When a family member passes away in St. Johns, the estate is typically administered through the local probate division of the circuit court. Personal representatives working in this county often encounter both the statewide Florida Probate Code and local practices unique to the court handling the estate. Our firm represents clients across St. Johns and the surrounding region in every stage of Florida probate.
If you need guidance on opening, administering, or closing a St. Johns County estate, contact Bucelo Diaz Law or call (954) 399-1910 to schedule a free consultation.
St. Johns County Probate Court
- Court
- Richard O. Watson Judicial Center
- Address
- 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
- Clerk website
- St. Johns County Clerk of Court
- Phone
- (904) 819-3600
- Directions
- View on Google Maps
Key Takeaways, Probate in St. Johns County
- Probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled. For St. Johns 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 St. Johns County probate attorney.
On This Page
Opening a St. Johns 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 St. Johns, 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 St. Johns estates do not require an immediate filing, but early legal review prevents missed deadlines and protects the estate.
How Probate Works in St. Johns County
The probate process in St. Johns tracks the procedural framework set out in the Florida Probate Code and the Florida Probate Rules. It starts with the filing of a death certificate, original will (if one exists), and a petition describing the estate and proposed personal representative.
Florida recognizes two principal types of administration: summary administration, available when the probate estate is valued at $75,000 or less (excluding exempt property) or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years, and formal administration, which applies to most larger estates and requires the appointment of a personal representative. Which path applies in a given St. Johns estate depends on the facts, not the county itself.
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 St. Johns 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 St. Johns 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 ConsultationThree Ways to Probate a St. Johns Estate
Florida law offers three procedural paths for handling a St. Johns 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 St. Johns 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 St. Johns County?
As a statewide Florida probate attorney practice, Bucelo Diaz Law opens and administers St. Johns County estates without you ever needing to visit the courthouse.
Whether you need a lawyer in St. Johns depends on the size and complexity of the estate, whether there is a will, whether there are real property or out-of-state assets, and whether beneficiaries are in agreement. Florida law requires a licensed attorney to represent the personal representative in formal administration, and most summary administrations also benefit from legal guidance. Working with counsel familiar with the St. Johns probate court can significantly reduce the stress of the process.
Our attorneys handle probate matters across Florida and regularly work with families in St. Johns. We can help you determine which type of administration applies, prepare and file the necessary petitions, respond to creditors, and close the estate. If the matter is contested, for example, a challenge to a will or a dispute among beneficiaries, we explain your options and coordinate with experienced probate litigation counsel, while continuing to guide the estate through administration.
Schedule a Phone Call Zoom Consultation
What to Bring to Your St. Johns 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 St. Johns (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 St. Johns County
Probate cost in St. Johns County depends on the size of the estate, the type of administration (summary or formal), the St. Johns 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 St. Johns 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 St. Johns Probate?
Many St. Johns 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 St. Johns 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 St. Johns
Where do I file probate in St. Johns, Florida?
You file probate in the Florida county where the decedent lived, for St. Johns residents, that means the local clerk of court’s probate division. If the decedent lived elsewhere in Florida but owned real property in St. Johns, a separate ancillary proceeding may be opened here.
What courthouse handles probate in St. Johns?
Probate matters in St. Johns 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 St. Johns?
Florida generally requires an attorney for formal administration. Even in summary administration, most families in St. Johns 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 St. Johns?
Timelines vary. A simple summary administration in St. Johns 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 St. Johns probate in Spanish?
Yes. Our team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys, and we handle St. Johns probate matters in Spanish for our bilingual and Spanish-speaking clients.
What if the decedent owned property in St. Johns and another county?
Florida probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent was a St. Johns 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 St. Johns resident but owned property in St. Johns?
You will need a Florida ancillary administration filed in St. Johns. The main probate happens in the decedent’s home state; the St. Johns 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 St. Johns County, Bucelo Diaz Law is ready to help.
Schedule Your Free Consultation