Statewide Probate
Attorneys in Florida
Attorneys in Florida
Gilchrist County Probate Court Guide (2026)
Handling an estate in Trenton, Bell, or Fanning Springs requires navigating the specific requirements of the 8th Judicial Circuit. In Gilchrist County, the probate process is overseen with a focus on administrative precision, requiring attorneys to utilize circuit-wide checklists and specific digital submission protocols to ensure estates are closed without technical delays.
At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with a clear, predictable path through the Trenton court system. For a comprehensive look at the laws and timelines governing these cases, we recommend reading our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. Our statewide probate attorneys specialize in Gilchrist County cases, offering all-inclusive flat-fee pricing to provide your family with total financial certainty.
🏛️ Gilchrist County Courthouse & Clerk Information
Probate records and filings are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in downtown Trenton.
- Courthouse Name: Gilchrist County Courthouse
- Address: 112 South Main Street, Trenton, FL 32693
- Clerk of Court: Todd Newton
- Probate Department Phone: (352) 463-3170
- Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
[!IMPORTANT]
Original Will Deposit: Per Florida law, the original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Clerk’s Office in Trenton within 10 days of receiving notice of the decedent’s death. Our firm handles the formal delivery and recording of the Will as part of our comprehensive service.
⚖️ 8th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures
Gilchrist County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit (serving Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties).
- Judicial Oversight: Probate matters in the 8th Circuit are typically managed using a combination of Circuit Judges and General Magistrates. In 2026, the court requires strict adherence to standardized probate checklists for both Summary and Formal Administrations.
- Proposed Orders: All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The 8th Circuit also utilizes a dedicated email system (probate@circuit8.org) for certain judicial communications and scheduling.
- Case Management: Effective January 2026, the 8th Circuit implemented updated Standing Case Management Orders (AO 3.09), which require attorneys to certify “good faith conferrals” before certain motions are heard, ensuring cases move forward efficiently.
- Virtual Hearings: Most routine or uncontested probate hearings are conducted via Zoom. This allows our attorneys to manage your Gilchrist County case without requiring you to travel to the courthouse.
💰 2026 Gilchrist County Probate Filing Fees
Current court costs for the 8th 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 |
❓ Gilchrist County Probate FAQ
When is Summary Administration available in Gilchrist County?
Summary Administration is an expedited track available if the decedent has been deceased for more than two years OR if the total value of the non-exempt assets is less than $75,000. If the estate consists primarily of a family home in Trenton (protected homestead), it typically qualifies for this faster process.
What is the “Flat-Fee” model for probate?
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 document preparation, filing with Todd Newton’s office, and coordination with the 8th Circuit judicial staff.
Do I need to be a Florida resident to serve as a Personal Representative?
No, but you must be a blood relative (or a spouse, sibling, parent, or child) of the decedent to serve if you live out of state. We work with out-of-state families daily to manage Gilchrist County estates remotely.
How do I list a property for sale during probate?
If the decedent owned real estate in Bell or Trenton, we file a Petition to Determine Homestead or obtain an Order Authorizing Sale. This provides the clear title required by title companies to close on the sale of the home.
📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group for Gilchrist County?
Our firm brings high-level circuit experience to the personalized environment of the Gilchrist County courthouse.
- 8th Circuit Expertise: We are deeply familiar with the 8th Circuit’s mandatory checklists and the 2026 Standing Case Management Orders.
- Flat-Fee Certainty: No hidden costs or surprise bills.
- Remote Efficiency: We leverage the latest 2026 digital filing tools and Zoom technology to manage 100% of the local courthouse requirements for our clients.