Orange County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Orange County—serving Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, and Lake Nona—is governed by the 9th Judicial Circuit. Orange County operates one of the busiest probate divisions in Florida, necessitating a highly structured, digital-first approach. For 2026, the court has updated its protocols to require specific “DivisionLinks” for all virtual appearances and has strict mandates for proposed orders to ensure they move through the judicial system without being “lost” in the high-volume queue.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we have extensive experience navigating the Orlando court system. We understand that the scale of the 9th Circuit can be daunting for families, which is why we offer a proactive, local-authority approach to ensure your case is handled with precision. For a comprehensive look at the legal framework, visit our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. We provide all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested Orange County cases, offering you total financial certainty.

🏛️ Orange County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate records and filings are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the central Orange County Courthouse.

Courthouse Name: Orange County Courthouse
Address: 425 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 335, Orlando, FL 32801
Clerk of Court: Tiffany Moore Russell
Probate Department Phone: (407) 836-2057
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Phone lines open until 12:00 PM)

[!IMPORTANT]
2026 Will Deposit Rule: The original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Clerk in Orlando within 10 days of receiving notice of the decedent’s death. While there is no fee to file the Will, the Clerk charges a $6.00 fee for an official receipt of the Will.

⚖️ 9th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Orange County probate cases follow the specific guidelines of the 9th Judicial Circuit.

Judicial Oversight: For 2026, the primary probate judge is Judge Heather L. Higbee (Division 02). Judge Higbee requires all proposed orders to be submitted via email to 2orange@ninthcircuit.org in Microsoft Word format only.
Mandatory Checklists: Per 2026 administrative orders, a checklist must be filed for Opening a Formal Administration, Closing a Formal Administration, Summary Administration, and Petitions for Homestead.
Docket Index Requirement: All proposed orders must include the docket index number or the e-filing number for the corresponding petition. Orders submitted without this identifier will be rejected by judicial staff.
Ex-Parte/Short Matters: Judge Higbee holds “Ex-Parte” hearings every Monday and Thursday at 9:00 AM for uncontested matters that are not handled as routine “in-chambers” pleadings.
Virtual Hearings: As of January 1, 2026, the court utilizes a dedicated division link for all Webex virtual hearings: https://ninthcircuit.webex.com/meet/2orange. Participants must appear with cameras on and use their full legal names.

💰 2026 Orange County Probate Filing Fees

Statutory filing fees for the 9th Judicial Circuit:

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
Audit Fee (Inventory > $25,000)	$85.00

❓ Orange County Probate FAQ

Can I handle an Orlando probate case if I live elsewhere?

Absolutely. Because the 9th Circuit is fully integrated with the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and utilizes Webex for hearings, we represent clients from across the globe in Orange County. You rarely, if ever, need to step foot in the courthouse on N. Orange Avenue.

What is a “Summary Administration” in Orange County?

Summary Administration is an expedited process available if the decedent has been deceased for more than two years OR if the total value of non-exempt probate assets is less than $75,000. In many Orlando cases, the family home is “protected homestead” and does not count toward this $75,000 limit.

How long does probate take in Orange County?

Due to the high volume of the 9th Circuit, routine orders can take 2 to 4 weeks for judicial review after they are submitted. Our firm’s “follow-up first” approach ensures that your case doesn’t get stuck in the system’s backlog.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

The 9th Judicial Circuit is efficient but requires absolute technical accuracy to avoid rejections.

Checklist Mastery: We ensure every mandatory 9th Circuit checklist is perfectly filed to trigger judicial review.
Digital Integration: We are experts in the courtMAP and Webex systems used by Judge Higbee’s division.
Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing protects your family from the costs of bureaucratic delays common in large metropolitan courts.

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.

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