Leon County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Leon County—serving Tallahassee, Woodville, and Fort Braden—is governed by the 2nd Judicial Circuit. As the seat of Florida’s state government, the Tallahassee courthouse is highly efficient but demands strict procedural compliance. The 2nd Circuit is particularly known for its “checklist-first” culture, where judges typically will not review a file until the attorney certifies that every administrative box has been checked.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with a clear, predictable path through the Tallahassee court system. For a comprehensive overview of state requirements, visit our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. We offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested Leon County cases, ensuring your family has total financial certainty.

🏛️ Leon County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate and guardianship filings are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller at the Leon County Courthouse.

Courthouse Name: Leon County Courthouse
Address: 301 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Clerk of Court: Gwen Marshall Knight
Probate Department Phone: (850) 606-4030
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

[!IMPORTANT]
Original Will Deposit: Per Florida law, the original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Clerk in Tallahassee within 10 days of learning of the decedent’s death. Our firm handles the secure delivery and tracking of original Wills to ensure your case is docketed correctly.

⚖️ 2nd Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Leon County follows the specific administrative orders and judicial preferences of the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate and guardianship cases are primarily assigned to Circuit Judge Dawn Caloca-Johnson. Judge Caloca-Johnson requires technical precision and the use of mandatory 2nd Circuit checklists.
Mandatory Checklists: The 2nd Circuit requires attorneys to submit signed checklists for:
- Formal Administration Opening Checklist
- Summary Administration Checklist
- Formal Administration Closing Checklist
Affidavit of Heirs: A detailed Affidavit of Heirs is required in all cases (both with and without a Will) to verify the family tree and ensure all interested parties have been properly identified.
Proposed Orders: All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The court utilizes a digital signature system, so orders must have sufficient space for the judge’s electronic signature and date.
Virtual Hearings: While Tallahassee is a hub for in-person legal activity, many routine probate matters are handled “in chambers” or via Zoom. This allows our firm to represent you without requiring you to travel to the Monroe Street courthouse.

💰 2026 Leon County Probate Filing Fees

Current court costs for the 2nd Judicial Circuit (not including convenience fees):

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

❓ Leon County Probate FAQ

When is Summary Administration available in Tallahassee?

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, vehicles, etc.) is less than $75,000. If the estate primarily consists of a “protected homestead” property, it often qualifies 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 Leon County case. This covers all filings with Gwen Marshall Knight’s office and the navigation of Judge Caloca-Johnson’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 work with out-of-state family members daily to manage Leon County estates remotely.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

Our firm is specifically structured to handle the technical, checklist-driven environment of the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

Checklist Mastery: We ensure every Leon County mandatory checklist is perfectly executed to prevent delays in the judge’s review.
Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing preserves the inheritance for your family.
Capital Efficiency: By leveraging 2026 digital filing tools and Zoom, we move your case through the Tallahassee courthouse as quickly as the law allows.

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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