Lake County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Lake County—covering Tavares, Clermont, Leesburg, and The Villages—is governed by the 5th Judicial Circuit. The Lake County Probate Division is known for its highly procedural nature, requiring attorneys to use specific local checklists and adhere to strict administrative orders (such as L-2022-24-A and L-2023-27) to ensure cases move through the Tavares judicial center without being rejected.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with a transparent and efficient path through the Lake County court system. For a comprehensive overview of state-level laws and timelines, we recommend reading our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. Our statewide probate attorneys specialize in 5th Circuit cases, offering all-inclusive flat-fee pricing to give your family total financial certainty.

🏛️ Lake County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate matters are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Lake County Judicial Center in Tavares.

• Courthouse Name: Lake County Judicial Center
• Address: 550 W. Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778
• Clerk of Court: Gary J. Cooney
• Probate Department Phone: (352) 742-4122
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

[!IMPORTANT]

2026 Original Will Deposit: Florida law requires the original Last Will and Testament to be deposited with the Clerk in Tavares within 10 days of receiving notice of the decedent’s death. Per Administrative Order L-2023-28, Lake County requires a specific “Notice Regarding Will” form to accompany this deposit.

⚖️ 5th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Lake County probate is a “checklist-heavy” environment. The court will not review proposed orders until the file is 100% compliant with local administrative orders.

• Judicial Oversight: For 2026, the primary probate judges in Lake County include Judge James R. Baxley (Administrative Judge), Judge Heidi Davis, Judge Dan R. Mosley, and Judge Brian Welke.
• Mandatory Checklists: The court utilizes several mandatory checklists that must be e-filed with the court before an order is signed:
  • Checklist for Opening Formal Administration
  • Checklist for Summary Administration
  • Checklist for Determining Homestead Status
• The 10-Day Rule: Per local procedures, once a proposed order is submitted, the judge’s office holds it for 10 days pending receipt of all required documentation. If the file is still incomplete after 10 days, the documents may be destroyed or rejected, requiring a full resubmission.
• Affidavit of Heirs: Per Administrative Order L-2023-27, an Affidavit of Heirs is required in almost all cases to verify the family tree and ensure no beneficiaries have been omitted.
• Virtual Hearings: Most routine Lake County probate matters are handled via Zoom. Our firm manages these digital appearances so that you don’t have to travel to Tavares for court dates.

💰 2026 Lake County Probate Filing Fees

Current court costs for the 5th Judicial Circuit (not including convenience fees):

❓ Lake County Probate FAQ

When is Summary Administration available in Lake County?

Summary Administration is available if the decedent has been deceased for more than two years OR if the total value of the non-exempt assets (bank accounts, stocks, non-homestead land) is less than $75,000. Because Lake County has many retirees in The Villages and Clermont, many estates qualify for this expedited track because their primary home is “exempt” from this limit.

What is the “Flat-Fee” model?

At Florida Probate Law Group, we eliminate the uncertainty of billable hours. We provide an all-inclusive flat fee for every uncontested Lake County case. This covers all filings with Clerk Gary Cooney’s office and the navigation of the 5th Circuit’s strict checklist requirements.

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, child, sibling, or parent). We work with out-of-state families daily to manage Lake County estates remotely.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

Our firm is specifically structured to handle the technical, checklist-driven environment of the 5th Judicial Circuit.

• Checklist Mastery: We ensure every local form (L-2023-27, L-2023-28, etc.) is perfectly executed to avoid the “10-day rejection” rule.
• Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing preserves the inheritance for the family.
• Modern Efficiency: We leverage 2026 e-filing and Zoom tools to manage the entire Lake County process for you from a distance.