Pasco County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Pasco County—serving New Port Richey, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, and Zephyrhills—is governed by the 6th Judicial Circuit. Pasco is a unique jurisdiction because it is split into two distinct geographic divisions: East Pasco (Dade City) and West Pasco (New Port Richey). In 2026, the court utilizes a rigorous “Case Maintenance Reference Guide” system. This means that Clerk staff perform a deep-dive audit of every petition against a multi-page checklist before the file is even permitted to reach a judge’s desk.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide the hyper-local authority needed to navigate these two courthouses. We understand that Pasco’s “split” system requires an attorney who knows which judge is sitting in which city on any given Tuesday. For a complete breakdown of Florida’s probate framework, visit our Complete Guide to Florida Probate. We offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested Pasco County cases, ensuring your family isn’t billed for the extra administrative time Pasco’s checklists require.

🏛️ Pasco County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate filings are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller across two main locations. Your case will be assigned based on the decedent’s last zip code.

• West Pasco Judicial Center (New Port Richey): 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654
• Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center (Dade City): 38053 Live Oak Avenue, Dade City, FL 33523
• Clerk of Court: Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Esq.
• Probate Department Phone: (727) 847-8199
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

[!IMPORTANT]

2026 Will Deposit Rule: The original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Pasco Clerk within 10 days of death notification. While there is no fee to deposit the Will for safekeeping, the 6th Circuit requires the original Will to be physically in the Clerk’s possession before any “Order Admitting Will” can be signed.

⚖️ 6th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Pasco County’s probate judges (Divisions J and L) are known for high standards regarding “predicate filings.”

• Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate matters are primarily heard by Judge Susan G. Barthle (Dade City) and Judge Kimberly Sharpe Byrd (New Port Richey).
• The “Audit” Process: Before a judge reviews your file, a Clerk “Case Maintenance” specialist verifies the petition against a strict checklist. If your petition is missing even a minor detail—like the decedent’s social security number or a specific statement regarding venue—the Clerk will issue a “Deficiency Memorandum.”
• Oath of Witness: If a Will is not “self-proving,” Pasco requires an Oath of Witness. In 2026, the Clerk charges $3.50 to administer this oath. We often handle this through a “Commission” to allow witnesses to sign remotely, saving you a trip to the courthouse.
• Proposed Orders: All proposed orders must be uploaded through the 6th Circuit’s JA Assistant or the Portal in Word format. Orders must include a specific “Service List” at the bottom with the email addresses of all interested parties.
• Zoom Hearings: Judge Barthle and Judge Byrd utilize Zoom for most motion calendars. Our firm coordinates these virtual links, allowing our clients to attend from Wesley Chapel or out-of-state without travel.

💰 2026 Pasco County Probate Filing Fees

Statutory filing fees for the 6th Judicial Circuit:

❓ Pasco County Probate FAQ

Will my case be in Dade City or New Port Richey?

Generally, if the decedent lived in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, or Dade City, the case goes to the East Pasco courthouse. If they lived in New Port Richey, Hudson, or Holiday, it goes to West Pasco. Our firm is experienced in both locations.

Does Pasco require a “Restricted Depository”?

Unlike some neighboring counties, Pasco judges typically do not mandate a restricted bank account for every case. However, they may require a bond for the Personal Representative if they live out of state or if the Will does not specifically waive the bond requirement.

What is your “Flat-Fee” model for Pasco?

Because Pasco’s Clerk-audit system can be time-consuming, many firms bill hourly for the back-and-forth. We don’t. We provide a flat-fee guarantee for the entire uncontested process, covering all filings and checklist management.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

The 6th Judicial Circuit in Pasco demands an attorney who is “check-list ready.”

• Audit Expertise: We prepare our petitions to meet the Clerk’s “Case Maintenance” standards the first time.
• Dual-Courthouse Knowledge: We manage filings for both Dade City and New Port Richey divisions.
• Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing ensures your family knows exactly what the legal costs are from day one.