Lee County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Lee County – covering Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and Lehigh Acres – is handled within the 20th Judicial Circuit. The 20th Circuit is known for its rigorous case management and the mandatory use of comprehensive checklists. In Lee County, the court will not review proposed orders until the required checklists are filed and all supporting documents are fully “posted” to the court’s electronic system (Odyssey).

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with a transparent and efficient path through the Fort Myers court system. For a comprehensive overview of state-level laws, visit our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. We offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested Lee County cases to ensure you have financial peace of mind throughout the process.

🏛️ Lee County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate matters are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Lee County Justice Center in Fort Myers.

Courthouse Name: Lee County Justice Center
Address: 2075 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 2nd Floor, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Clerk of Court: Kevin C. Karnes
Probate Department Phone: (239) 533-5000
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

[!IMPORTANT]
Original Will Deposit: Per Florida Statute 732.901, the original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Clerk in Fort Myers within 10 days of receiving notice of the decedent’s death. You can deliver this in person to the 2nd floor of the Justice Center or mail it to the Clerk’s probate department.

⚖️ 20th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Lee County operates with a highly structured digital workflow. Orders are submitted directly to the assigned judge via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Judicial Oversight: Probate cases (Division P) are overseen by several judges depending on the specific docket assignment. Key judges currently include Judge Alane Laboda, Judge Joseph C. Fuller, and Judge James Shenko.
Mandatory Checklists: This is the most critical part of Lee County probate. Attorneys must file signed mandatory checklists for:
- Petition for Formal Administration
- Petition for Summary Administration
- Petition for Discharge
Odyssey Posting Rule: Judicial Assistants in Lee County generally will not present proposed orders to the judge until all documents listed on the checklist have been successfully docketed in the Odyssey system.
Affidavit of Heirs: An Affidavit of Heirs is standard for both testate (with a Will) and intestate (without a Will) cases to verify the family tree.
Virtual Hearings: Most routine, uncontested matters are handled “in chambers” without a hearing or via Zoom. Our firm manages these digital logistics so families do not have to travel to downtown Fort Myers.

💰 2026 Lee County Probate Filing Fees

Current court costs for the 20th Judicial Circuit (standard statutory rates 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

❓ Lee County Probate FAQ

When is Summary Administration available in Fort Myers?

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 (bank accounts, personal property, etc.) is less than $75,000. Because the primary home (homestead) is usually exempt, many high-value estates in areas like Cape Coral still qualify for this faster process.

What is the “Flat-Fee” model?

At Florida Probate Law Group, we eliminate the uncertainty of hourly billing. We provide an all-inclusive flat fee for every uncontested Lee County case. This covers all filings with Kevin Karnes’ office and the navigation of the 20th Circuit’s specific checklist requirements.

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 regularly assist out-of-state families in managing local estates remotely.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

Our firm is specifically optimized for the 20th Circuit’s technical, checklist-driven environment.

Checklist Precision: We ensure every Lee County mandatory checklist is perfectly executed to avoid the common “deletion” of proposed orders by Judicial Assistants.
Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing preserves the inheritance for your family.
Digital Mastery: We use the latest 2026 e-filing tools to monitor the Odyssey docket and move your case through the Fort Myers court 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.

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