Columbia County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Handling an estate in Lake City, Fort White, or Lulu requires a firm that understands the specific procedural expectations of the 3rd Judicial Circuit. While Columbia County provides a more personal courthouse experience than Florida’s larger metropolitan areas, the court still requires strict adherence to Florida Probate Rules and local judicial preferences.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we streamline the legal requirements for local and out-of-state families. For a deep dive into the overall process, timelines, and asset rules, we recommend starting with our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. Our statewide probate attorneys specialize in Columbia County cases, offering all-inclusive flat-fee pricing to ensure your family has total financial transparency.

🏛️ Columbia County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate filings are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in downtown Lake City.

Courthouse Name: Columbia County Courthouse
Address: [invalid URL removed]
Clerk of Court: James M. Swisher, Jr.
Probate Department Phone: (386) 758-1041
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

[!IMPORTANT]
Original Will Requirement: Per Florida Statute 732.901, the original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Clerk in Lake City within 10 days of receiving notice of the decedent’s death. Our firm handles the formal deposit and recording of the Will as part of our comprehensive service.

⚖️ 3rd Judicial Circuit Standards

Columbia County probate cases are typically overseen by Judge Garrett Hill, who serves as the Acting Circuit Judge for Probate and Guardianship.

Judicial Preferences: The 3rd Circuit emphasizes the “Checklist” method. Before an order is signed, the court verifies that all beneficiaries have been served or have waived notice and that the death certificate is on file.
Proposed Orders: All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The judge’s staff reviews these digitally to ensure compliance with the 3rd Circuit’s administrative protocols.
Virtual Hearings: In 2026, many routine probate matters are handled through Zoom or on the “Motion Calendar.” This allows our attorneys to represent you without requiring you to travel to the Lake City courthouse.

💰 2026 Columbia County Filing Fees

Standard court costs for the 3rd Judicial Circuit (not including convenience fees charged by the State of Florida):

Probate Action	Court Filing Fee
Formal Administration (Full Probate)	$400.00
Summary Administration (Estates > $1,000)	$345.00
Summary Administration (Estates < $1,000)	$235.00
Disposition of Personal Property	$231.00
Notice of Trust	$42.00

❓ Columbia County Probate FAQ

When is Summary Administration available in Columbia County?

Summary Administration is an expedited, less formal probate track. It is available if the decedent has been deceased for more than two years OR if the total value of the non-exempt assets (assets that are not protected homestead or exempt personal property) totals less than $75,000. Our firm can review your asset list to see if your case qualifies for this faster timeline.

What does the “Flat-Fee” model cover?

At Florida Probate Law Group, we do not bill by the hour for uncontested probate. We provide an all-inclusive flat fee that covers all attorney time, document preparation, and court coordination. This ensures that more of the estate’s value is preserved for the heirs rather than being depleted by unpredictable legal costs.

Do I need to come to Lake City if I live out of state?

No. We utilize the 2026 e-filing portal and virtual hearing technology to manage your case entirely from a distance. Whether you are the named Personal Representative or a beneficiary, we handle 100% of the local courthouse requirements on your behalf.

What is the first step after a death in Lake City?

Beyond depositing the Will, you should identify any assets held solely in the decedent’s name. If there is a home in Columbia County that needs to be sold or transferred, a Petition to Determine Homestead will likely be required as part of the probate process to clear the title.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group for Columbia County?

Our firm brings high-level circuit experience to every case we handle in North Central Florida.

Streamlined Technology: We leverage the latest 2026 digital certification tools to secure your Letters of Administration as quickly as the court allows.
Estate Efficiency: We focus on moving cases to a close, avoiding the “open-ended” billing cycles common at other firms.
Clear Communication: You will always have a direct line to your legal team to track the progress of your Columbia County filing.

Client Reviews

I was very happy with her response to my questions and concerns about Florida probate. I am in Ohio and was not familiar with the process but they cleared everything up for me and made me feel comfortable going through the probate process with my loved ones will.

Roger

Honest and straight forward assessment of complex case. My case span both federal and state issues, as well as civil case of fraud which maybe criminal fraud. He told me what he could do, what his limits of scope were and what my best/safest position should be and gave me an outline of how to get...

S. Todd

The world of probate can be fairly daunting for one who has little to no experience. Between trying to figure out what to file and when to file, there is also the where. I was quite relieved to have Nadine and Cary to guide me through the court process.

Michael O.

I highly recommend using this law group for your Florida probate needs, and in particular, Charles David. He explained clearly what my 91 year old aunt would need to do in order to sell property that was in hers and her late husband's name.

Patti T.

Florida probate law group,was very helpful in answering the many questions that I had concerning my situation their input was very appreciated thank you.

Shirley M.

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