Overview
Levy County is located in Florida with a population of approximately 46,000. The Eighth Judicial Circuit Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Florida probate is governed by Chapters 731-735 of the Florida Statutes. The process begins with filing a Petition for Administration to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters of Administration for testate (with a will) and intestate (without a will) estates.
Summary Administration is a simplified procedure available if the estate value is $75,000 or less, or if the decedent has been dead for more than two years. Disposition of Personal Property without Administration is available for very small estates to reimburse the person who paid for funeral and medical expenses.
Florida does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys, but reasonable fees are often presumed based on the value of the estate (e.g., roughly 3% for estates between $100k and $1M). Personal representatives are also entitled to a commission, typically starting at 3% of the probate estate value.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Levy County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Levy County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Probate matters in Levy County are handled at the Levy County Courthouse.
Address: 355 South Court Street, Bronson, FL 32621
Phone: (352) 486-5266 (Probate Department)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Probate Department is responsible for maintaining files on estates, wills, and guardianships. It is located within the Clerk of Court's office at the courthouse.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available around the courthouse in Bronson. Visitors should be prepared for security screening upon entry.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Disposition of Personal Property without Administration: For very small estates consisting only of personal property (exempt from creditors) that does not exceed the sum of preferred funeral expenses and medical expenses from the last 60 days of illness.
- Summary Administration: If the estate is valued at $75,000 or less, or the decedent has been dead for more than 2 years.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition for Administration with the Levy County Clerk of Court. Include:
- Original Last Will and Testament (if any)
- Certified copy of the Death Certificate
- Petition for Administration
- Filing fee (approx. $400.00)
- Oath of Personal Representative
- Designation of Resident Agent
E-filing is available and encouraged for attorneys through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Serve Notice of Administration on interested parties (surviving spouse, beneficiaries, etc.).
- Publish Notice to Creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Levy County (e.g., Levy County Citizen) once a week for two consecutive weeks.
- Serve Notice to Creditors on known creditors.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court may schedule a hearing to appoint the Personal Representative. If the petition is in order, the judge issues Letters of Administration, granting authority to manage estate assets.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 60 days of issuance of Letters.
- Pay valid creditor claims and object to invalid ones.
- File federal and state tax returns as needed.
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries according to the will or state law.
- File a Petition for Discharge and Final Accounting to close the estate.
Local Requirements
Levy County-Specific Procedures
- E-Filing: Attorneys are generally required to file documents electronically via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
- Local Forms: The Levy County Clerk provides packets for "Disposition of Personal Property without Administration" for those proceeding without an attorney.
- Publication: Notice to Creditors must be published in a newspaper of general circulation within Levy County, such as the Levy County Citizen.
- Guardianship: The Probate Department also handles guardianship files for minors and incapacitated persons.
The Clerk's office notes that "Family Administration" is sometimes used for estates under $60,000 consisting solely of personal property, though Summary Administration is the standard statutory term.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Levy County)
- Formal Administration: approximately $400.00
- Summary Administration: approximately $345.00
- Disposition of Personal Property without Administration: approximately $231.00
- Caveat: approximately $41.00
- Publication costs: approximately $150-$300 depending on the newspaper
Note: Fees are subject to change. Contact the Clerk's office at (352) 486-5266 ext. 1259 for the most current fee schedule.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, cashier's checks, money orders, and credit cards (with a service fee). Personal checks may not be accepted for new case filings.
Estimated Timelines
- Disposition without Administration: 2-4 weeks
- Summary Administration: 1-3 months
- Formal Administration (Simple): 6-9 months
- Complex or contested estates: 9 months to 2+ years
Factors affecting the timeline include the 3-month creditor claim period and any disputes among beneficiaries.
Local Resources
Levy County Court Resources
- Court Website: levyclerk.com
- Probate Self-Help: Levy Clerk Probate Info
- Florida Courts Help: flcourts.org
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association: (352) 380-0333 — 8jcba.org
- Three Rivers Legal Services: (352) 372-0519 — Provides legal help to low-income residents.
- The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: floridabar.org
Publication
- Levy County Citizen: (352) 493-4796 — chronicleonline.com