Statewide Probate
Attorneys in Florida
Attorneys in Florida
Pasco County Probate Court Guide (2026): 6th Circuit Dual Courthouse Procedures & Filing Fees
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:
| 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 |
❓ 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.
Recovering a New Port Richey Bank Account From Missouri: A Pasco County Probate Case Study
Florida Probate Law Group has helped thousands of families through the probate process on an affordable flat-fee basis. Backed by our extensive track record and hundreds of 5-star Google reviews, our dedicated legal team works efficiently to secure assets and relieve the stress of estate administration. We understand that handling the legal details of a loved one’s passing can be overwhelming, which is why we handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters most.
Administration Profile
| Case Element | Description |
| Venue | Circuit Court for Pasco County, Florida – Probate Division |
| County | Pasco County |
| Administration Type | Summary Administration (Intestate) |
| Core Issues | Out-of-state petitioner, intestate estate (no will), recovery of a single liquid bank account, and navigating barred creditor claims due to the passage of time. |
| Service Model | 100% Remote Representation on a Flat-Fee Basis |
Local Judicial Nuances in Pasco County
Probate administration in Pasco County (part of the 6th Judicial Circuit) requires strict adherence to local administrative rules and digital filing standards. The Pasco County Clerk of Court mandates that all pleadings be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal with precise electronic formatting.
Furthermore, Pasco County judges utilize specific local checklists and proposed order standards for Summary Administration. Any discrepancies in the petition-such as unverified creditor statuses or incomplete asset descriptions-can result in the court rejecting the submission and delaying distribution. Florida Probate Law Group maintains a deep familiarity with the 6th Judicial Circuit’s technical preferences, ensuring that petitions are formatted correctly the first time to secure swift electronic signatures from presiding circuit judges.
Step-by-Step Chronological Sequence of Legal Execution
The resolution of this estate followed a clear, streamlined statutory path under Florida law:
- Step 1: Out-of-State Client Engagement – The decedent’s adult child, living out of state, retained our firm to secure a liquid bank account left behind by the deceased parent.
- Step 2: Fact-Finding & Asset Verification – Our legal team verified that the decedent passed away intestate (without a will) while residing in New Port Richey, Florida, and that more than two years had elapsed since the date of death.
- Step 3: Drafting the Petition for Summary Administration – In early 2026, we drafted a customized Petition for Summary Administration reflecting that the single liquid account sat well below the statutory $150,000 threshold and that all creditor claims were legally barred by the two-year non-claim statute.
- Step 4: Formal E-Filing – The petition was e-filed through the state portal on April 2, 2026.
- Step 5: Judicial Review & Order Issuance – Upon reviewing our legally sound pleadings, Circuit Judge Lauren Laughlin signed the electronic Order of Summary Administration on April 22, 2026-less than three weeks after filing.
- Step 6: Asset Collection – The final order authorized the out-of-state beneficiary to immediately claim 100% of the funds from the financial institution without further court supervision.
Educational Deep Dive: Summary Administration & The Two-Year Creditor Bar
In Florida probate, Summary Administration is a shortened form of estate management that avoids the lengthy timelines of Formal Administration. An estate generally qualifies for Summary Administration under two conditions:
- The total value of non-exempt estate assets in Florida does not exceed $150,000, OR
- The decedent has been dead for more than two years.
This case met both criteria. The liquid account held approximately $62,000, and the decedent had been deceased for over two years prior to filing the petition.
The two-year mark is highly significant under Florida Statute § 733.710. This statute establishes an absolute two-year non-claim period from the date of a decedent’s death. Once two years have passed, any and all outstanding claims by unsecured creditors are completely barred by law-even if the creditor never received formal notice. By waiting until this two-year window closed, our client was able to bypass the traditional three-month creditor publication period, allowing the estate to be opened and fully closed in a matter of weeks with zero risk of creditor interference.
100% Remote Probate
Losing a loved one is challenging enough without the added burden of travel. For this case, our client lived thousands of miles away in Missouri, yet never had to step foot in a Pasco County courtroom or visit our offices.
Through our innovative, tech-forward service model, every step of the process was managed completely online. From secure digital document signing to virtual consultations and electronic court filings, we handled everything seamlessly from afar. To learn more about how our firm handles long-distance estate administration, read The Complete Guide to Florida Probate.
Why Customers Hire Florida Probate Law Group
Families across the state and country choose Florida Probate Law Group because we combine insider judicial experience with a transparent, stress-free pricing model.
- Insider Judicial Knowledge: Founding partner R. Nadine David served as a Probate Court Staff Attorney, giving our firm unique insight into how judges review filings and what is required to move cases through the system without administrative delays.
- Complex Dispute Resolution: Founding partner Charles “Cary” David brings extensive experience in handling complex estate dispute resolution, ensuring that if unexpected litigation or disputes arise, your interests are protected.
- Affordable Flat Fees: We believe in upfront honesty. We handle probate administrations on a clear flat-fee basis, ensuring you never face unexpected hourly bills or hidden legal charges.
Connect with an Experienced Florida Probate Lawyer
If you need help wrapping up the estate of a loved one who lived in Pasco County or anywhere else in Florida, we are ready to assist. Contact Florida Probate Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Call Us Today: (352) 354-2654
Disclaimer: To protect client confidentiality and comply with privacy protocols, all personal data, specific names, precise financial balances, and exact addresses in this case study have been anonymized. The details presented above represent a generalized summary of real legal proceedings managed by our firm.