Statewide Probate
Attorneys in Florida
Attorneys in Florida
Liberty County Probate Court Guide (2026)
Handling an estate in Bristol, Hosford, or Sumatra requires navigating the specific judicial culture of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. Liberty County is one of Florida’s most sparsely populated counties, which often results in a more personalized experience at the courthouse; however, strict compliance with circuit-wide administrative orders and electronic filing protocols is still mandatory.
At Florida Probate Law Group, we help families manage Liberty County estates with high-level efficiency. For a comprehensive overview of the laws and timelines governing these cases, we recommend reading our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. Our statewide probate attorneys specialize in 2nd Circuit cases, offering all-inclusive flat-fee pricing to provide your family with total financial certainty.
🏛️ Liberty County Courthouse & Clerk Information
Probate filings are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller in Bristol.
- Courthouse Name: Liberty County Courthouse
- Address: 10818 NW SR 20, Bristol, FL 32321
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 687, Bristol, FL 32321
- Clerk of Court: Daniel Stanley
- Probate Department Phone: (850) 643-2215
- 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 in Bristol within 10 days of receiving notice of the decedent’s death. Our firm manages the secure delivery and tracking of original Wills to ensure your case is docketed correctly.
⚖️ 2nd Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures
Liberty County follows the specific administrative orders and judicial preferences of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which also serves Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Franklin, and Wakulla counties.
- Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate and guardianship cases in Liberty County are primarily assigned to Circuit Judge David Frank. Judge Frank is known for his thoroughness and requires technical precision in all filings.
- Mandatory Checklists: The 2nd Circuit utilizes a checklist-driven system to ensure cases are “ready for review.” Attorneys must submit signed checklists for both Summary Administration and Formal Administration before the judge will consider proposed orders.
- Affidavit of Heirs: In every case where there is no Will (intestate), the court requires a verified Affidavit of Heirs to clearly establish the family tree and ensure all legal heirs are accounted for.
- Proposed Orders: All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. These orders must have sufficient space at the bottom for the judge’s digital signature and the “service list” of all interested parties.
- Virtual Appearances: While the courthouse is in Bristol, most routine probate hearings are handled via Zoom. This allows our firm to represent families regardless of where they live, saving you time and travel expenses.
💰 2026 Liberty 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 |
❓ Liberty County Probate FAQ
When is Summary Administration available in Bristol?
Summary Administration is the expedited track. It is 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 only of a family home (protected homestead), it almost always qualifies for this faster process regardless of the home’s value.
What is the “Flat-Fee” model?
We believe probate costs should be transparent. At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide an all-inclusive flat fee for every uncontested Liberty County case. This covers all filings with Daniel Stanley’s office and the navigation of the 2nd Circuit’s strict 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 Liberty 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.
- Circuit Mastery: We are experts in Judge Frank’s specific requirements and the 2nd Circuit’s digital workflow.
- Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing preserves more of the inheritance for your family.
- Small-Town Service, Modern Tech: We combine the attention to detail required in a small county like Liberty with 2026 e-filing and Zoom tools to move your case quickly.