Lafayette County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Lafayette County—located in the heart of North Florida with its seat in Mayo—operates under the 3rd Judicial Circuit. Because Lafayette is one of Florida’s least populous counties, the probate process often feels more personal, yet it remains strictly governed by the 3rd Circuit’s uniform administrative orders and electronic filing requirements.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we help families navigate the unique, small-town atmosphere of the Mayo courthouse with modern efficiency. For a complete understanding of the legal landscape, see our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. We offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for Lafayette County cases to ensure beneficiaries receive their inheritance without the burden of unpredictable hourly legal fees.

🏛️ Lafayette County Courthouse & Clerk Information

The Clerk of Court manages all probate filings from the historic courthouse in Mayo.

Courthouse Name: Lafayette County Courthouse
Address: 120 West Main Street, Mayo, FL 32066
Clerk of Court: Steve Land
Probate Department Phone: (386) 294-1600
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

[!IMPORTANT]
Original Will Deposit: Per Florida law, you must deposit the original Last Will and Testament with the Clerk’s Office in Mayo within 10 days of discovering the decedent’s death. Our firm handles the formal filing and tracking of these original documents to ensure the estate is opened correctly.

⚖️ 3rd Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Lafayette County probate cases follow the circuit-wide standards of the 3rd Judicial Circuit.

Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate matters are primarily heard by Judge Darren K. Jackson. In a small jurisdiction like Lafayette, the judge often hears both county and circuit-level cases, making procedural precision vital for timely approvals.
Filing Format: All petitions and proposed orders must be submitted electronically via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The 3rd Circuit requires proposed orders to be in Microsoft Word format to allow for judicial editing if necessary.
Verified Inventory: In a Formal Administration, the court requires a verified inventory of all estate assets to be filed within 60 days of the issuance of Letters of Administration.
Remote Technology: Judge Jackson frequently utilizes Zoom for routine probate hearings. This allows our firm to manage your case in Mayo without requiring you to travel, which is especially helpful for out-of-state family members.

💰 2026 Lafayette County Probate Filing Fees

Standard court costs for the 3rd Judicial Circuit (note: convenience fees for credit cards may apply):

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

❓ Lafayette County Probate FAQ

When is Summary Administration available in Mayo?

Summary Administration is the “short-form” probate. It is available if the decedent has been deceased for more than two years OR if the total value of the assets subject to probate is less than $75,000. If the estate consists only of a primary residence (protected homestead), it almost always qualifies for this faster track.

What is the “Flat-Fee” model?

Probate shouldn’t be a financial mystery. At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide an all-inclusive flat fee for all uncontested Lafayette County probate matters. This covers every step from the initial petition to the final court order, so you aren’t surprised by billable hours.

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) to serve if you live outside of Florida. We regularly assist out-of-state clients in qualifying as representatives for local Lafayette County estates.

How do I handle the sale of real estate in Lafayette County?

If you are selling land or a home in Mayo or elsewhere in the county, we provide the necessary Order Authorizing Sale or Homestead Order. This allows the title company to clear the property for closing and ensures the proceeds are distributed correctly.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

Lafayette County requires a lawyer who understands the nuances of the 3rd Circuit and the localized preferences of the Mayo courthouse.

3rd Circuit Knowledge: We are experts in Judge Jackson’s requirements and the Clerk’s specific filing protocols.
Flat-Fee Value: We prioritize keeping the estate’s value in the hands of the beneficiaries.
Modern Convenience: We use 2026 e-filing and virtual appearance technology to handle the entire process remotely for our clients.

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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