Overview
Washington County is located in Florida with a population of approximately 26,503. The Circuit Court for Washington County, 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 Florida Statutes Chapters 731-735. 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 two primary simplified procedures for small estates:
* Summary Administration: Available if the estate's value (less exempt property) 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 reimburse the person who paid for the decedent's final expenses (funeral and medical bills from the last 60 days), provided the estate consists only of personal property exempt from creditor claims.
Florida law provides a statutory fee schedule for personal representatives and attorneys, which is presumed reasonable based on the value of the compensable estate.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Washington 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
Washington County Courthouse
Probate matters in Washington County are handled at the Washington County Courthouse.
Address: 1293 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428
Phone: (850) 638-6285 (Probate Department) | (850) 638-6289 (Main Line)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The Clerk of Court's office is located within the courthouse. The Probate Department assists with filing documents but cannot provide legal advice.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available around the courthouse building. Visitors should be prepared for security screening upon entry, including metal detectors and bag checks.
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 to reimburse funeral/medical expenses.
- Summary Administration: If the estate is valued at $75,000 or less, or the decedent has been dead > 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 Circuit Court for Washington County. Include:
- Original Last Will and Testament (if applicable)
- Certified copy of the Death Certificate
- Petition for Administration
- Filing fee (approximately $400.00)
- Oath of Personal Representative
- Designation of Resident Agent
Florida requires most probate documents to be e-filed by attorneys. Self-represented litigants may file in person or by mail, though hiring an attorney is highly recommended and often required by Florida law for formal administration.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Serve Notice of Administration on the surviving spouse, beneficiaries, and other interested parties.
- Publish Notice to Creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Washington County (e.g., Washington County News) once a week for two consecutive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court may schedule a hearing to appoint the Personal Representative. If the petition is in order and uncontested, the judge may issue Letters of Administration without a formal hearing in some cases.
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 appointment
- Pay valid creditor claims and taxes
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a Final Accounting and Petition for Discharge
Local Requirements
Washington County-Specific Procedures
- E-Filing: Attorneys are required to e-file documents via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
- Attorney Requirement: Florida Probate Rule 5.030 generally requires a personal representative to be represented by an attorney unless they are the sole interested person or a member of the Florida Bar.
- Caveat: Interested parties may file a Caveat ($41.00 fee) to be notified when a probate estate is opened.
- Publication: Notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Washington County, such as the Washington County News.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Washington County)
- Formal Administration: approximately $400.00
- Summary Administration: approximately $235.00 - $400.00 (varies by asset value)
- Disposition of Personal Property without Administration: $231.00
- Caveat: $41.00
- Certified copies: $1.00 per page + $2.00 for certification
- Publication costs: approximately $150-$300 depending on the newspaper
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, cashier's checks, money orders, and credit cards (with a service fee). Personal checks are generally not accepted for opening new cases.
Estimated Timelines
- Summary Administration: 1-3 months
- Simple Formal Administration: 6-9 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2+ years
The creditor claim period in Florida is 3 months from the date of first publication, which sets a minimum timeline for formal administration.
Local Resources
Washington County Court Resources
- Court Website: washingtonclerk.com
- Probate Information: washingtonclerk.com/court-information/probate
- Florida Courts E-Filing: myflcourtaccess.com
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: floridabar.org
- Legal Services of North Florida: (850) 385-9007
Publication
- Washington County News: (850) 638-0212 — washingtoncounty.news