Seminole County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Seminole County—serving Sanford, Lake Mary, Oviedo, and Altamonte Springs—is governed by the 18th Judicial Circuit. In 2026, the court operates under a strict “Mandatory Checklist” policy. Every petition for Summary or Formal Administration must be accompanied by a completed judicial checklist that cross-references every required document to its specific docket index number. Without this checklist, the Clerk will not forward the file for judicial review.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with unparalleled insight into the 18th Circuit’s mechanics. Our founding partner, R. Nadine David, is a former Probate Court Staff Attorney who spent years inside the Florida judiciary reviewing filings and advising judges on estate law. This “behind-the-bench” perspective, combined with our experience handling thousands of cases across all 67 Florida counties, allows us to navigate Seminole County’s technical requirements with surgical precision.

🏛️ Seminole County Courthouse & Clerk Information

While many civil services are in downtown Sanford, probate services are primarily located at the Juvenile Justice Center for 2026.

• Courthouse Name: Juvenile Justice Center (Probate Division)
• Address: 190 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773
• Clerk of Court: Grant Maloy
• Probate Department Phone: (407) 665-4369
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

[!IMPORTANT]

2026 Will Deposit Rule: The original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the Clerk’s Probate Department at the Eslinger Way location within 10 days of receiving notice of death. The 18th Circuit requires the original Will to be physically in the Clerk’s possession before any orders admitting the Will or appointing a Personal Representative can be issued.

⚖️ 18th Judicial Circuit Probate Procedures

Seminole County is known for its rigorous adherence to local administrative orders regarding estate “readiness.”

• Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate and guardianship matters are primarily overseen by Judge John D. Galluzzo (Division P) and Judge William S. Orth (Division B).
• The “Insider” Advantage: Having served as a staff attorney, R. Nadine David knows exactly what the court’s legal researchers look for when auditing a file. We ensure every petition includes the “Affidavit of Heirs” and “Oath of Personal Representative” in the exact format required to pass judicial scrutiny on the first attempt.
• Mandatory Checklists: Per Administrative Order 2023-42-PRC (and its 2026 updates), we file signed checklists for all administrations. These checklists serve as a certification that we have verified all creditor notices and beneficiary joinders.
• Proposed Orders: All orders must be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal in Microsoft Word format. In Seminole County, orders must include the name and mailing address of every person who is to receive a copy, as the court generally does not use generic “cc: all parties” blocks.
• Virtual Hearings: Most routine or uncontested matters are handled “in chambers” (without a hearing). For matters requiring a brief appearance, Judge Galluzzo and Judge Orth utilize Microsoft Teams. Our firm handles all digital coordination for these appearances.

💰 2026 Seminole County Probate Filing Fees

Statutory filing fees for the 18th Judicial Circuit:

❓ Seminole County Probate FAQ

How does your “thousands of cases” experience help in Sanford?

Probate rules are uniform across Florida, but procedures vary by courthouse. Having handled thousands of cases statewide, we have seen every possible complication. In Seminole County, this means we can solve complex title issues or creditor disputes that might baffle less experienced firms.

What is “Summary Administration” in Seminole County?

This is a faster probate track available if the decedent has been deceased for more than two years OR if the total value of assets (excluding the protected home) is less than $75,000. Because many homes in Lake Mary and Oviedo are “protected homestead,” they often qualify for this expedited process.

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

We believe in transparency. Because our internal court insight allows us to work efficiently, we offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested cases. You get the benefit of a former court staff attorney’s expertise without the uncertainty of hourly billing.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

Seminole County demands an attorney who is both a procedural expert and a local authority.

• Internal Court Insight: Founded by a former Probate Court Staff Attorney who knows the system from the inside out.
• Statewide Authority: We have successfully managed thousands of probates across every Florida county.
• Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing protects your family’s inheritance from the rising costs of South Florida legal fees.