feel that way fast. Having a team that knows how the actually operates helps avoid the delays that trip up self-represented filers.
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Carina De La Torre leads our probate team, with over 20 years of experience and standing as a member in good standing with The Florida Bar. She and the team work with families across Orange County and all 67 Florida counties.
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ARAG Network Attorneys — clients with ARAG legal insurance may qualify for covered consultations and representation.
Handling a probate matter in Orange County right now?
We're ready when you are.
Looking for more probate guidance?
Visit our Florida Probate Court Information by County directory for county-specific probate information, or attend a Wine & Wills event or educational webinars to expand your knowledge of probate and estate planning.
LEGAL REFERENCES AND SOURCES:
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Florida Probate Code: Chapters 731–735, Fla. Statutes
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F.S. §735.201 (Summary Administration) and §735.301 (Disposition Without Administration)
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F.S. §732.901 (Deposit of Wills) and §733.304 (Non-Resident Personal Representatives)
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Florida Rules of Civil Procedure & Probate Rules
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Orange County Clerk of Courts: Probate Division
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9th Judicial Circuit: Probate & Guardianship Information
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Florida Courts Self-Help Resources: flcourts.gov