Pinellas County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Pinellas County—serving St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, and Palm Harbor—is governed by the 6th Judicial Circuit. Pinellas is home to one of the busiest probate dockets in the state, often processing nearly a thousand new cases every month. To manage this volume, the court relies on a highly efficient review process where deputy clerks audit every filing against a rigorous checklist before it ever reaches a judge’s desk.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we have deep roots in the local legal community. Our founding partners, R. Nadine David and Charles “Cary” David, both attended Stetson University College of Law right here in Pinellas County (Gulfport), where they graduated with honors. This local foundation gives our firm a unique advantage in navigating the specific preferences of the Pinellas bench. We offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested cases, ensuring your family has financial certainty in a fast-moving court system.

🏛️ Pinellas County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate matters are divided between the Clearwater and St. Petersburg courthouses. Your case assignment generally depends on where the decedent resided.

Clearwater Courthouse: 315 Court Street, Room 106, Clearwater, FL 33756
St. Petersburg Courthouse: 545 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Clerk of Court: Ken Burke, CPA
Probate Department Phone: (727) 464-3321
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

[!IMPORTANT]
2026 Will Deposit Rule: Florida law requires the custodian of an original Will to deposit it with the Clerk in Pinellas County within 10 days of learning of the death. You must provide the decedent’s date of death or the last four digits of their Social Security number at the time of deposit.

⚖️ 6th Judicial Circuit (Pinellas) Probate Procedures

The Pinellas probate division is known for its “checklist-first” mandate.

Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate matters are primarily handled by Judge Pamela A.M. Campbell and Judge Sherwood Coleman.
The Clerk Audit: Once we e-file a petition, the probate clerk’s office performs a line-by-line review. If any statutory requirement is missing—such as a specific statement about the decedent’s domicile—the clerk will issue a deficiency notice. Our firm’s experience allows us to bypass these delays by filing “clerk-ready” petitions from day one.
Proposed Orders: In 2026, all proposed orders must be submitted via the 6th Circuit’s JA Assistant portal in Microsoft Word format. They must include a “Certificate of Service” that lists the names and email addresses of all beneficiaries and interested parties.
Virtual Hearings: Routine or uncontested motions are typically handled “in chambers” (without a hearing) or via Zoom. Judge Campbell and Judge Coleman utilize virtual courtrooms for most status conferences, allowing our clients to participate from anywhere in the world.

💰 2026 Pinellas 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
Notice of Trust / Caveat	$41.00
Oath of Witness (Administered by Clerk)	$3.50

❓ Pinellas County Probate FAQ

How do I know if my case is in Clearwater or St. Pete?

The Clerk assigns cases based on the decedent’s zip code. Generally, North County cases (Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor) go to the Clearwater Judicial Center, while South County cases (St. Pete, Gulfport, Pinellas Park) go to the St. Petersburg branch.

What is a “Self-Proving” Will in Pinellas?

If a Will was signed with the specific Florida notary block and two witnesses, it is “self-proving.” If not, Pinellas judges require an Oath of Witness to be taken before the Clerk or a Commissioner. We coordinate these oaths to ensure the Will is admitted without a court appearance.

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

Because Pinellas is so busy, some firms charge extra for the time spent following up with judicial assistants. At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide one flat fee that covers the entire uncontested process—from the initial filing with Ken Burke’s office to the final distribution of assets.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

Pinellas County demands an attorney who can keep pace with its high-speed docket.

Stetson Law Alumni: Our founders were trained in Gulfport, giving us a “home court” understanding of Pinellas procedures.
Clerk-Level Accuracy: We prepare our documents to pass the 6th Circuit’s audit on the first attempt.
Digital Proficiency: We are experts in the 6th Circuit’s JA Assistant portal and Zoom protocols.

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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