Probate in Hillsborough, Florida follows the same state statutes that govern estates across the rest of the state, but the way cases move through the clerk’s office can differ from county to county. Understanding how the local probate division operates, including how and when to file petitions, notices, and inventories, can make the difference between a smooth administration and an unnecessarily drawn-out case. If you have been named as a personal representative for an estate filed in Hillsborough, or you are a beneficiary awaiting distribution, experienced probate counsel can help protect your interests.
If you need guidance on opening, administering, or closing a Hillsborough County estate, contact Bucelo Diaz Law or call (954) 399-1910 to schedule a free consultation.
Hillsborough County Probate Court
- Court
- George E. Edgecomb Courthouse
- Address
- 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
- Clerk website
- Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
- Phone
- (813) 276-8100
- Directions
- View on Google Maps
Key Takeaways, Probate in Hillsborough County
- Probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled. For Hillsborough County residents, that means filing in the local probate division of the circuit court listed above.
- Florida offers two administration tracks. Summary administration for smaller or older estates, and formal administration for everything else, including most estates involving real property.
- Counsel is typically required in formal administration. Personal representatives owe fiduciary duties that can create personal liability, so most estates benefit from a Hillsborough County probate attorney.
On This Page
Opening a Hillsborough County estate or unsure whether probate is required? Bucelo Diaz Law helps families and personal representatives across Florida navigate each stage of probate.
Contact NowFirst Steps After a Death in Hillsborough, Florida
The hours and days after a loved one passes are stressful. While probate can wait, a few practical first steps will make the process easier when you are ready:
- Obtain certified copies of the death certificate. The funeral home typically orders these. Get at least 6 to 10; banks, insurance companies, and the court each need their own.
- Locate the original will. Florida law (F.S. §732.901) requires the original to be deposited with the clerk of court within 10 days of learning of the death.
- Secure property and important papers. Lock the home, redirect mail, locate insurance policies and account statements. Do not distribute or remove assets before consulting an attorney.
- Notify Social Security, the IRS, and pension or retirement plan administrators. SSA notification stops further benefit payments and may trigger survivor benefits.
- List assets and debts. Bank accounts, retirement accounts, real estate, vehicles, life insurance, and any known creditor balances. This list will speed your first consultation.
- Schedule a probate consultation. Most Hillsborough estates do not require an immediate filing, but early legal review prevents missed deadlines and protects the estate.
How Probate Works in Hillsborough County
Florida probate is generally initiated by filing a petition for administration with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. In Hillsborough, that filing goes to the local probate division, which assigns a case number and routes the matter to a presiding judge.
Florida law provides for two core administration types, summary administration for estates that meet size or time thresholds, and formal administration for everything else. In addition, ancillary probate may be required in Hillsborough when a non-resident decedent owned Florida real property or other assets located in the county.
Clerk procedures, submission portals, and local administrative orders can differ from county to county. A petition that is ready to file in one Florida jurisdiction may need a different cover sheet, notice form, or filing sequence elsewhere. For that reason, working with a probate attorney familiar with the Hillsborough court can reduce delays and avoid rejected filings. Personal representatives in particular benefit from counsel because Florida law imposes duties, to creditors, to beneficiaries, and to the court, that can carry personal liability if handled incorrectly.
A Hillsborough County probate attorney can help you file correctly the first time, avoid delays, and meet every statutory deadline. Let’s talk about your situation.
Schedule ConsultationLocal Hillsborough County Probate Notes
Hillsborough County is the heart of the Tampa Bay metro and one of Florida’s fastest-growing probate jurisdictions. Bucelo Diaz Law represents Hillsborough families in formal and summary administrations across the Tampa area.
The Court
Hillsborough probate matters are heard in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The Hillsborough County Courthouse in downtown Tampa handles probate filings, and the local probate division processes a substantial annual caseload reflecting the county’s population growth.
Communities We Serve
- Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Carrollwood
- Plant City, Town ‘N’ Country, Westchase
- Apollo Beach, Ruskin, FishHawk Ranch
- Lutz, Citrus Park, Temple Terrace
Common Hillsborough County Estate Scenarios
- Tampa metro working-family estates spanning multiple generations
- Spanish-speaking and bilingual estates reflecting the county’s diverse Hispanic population (we handle Hillsborough probate in Spanish)
- Business owner probate, where the estate includes operating businesses, partnership interests, or commercial real estate
Three Ways to Probate a Hillsborough Estate
Florida law offers three procedural paths for handling a Hillsborough estate. The right choice depends on the size of the estate, where the decedent lived, and whether anyone is contesting the case.
| Type | When it applies | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Summary administration | Estate is $75,000 or less in non-exempt assets (rising to $150,000 effective July 1, 2026), OR decedent has been deceased more than 2 years | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Formal administration | Estate exceeds the summary threshold, within 2 years of death, or includes complex assets | 6 to 12 months |
| Ancillary administration | Decedent lived in another state but owned Hillsborough property (real estate, titled vehicles) | 4 weeks (short-form) to 6–12 months (formal) |
Not sure which applies? Schedule a free consultation and we will review the death certificate, the will, and the asset list before any filing.
Do You Need a Probate Lawyer in Hillsborough County?
As a statewide Florida probate attorney practice, Bucelo Diaz Law opens and administers Hillsborough County estates without you ever needing to visit the courthouse.
Engaging probate counsel in Hillsborough is often the difference between a short, orderly administration and one that stretches out for a year or more. Florida law imposes deadlines and duties on personal representatives, and an experienced attorney will make sure those are met while protecting the interests of the estate and its beneficiaries. For many families, the cost of a probate lawyer is a small fraction of the value at stake, and the peace of mind of having counsel guide the process is difficult to overstate.
We represent both personal representatives and beneficiaries in Hillsborough probate matters. That includes straightforward administrations, complex estates with multiple asset classes, and contested cases involving will challenges, elective share claims, or creditor disputes. If you are unsure whether you need a lawyer, or whether probate is even required, we can review the situation with you in an initial consultation.
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What to Bring to Your Hillsborough Probate Consultation
To make our initial conversation as productive as possible, gather what you can before our consultation:
- Death certificate (a certified copy if you have it)
- Original will, if one exists, plus any prior wills you can locate
- List of the decedent’s assets: real property, bank and brokerage accounts, vehicles, life insurance, retirement accounts
- Names and contact information for the surviving spouse and all beneficiaries
- Recent creditor letters or known debts
- Information about property the decedent owned outside Hillsborough (other Florida counties or other states)
If you do not have all of this yet, that is fine. We can begin with what you have and gather the rest as we go.
Cost of Probate in Hillsborough County
Probate cost in Hillsborough County depends on the size of the estate, the type of administration (summary or formal), the Hillsborough Clerk of Court filing fees, and any extraordinary services such as contested matters or out-of-state real property. Florida sets a presumed reasonable attorney’s fee schedule under F.S. 733.6171 and personal representative compensation under F.S. 733.617, but every Hillsborough estate is different.
Want a complete breakdown?
See the Florida Probate Cost Guide for the full statutory fee schedule, court filing fees, and worked cost examples for estates from $50,000 to $5 million. We also provide a written cost estimate at the end of every initial consultation.
Out-of-State Family Handling Hillsborough Probate?
Many Hillsborough estates involve families who live outside Florida. The good news: under Florida Statute §733.304, a child, spouse, sibling, or other qualifying relative can serve as personal representative even if they live in another state or country.
You typically do not need to travel to Florida. We handle the entire Hillsborough probate by Zoom, email, remote signature, and Florida Remote Online Notarization (RON). For a complete walkthrough of how Florida probate works for out-of-state and international families, see our pillar guide: Florida Probate From Out of State: Personal Representative Guide.
Related Probate Services
Frequently Asked Questions, Probate in Hillsborough
Where do I file probate in Hillsborough, Florida?
Probate for a decedent who was domiciled in Hillsborough at the time of death is filed with the clerk of the circuit court’s probate division in Hillsborough. The petition, death certificate, and original will (if one exists) are submitted to the clerk, who opens a case file and routes the matter to a probate judge.
What courthouse handles probate in Hillsborough?
Probate matters in Hillsborough are handled at the local circuit court. Courthouse and clerk information is listed above, we recommend confirming current filing hours and submission procedures directly with the clerk’s office before filing.
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Hillsborough?
Florida generally requires an attorney for formal administration. Even in summary administration, most families in Hillsborough choose to work with probate counsel to ensure filings are accurate and deadlines are met. A consultation can help you decide.
How long does probate take in Hillsborough?
Timelines vary. A simple summary administration in Hillsborough may close in a few weeks; a formal administration usually takes at least six months, in part because Florida requires a three-month period for creditors to file claims. Disputes, real-estate issues, or tax complexity can extend the schedule.
Do you handle Hillsborough probate in Spanish?
Yes. Our team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys, and we handle Hillsborough probate matters in Spanish for our bilingual and Spanish-speaking clients.
What if the decedent owned property in Hillsborough and another county?
Florida probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent was a Hillsborough resident with property elsewhere in Florida, the other counties typically do not need separate proceedings. If property is in another state, that state needs its own ancillary proceeding.
What if the decedent was not a Hillsborough resident but owned property in Hillsborough?
You will need a Florida ancillary administration filed in Hillsborough. The main probate happens in the decedent’s home state; the Hillsborough case transfers the local property only.
Nearby Florida Counties We Serve
Bucelo Diaz Law represents clients in probate matters across every Florida county. Explore nearby jurisdictions, or return to the Florida probate county directory for the full list.
Every Florida probate case turns on local procedure, statutory deadlines, and careful execution. If you’re dealing with an estate in Hillsborough County, Bucelo Diaz Law is ready to help.
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