Hendry County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Navigating the probate process in LaBelle, Clewiston, or Felda requires following the specific protocols of the 20th Judicial Circuit. In Hendry County, the probate division handles everything from the legal transfer of agricultural land to the distribution of personal bank accounts, requiring strict adherence to local judicial checklists.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with a clear, predictable path through the LaBelle and Clewiston court systems. 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 Hendry County cases, offering all-inclusive flat-fee pricing to give your family total financial certainty.

🏛️ Hendry County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate matters are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the LaBelle Courthouse Complex and the Clewiston Sub-Office.

Courthouse Name: LaBelle Courthouse Complex
LaBelle Address: 25 E. Hickpochee Ave, LaBelle, FL 33935
Clewiston Address: 1100 S. Olympia Street, Suite 502, Clewiston, FL 33440
Clerk of Court: Kimberley Barrineau
Probate Department Phone: (863) 675-5217
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM

[!IMPORTANT] 2026 Will Deposit Rule: Under Florida law, the original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Clerk’s Office in LaBelle or Clewiston within 10 days of learning of the decedent’s death. Our firm manages the formal deposit of Wills to ensure your case is initiated correctly.

⚖️ 20th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Hendry County follows the circuit-wide standards established by the 20th Judicial Circuit.

Judicial Oversight: Probate matters are primarily heard by Judge Shannon H. McFee (Circuit Judge) and Judge Robert Ostrov (County Judge with Circuit assignment). Judge McFee provides specific Probate and General Motion Instructions that must be followed.
Mandatory Checklists: The 20th Circuit requires attorneys to submit official probate checklists (e.g., Summary Administration Resident, Formal Discharge, Ancillary) with every petition. These ensure that all legal boxes are checked before a judge reviews the file.
Proposed Orders: In 2026, all proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The court requires that all supporting documents (like death certificates and oaths) be viewable in the electronic file before the order is submitted.
Virtual Hearings: While Judge Ostrov typically prefers in-person appearances, many uncontested probate matters are managed via Zoom or handled “in chambers” without the need for a formal hearing. Our firm manages these logistics so you don’t have to travel.

💰 2026 Hendry County Probate Filing Fees

Current estimated court costs for the 20th Judicial Circuit (not including convenience fees):

Action Type	Court Filing Fee
Formal Administration (Full Probate)	$401.00
Summary Administration (Estates > $1,000)	$346.00
Summary Administration (Estates < $1,000)	$236.00
Disposition of Personal Property	$232.00
Notice of Trust / Caveat	$41.00

❓ Hendry County Probate FAQ

When is Summary Administration available in Hendry 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. Because Hendry County has significant agricultural and homestead land, many estates qualify for this process because the value of a “protected homestead” is excluded from the $75,000 limit.

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 and coordination with Clerk Kimberley Barrineau’s office, so you know your total 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). Our firm regularly helps out-of-state family members manage Hendry County estates remotely.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

Our firm brings high-level 20th Circuit experience to the localized environment of Hendry County.

Circuit Expertise: We are experts in Judge McFee’s specific requirements and the 20th Circuit’s mandatory checklists.
Flat-Fee Certainty: No surprise hourly bills or hidden legal costs.
Efficiency: By leveraging the 2026 digital e-filing portal, we move your case through the LaBelle courthouse as quickly as possible.

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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