Statewide Probate
Attorneys in Florida
Attorneys in Florida
Holmes County Probate Court Guide (2026)
Handling an estate in Bonifay, Ponce de Leon, or Esto requires navigating the procedural standards of the 14th Judicial Circuit. In Holmes County, the probate process is straightforward but necessitates strict adherence to circuit-wide checklists and electronic filing protocols to ensure assets are transferred to heirs without administrative delays.
At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with a clear, predictable path through the Bonifay 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 14th Circuit cases, offering all-inclusive flat-fee pricing to provide your family with total financial certainty.
🏛️ Holmes County Courthouse & Clerk Information
Probate records and filings are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the courthouse in Bonifay.
- Courthouse Name: Holmes County Courthouse
- Address: 201 N. Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 397, Bonifay, FL 32425
- Clerk of Court: Sam Bailey
- Probate Department Phone: (850) 547-1100
- 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 Bonifay 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.
⚖️ 14th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures
Holmes County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which also serves Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, and Washington counties.
- Judicial Oversight: Probate matters in Holmes County are typically overseen by Judge Lucas N. Taylor. 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 14th Circuit requires specific “Petition or Motion Identifiers” on proposed orders to ensure they are routed correctly to judicial staff.
- Case Management: In 2026, the 14th Circuit continues to emphasize efficient case movement. Attorneys must certify that all interested parties have been served and that the appropriate timeframes for objections have expired before submitting final orders.
- Virtual Hearings: Most routine or uncontested probate hearings are conducted via Zoom. This allows our attorneys to manage your Holmes County case without requiring you to travel to the courthouse in Bonifay.
💰 2026 Holmes County Probate Filing Fees
Current 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 |
❓ Holmes County Probate FAQ
When is Summary Administration available in Holmes 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 Bonifay (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 Sam Bailey’s office, and coordination with the 14th 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 outside of Florida. We work with out-of-state families daily to manage Holmes County estates remotely.
How do I list a property for sale during probate?
If the decedent owned real estate in Bonifay or Ponce de Leon, 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 property.
📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?
Our firm brings high-level circuit experience to the personalized environment of the Holmes County courthouse.
- 14th Circuit Expertise: We are deeply familiar with the 14th Circuit’s mandatory checklists and digital submission protocols.
- 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.