Gulf County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Handling the estate of a loved one in Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka, or Cape San Blas requires navigating the procedural standards of the 14th Judicial Circuit. In Gulf County, the probate process is designed to move efficiently through the court system, provided that local filing requirements and judicial checklists are strictly followed.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with a clear, predictable path through the Gulf County legal 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 14th Circuit cases, offering all-inclusive flat-fee pricing to provide your family with total financial certainty.

🏛️ Gulf County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate filings and official records are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the main courthouse in Port St. Joe.

Courthouse Name: Gulf County Courthouse
Address: 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd., Room 149, Port St. Joe, FL 32456
Clerk of Court: Tonya A. Knox
Probate Department Phone: (850) 229-6112
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST

[!IMPORTANT]
2026 Will Deposit Rule: Under Florida law, the original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Clerk’s Office in Port St. Joe within 10 days of learning of the decedent’s death. Our firm handles the formal delivery and recording of Wills to ensure your case is opened without administrative delays.

⚖️ 14th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Gulf County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which also serves Bay, Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties.

Judicial Oversight: Probate matters are typically reviewed by a Circuit Judge or a designated General Magistrate. The court requires attorneys to submit official probate checklists for both Summary and Formal Administrations to ensure all statutory requirements are satisfied.
Proposed Orders: In 2026, all proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. This allows the judicial staff to process and sign orders digitally, significantly reducing wait times for Letters of Administration.
Zoom Hearings: Most routine or uncontested probate hearings in the 14th Circuit are conducted via Zoom. This technology allows our attorneys to manage your Gulf County case without requiring you to travel to Port St. Joe.

💰 2026 Gulf County Probate Filing Fees

Standard court costs for the 14th 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 / Caveat	$41.00

❓ Gulf County Probate FAQ

When is Summary Administration available in Gulf 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 (protected homestead), it often qualifies for this faster process regardless of the home’s market value.

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 legal work, document preparation, and court coordination, ensuring your family knows the exact costs upfront.

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

If you are not a Florida resident, you can only serve as a Personal Representative if you are a close relative (spouse, sibling, parent, child, or other blood relative) of the decedent. Our firm regularly assists out-of-state heirs with the remote management of Gulf County estates.

How do I list a property for sale during probate?

If the decedent owned real estate in Gulf County, we file a Petition to Determine Homestead or a Petition for Order Authorizing Sale. This provides the clear title required by title companies to close on a sale, ensuring a smooth transition for the buyer and the heirs.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

Our firm brings high-level circuit experience to the personalized service required in Gulf County.

14th Circuit Expertise: We are familiar with the specific checklists and judicial preferences of the 14th Judicial Circuit.
Financial Transparency: Our flat-fee model preserves more of the estate’s value for the beneficiaries.
Remote Management: By utilizing Clerk Tonya Knox’s 2026 digital filing systems and Zoom, we manage 100% of the probate process for you, regardless of where you are located.

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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