Franklin County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Navigating the probate process in Apalachicola, Carrabelle, and St. George Island requires a clear understanding of the 2nd Judicial Circuit’s local standards. In Franklin County, the court system maintains a specialized approach to estate administration, particularly for historical family properties and coastal assets.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with a transparent and efficient path through the Franklin County legal system. For a comprehensive overview of the laws and timelines governing these cases, we recommend reading our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. Our statewide probate attorneys specialize in Franklin County cases, offering all-inclusive flat-fee pricing to give your family total financial certainty.

🏛️ Franklin County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate filings are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the main courthouse in Apalachicola.

Courthouse Name: Franklin County Courthouse
Address: 33 Market Street, Suite 203, Apalachicola, FL 32320
Clerk of Court: Michele Maxwell
Probate Department Phone: (850) 653-8861
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

[!IMPORTANT]
Original Will Deposit: Per Florida Statute 732.901, the original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Clerk in Apalachicola within 10 days of receiving notice of the decedent’s death. Our firm manages the secure delivery and tracking of these documents to ensure your case is opened correctly.

⚖️ 2nd Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Franklin County follows the specific judicial preferences of the 2nd Circuit, which also serves Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, and Wakulla counties.

Judicial Oversight: Probate matters are typically overseen by Judge J. Gordon Shuler (Acting Circuit Judge) or Chief Judge Frank Allman. These judges require technical precision, especially regarding the identification of heirs and the status of homestead property.
Mandatory Checklists: The 2nd Circuit utilizes specific Probate Checklists for Summary and Formal Administration. These must be completed by the attorney and filed with the court to ensure all statutory requirements are met before a judge reviews the file.
Proposed Orders: All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. This allows the court to process and issue digital signatures more efficiently.
Virtual Hearings: Most uncontested probate hearings in Franklin County are held via Zoom in 2026. This allows our firm to represent you without requiring you to travel to Apalachicola.

💰 2026 Franklin County Probate Filing Fees

Current estimated court costs for the 2nd Judicial Circuit (not including convenience fees charged by the State of Florida):

Action Type	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

❓ Franklin County Probate FAQ

When is Summary Administration available in Franklin County?

Summary Administration is an expedited track available if:

The decedent has been deceased for more than two years; OR
The total value of the non-exempt assets subject to probate is less than $75,000.Because Florida homestead property is often excluded from the “valuation” calculation, many estates involving coastal homes in Franklin County still qualify for this faster process.

What does “Flat-Fee” Probate mean?

At Florida Probate Law Group, we eliminate the uncertainty of hourly billing. We provide an all-inclusive flat fee for every uncontested probate case. This covers all legal work, document preparation, and court coordination, ensuring that more of the inheritance is preserved for the beneficiaries.

Do I need to be a Florida resident to serve as a Personal Representative?

No, but you must be a close relative (spouse, sibling, parent, child, or other blood relative) of the decedent to serve if you live outside of Florida. Our firm works with out-of-state representatives daily to manage Franklin County estates remotely.

How do I obtain “Letters of Administration”?

Letters of Administration are issued during a Formal Administration. They provide the legal authority needed to access bank accounts and sell real estate. We utilize the 2026 electronic certification system to get these letters into your hands as soon as the judge signs the order.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

Our firm brings high-level 2nd Circuit experience to the localized environment of Franklin County.

Circuit Precision: We are experts in the 2nd Circuit’s mandatory checklists and judicial protocols.
Flat-Fee Certainty: No hidden costs or surprise bills.
Fast-Track Efficiency: By utilizing Clerk Michele Maxwell’s 2026 digital filing tools, we secure Letters of Administration and determine homestead status as quickly as the law allows.

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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