Sarasota County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Sarasota County—serving Sarasota, Venice, North Port, and Longboat Key—is governed by the 12th Judicial Circuit. In 2026, the Sarasota court operates with a “Digital First” mandate. Following the rescission of older local rules by Administrative Order 2024-02.2, the 12th Circuit now utilizes a streamlined, centralized approach where almost all probate matters are processed electronically through the JACS (Judicial Automated Calendaring System) and the Florida Courts e-Filing Portal.

At Florida Probate Law Group, our authority in Sarasota is built on thousands of successful cases handled across all 67 Florida counties. More importantly, our strategy is informed by a rare “insider” perspective: our founding partner, R. Nadine David, served as a Probate Court Staff Attorney for the Florida judiciary. In that role, she personally managed thousands of cases from inside the court system, reviewing filings and advising judges on exactly which documents were legally sufficient to sign. This internal insight allows us to anticipate judicial requirements before they are even asked for.

🏛️ Sarasota County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate records and filings are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller.

• Sarasota Courthouse: 2000 Main Street, Room 102, Sarasota, FL 34237
• Venice Branch: 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293
• Clerk of Court: Karen E. Rushing
• Probate Department Phone: (941) 861-7400
• 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 Sarasota Clerk within 10 days of receiving notice of the death. Under 2026 protocols, the Clerk requires the Will to be physically present before any petitions can be advanced to the judge’s digital queue.

⚖️ 12th Judicial Circuit (Sarasota) Probate Procedures

Sarasota County probate is highly procedural, requiring specific digital “handshakes” between attorneys and judicial staff.

• Judicial Oversight: For 2026, all Sarasota County and South County (Venice) probate cases are assigned to Judge Charles E. Williams (Sarasota/Venice Probate & Guardianship Division). Judge Williams is known for strict adherence to the 12th Circuit’s Standards of Professionalism.
• Insider Precision: Because R. Nadine David previously worked as a staff attorney advising judges, our firm doesn’t guess what Judge Williams needs—we provide it proactively. We format every Petition and Proposed Order to meet the exact internal specifications that judicial assistants look for when “clearing” a file for a judge’s signature.
• JACS & Scheduling: All hearings 60 minutes or less in length must be scheduled using the JACS system. Per local rules, no case may occupy more than one hearing slot per business day, making efficient document preparation essential to avoid multiple court dates.
• Proposed Orders: These must be submitted via the Portal in Microsoft Word format. The court now requires a specific DIN (Docket Item Number) to be listed on every proposed order, referencing the exact motion or petition it addresses.
• Virtual Hearings: Judge Williams conducts most non-evidentiary hearings via Zoom. Our firm manages these digital appearances, ensuring that heirs in North Port or out-of-state can participate without traveling to Ringling Blvd.

💰 2026 Sarasota County Probate Filing Fees

Statutory filing fees for the 12th Judicial Circuit:

❓ Sarasota County Probate FAQ

How has your experience “inside the court” helped clients?

As a former staff attorney, R. Nadine David learned the “red flags” that cause judges to reject orders. By removing these issues before filing, we significantly reduce the time an estate stays open. We’ve applied this “judge’s-eye view” to thousands of cases across Florida.

Does Sarasota require a “Restricted Depository”?

Often, yes. If a Personal Representative lives out of state or if the bond is waived, Judge Williams may require that liquid assets be placed in a restricted bank account that requires a court order for any withdrawals. We facilitate this process to ensure the estate remains secure.

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

We believe families should benefit from our efficiency. Because we know exactly how to move a case through the 12th Circuit, we offer one all-inclusive flat fee for all uncontested probates. You pay for our expertise and results, not for hours spent on a learning curve.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

The Sarasota court system demands an attorney with both statewide experience and internal judicial insight.

• Judicial Insider Advantage: Founded by a former Probate Court Staff Attorney who has advised judges on thousands of cases.
• Statewide Authority: We have successfully managed thousands of probates across every Florida county.
• Stetson Law Honors: Our partners were trained in the rigorous legal environment of Stetson Law, ensuring elite-level representation.
• Financial Certainty: All-inclusive flat fees mean you know your costs before we ever file a document.