Overview
Hillsborough County is the fourth-most-populous county in Florida, with approximately 1.5 million residents. The county seat is Tampa. The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court, Probate Division handles all estate matters for individuals domiciled in Hillsborough County at the time of death.
Florida probate offers two primary pathways: Formal Administration (required for estates valued over $75,000 or when the decedent passed less than two years ago) and Summary Administration (available for estates $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years). The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit is one of the busiest in Florida, processing a large number of estate filings annually.
Florida imposes no state estate or inheritance tax. The surviving spouse has the right to a 30% elective share of the augmented estate. Homestead property carries special constitutional protections. The personal representative must be a Florida resident or close relative of the decedent. E-filing is mandatory in Hillsborough County through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current requirements with the court or a qualified attorney.
Courthouse Information
George E. Edgecomb Courthouse — Probate Division
The Probate Division of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court is located at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa.
Address: 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 276-8100
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Probate Division handles estates, guardianships, and trust matters. Cases are assigned to specific probate divisions within the circuit.
Parking and Access
Paid parking is available at the courthouse garage and nearby downtown Tampa lots. HART bus routes serve the courthouse area. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit also provides streetcar service nearby. Visitors should plan for security screening and bring a valid photo ID.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine the Type of Administration
- Formal Administration: Required for estates exceeding $75,000 or when the decedent died less than two years ago.
- Summary Administration: Available for estates of $75,000 or less (excluding exempt property), or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years.
- Disposition Without Administration: For very small estates with only exempt property or assets insufficient to cover final expenses.
Step 2: E-File the Petition
Hillsborough County requires e-filing through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (myflcourtaccess.com).
Required documents:
- Petition for Administration or Summary Administration
- Original will (deposited with the clerk)
- Certified death certificate
- Oath of Personal Representative (for formal administration)
- Filing fee payment
Step 3: Notice to Creditors
For formal administration:
- Publish a Notice to Creditors in a Hillsborough County approved newspaper for two consecutive weeks
- Serve known or reasonably ascertainable creditors directly
- The creditor claims period is 3 months from the first publication date
Step 4: Letters of Administration
The court reviews the petition and issues Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary. The personal representative can then manage estate assets.
Step 5: Administration and Closing
- File an inventory within 60 days
- Pay valid creditor claims and expenses
- File a final accounting
- Petition for discharge after distributing assets
Local Requirements
Hillsborough County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing is mandatory through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
- Original wills must be deposited with the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit has local administrative orders governing probate procedures. Review these on the circuit's website before filing.
- Notice to Creditors must appear in a Hillsborough County approved newspaper for two consecutive weeks.
- Inventory must be filed within 60 days of appointment.
- Accounting is required before the estate can be closed.
Homestead Property
Florida homestead protections apply to Hillsborough County real property:
- Homestead generally cannot be devised if survived by a spouse or minor child
- The surviving spouse may elect a life estate or one-half interest as tenants in common
- Homestead is exempt from forced sale and most creditor claims
Elective Share
The surviving spouse may claim 30% of the augmented estate. The election must be filed within the earlier of six months after the Notice of Administration or two years after death.
Personal Representative Requirements
The personal representative must be a Florida resident or a close relative of the decedent as defined by Florida statute.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Hillsborough County)
- Formal Administration petition: approximately $395
- Summary Administration petition: approximately $340 (estates over $1,000) or $230 (estates $1,000 or less)
- Disposition Without Administration: approximately $230
- Notice to Creditors publication: approximately $100-$250
- Certified copies: approximately $2.00 per page
Fees are set by Florida statute and may be updated. Contact the clerk's office for current amounts.
Payment Methods
E-filing payments are processed electronically. The clerk's office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards.
Estimated Timelines
- Summary Administration: 1-3 months
- Simple formal estates: 6-9 months
- Average formal estates: 9-12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to several years
The minimum formal administration timeline includes the 3-month creditor claims period from the first publication of the Notice to Creditors.
Local Resources
Hillsborough County Probate Court Resources
- Clerk of the Circuit Court — Probate: hillsclerk.com
- E-Filing Portal: myflcourtaccess.com
- Thirteenth Judicial Circuit: fljud13.org
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Bay Area Legal Services: (813) 232-1343
- Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: (813) 221-7777
- Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: 1-800-342-8011
Publication
- Tampa Bay Times: Approved for legal notices in Hillsborough County
- Tampa Tribune: Check with the clerk for current approved publications