Overview
Manatee County is located in Florida with a population of approximately 458,352. The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller - Probate Division handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Florida probate is governed by the Florida Probate Code (Chapters 731-735, 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 Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Florida offers simplified procedures for smaller estates:
* Summary Administration: 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: A process to request reimbursement for funeral and medical expenses from the decedent's non-exempt personal property.
Florida law requires personal representatives to be represented by an attorney in most formal probate matters. Statutory fees for attorneys and personal representatives are outlined in Florida Statutes 733.617 and 733.6171.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Manatee 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
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller - Probate Division
Probate matters in Manatee County are handled at the Manatee County Judicial Center.
Address: 1115 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, FL 34206
Phone: (941) 749-1800 (Main) | (941) 741-4037 (Probate & Guardianship Division)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
The Probate Division is responsible for maintaining the files and records of all estate proceedings.
Parking and Access
Free two-hour parking is available on most downtown streets near the courthouse. For longer visits, the Judicial Center Parking Garage is located at 615 12th Street West. Juror parking is also available in designated areas. Be prepared for security screening upon entering the courthouse.
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 exempt property and non-exempt personal property used to reimburse funeral/medical expenses.
- 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 Manatee County Clerk of Court. Include:
- Petition for Administration
- Original will and codicils (if any)
- Certified death certificate
- Filing fee (approximately $400.00)
- Oath of Personal Representative
- Designation of Resident Agent
Florida requires most documents to be e-filed by attorneys via 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 Manatee County (e.g., Bradenton Herald or Business Observer) once a week for two consecutive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court may schedule a hearing to appoint the Personal Representative. In many uncontested cases, the judge may sign orders without a hearing if all documents are in order. Once appointed, the court issues Letters of Administration.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Serve Notice to Creditors on known creditors.
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 60 days of issuance of Letters.
- Pay valid creditor claims and taxes.
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
- File a Petition for Discharge and Final Accounting to close the estate.
Local Requirements
Manatee County-Specific Procedures
- E-Filing: Attorneys are required to e-file documents. Self-represented litigants may file in person or by mail, though e-filing is encouraged.
- Checklists: The Manatee County Clerk provides checklists for opening estates to ensure all required documents are submitted.
- Local Forms: Specific forms for "Disposition of Personal Property without Administration" are available on the Clerk's website.
- Publication: Notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Manatee County for two consecutive weeks.
Always check the latest Administrative Orders for the 12th Judicial Circuit for any updates to local rules.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Manatee County)
- Formal Administration: approximately $400.00
- Summary Administration: approximately $235.00 - $345.00
- Disposition of Personal Property without Administration: $231.00
- Caveat / Notice of Trust: $41.00
- Certified copies: $1.00 per page + $2.00 for certification
- Publication costs: approximately $100-$300 depending on the newspaper
Fees are subject to change. Check the Clerk's official fee schedule.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover). A service fee applies to credit card transactions.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (Summary Administration): 1-3 months
- Average Formal Administration: 6-9 months
- Complex or contested estates: 9 months to 2 years or more
Factors affecting timeline include the 3-month creditor claim period and any litigation regarding the validity of the will or claims.
Local Resources
Manatee County Court Resources
- Court Website: manateeclerk.com
- Probate Forms: manateeclerk.com/departments/general-information/forms/
- 12th Judicial Circuit: jud12.flcourts.org
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Manatee County Bar Association: (941) 741-4091 — manateebar.com
- Gulfcoast Legal Services: (941) 746-6151 — Provides legal aid to eligible low-income residents.
- The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 342-8011
Publication
- Bradenton Herald: (941) 745-7000 — bradenton.com
- Business Observer: (941) 366-3468 — businessobserverfl.com