Losing a loved one is difficult under any circumstances, and the administrative side of settling an estate can feel overwhelming. Personal representatives working in this county often encounter both the statewide Florida Probate Code and local practices unique to the court handling the estate. Below you will find information about the Orange probate court, how probate works locally, and when legal counsel is typically recommended.
If you need guidance on opening, administering, or closing a Orange County estate, contact Bucelo Diaz Law or call (954) 399-1910 to schedule a free consultation.
Orange County Probate Court
- Court
- Orange County Courthouse
- Address
- 425 North Orange Avenue, Suite 2110, Orlando, FL 32801
- Clerk website
- Orange County Clerk of Court
- Phone
- (407) 836-2000
- Directions
- View on Google Maps
Key Takeaways, Probate in Orange County
- Probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled. For Orange 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 Orange County probate attorney.
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Opening a Orange County estate or unsure whether probate is required? Bucelo Diaz Law helps families and personal representatives across Florida navigate each stage of probate.
Contact NowLive in Orlando? See our dedicated Orlando probate attorney page for city-specific guidance.
First Steps After a Death in Orange, 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 Orange estates do not require an immediate filing, but early legal review prevents missed deadlines and protects the estate.
How Probate Works in Orange 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 Orange, 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 Orange when a non-resident decedent owned Florida real property or other assets located in the county.
Local filing rules, judicial assignments, and clerk preferences can materially affect how quickly a Orange probate case progresses. A lawyer who regularly practices in this county will know how motions are calendared, how long letters of administration typically take to issue, and what local forms the clerk expects. Because Florida law requires counsel for personal representatives in formal administration, most estates are not pursued entirely pro se.
A Orange 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 Orange County Probate Notes
Orange County, anchored by Orlando, is one of Florida’s largest probate jurisdictions. Bucelo Diaz Law represents Orange County families across the metro area for both straightforward and complex estate matters.
The Court
Orange County probate matters are heard in the 9th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Osceola County. The Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando handles probate filings; the probate division has one of the heavier dockets in Central Florida.
Communities We Serve
- Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland
- Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden
- Lake Buena Vista, Bay Hill, Doctor Phillips
- Pine Hills, Conway, Avalon Park
Common Orange County Estate Scenarios
- Central Florida residential estates with appreciating real estate
- Hospitality and tourism workforce family estates, often with retirement assets and modest real property
- Spanish-speaking community estates for the county’s growing Latino population (we handle Orange County probate in Spanish)
Three Ways to Probate a Orange Estate
Florida law offers three procedural paths for handling a Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange County?
Our Florida probate attorneys represent personal representatives and beneficiaries in Orange County and every other Florida county, by phone, Zoom, and e-filing.
Florida does not require a lawyer for every probate scenario, but formal administration generally cannot be pursued without counsel, and summary administration is rarely handled successfully without legal guidance when real property or multiple beneficiaries are involved. Hiring a Orange probate attorney is not about adding cost, it is about controlling risk. Personal representatives owe fiduciary duties to creditors and beneficiaries, and missteps can result in personal liability.
Our firm works with families and personal representatives across Orange to open estates, respond to creditor claims, resolve title issues on real property, prepare inventories and accountings, and distribute assets in compliance with Florida law. If there is a will contest, a dispute over the personal representative, or a question about whether an estate even needs to be opened, we can evaluate the situation and recommend a path forward.
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What to Bring to Your Orange 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 Orange (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 Orange County
Probate cost in Orange County depends on the size of the estate, the type of administration (summary or formal), the Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange Probate?
Many Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange
Where do I file probate in Orange, Florida?
Probate for a decedent who was domiciled in Orange at the time of death is filed with the clerk of the circuit court’s probate division in Orange. 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 Orange?
Probate matters in Orange 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 Orange?
Florida generally requires an attorney for formal administration. Even in summary administration, most families in Orange 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 Orange?
Summary administrations in Orange can often be completed in a matter of weeks once all documents are in order. Formal administrations typically take six months to a year, driven largely by the statutory creditor claim period and the complexity of the estate. Contested matters can take longer.
Do you handle Orange probate in Spanish?
Yes. Our team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys, and we handle Orange probate matters in Spanish for our bilingual and Spanish-speaking clients.
What if the decedent owned property in Orange and another county?
Florida probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent was a Orange 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 Orange resident but owned property in Orange?
You will need a Florida ancillary administration filed in Orange. The main probate happens in the decedent’s home state; the Orange 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 Orange County, Bucelo Diaz Law is ready to help.
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