St. Johns County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in St. Johns County—serving St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, and Hastings—is governed by the 7th Judicial Circuit. St. Johns is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, and its probate division reflects this with a high-efficiency, “Unified Family Court” approach. In 2026, the court utilizes mandatory checklists and specific administrative cross-assignments that allow judges to move through estate dockets without the delays common in larger metropolitan circuits.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we combine local authority with rare “behind-the-bench” insight. Our founding partner, R. Nadine David, is a former Probate Court Staff Attorney for the Florida judiciary. In that role, she personally reviewed thousands of petitions and advised judges on the legal sufficiency of probate filings. This internal court insight, paired with our experience handling thousands of cases across all 67 Florida counties, ensures that your St. Johns County filing meets the court’s exact 2026 standards on the first attempt.

🏛️ St. Johns County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate records and filings are managed at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center in St. Augustine.

• Courthouse Name: Richard O. Watson Judicial Center
• Address: 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
• Clerk of Court: Brandon J. Patty
• Probate Department Phone: (904) 819-3655
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

[!IMPORTANT]

2026 Will Deposit Rule: The original Last Will and Testament must be deposited with the St. Johns Clerk in St. Augustine within 10 days of receiving notice of death. In 2026, the Clerk requires the original Will to be physically in the file before the court will issue an “Order Admitting Will” or “Letters of Administration.”

⚖️ 7th Judicial Circuit (St. Johns) Probate Procedures

The 7th Circuit emphasizes “Readiness” through the use of specific 2026 administrative orders.

• Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate and guardianship matters are primarily assigned to Judge Howard O. McGillin, Jr. (Division 46). Additionally, per Administrative Order G-2026-029-SC, county judges like Judge Alexander R. Christine, Jr. and Judge Casey L. Woolsey are cross-assigned as acting circuit judges to assist with probate dockets as needed.
• Mandatory Checklists: St. Johns requires attorneys to file a signed Probate Checklist for both Summary and Formal Administrations. These checklists must certify that all heirs have been notified and that the “Affidavit of Heirs” matches the family tree exactly.
• Proposed Orders: All proposed orders must be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal in Microsoft Word format. Per Judge McGillin’s 2026 procedures, all orders must include the Docket Item Number (DIN) of the motion or petition they address to ensure they are routed correctly by judicial staff.
• Virtual Hearings: While the Lewis Speedway courthouse is a stunning example of St. Augustine architecture, most routine probate hearings are held via Zoom. Our firm manages these virtual logistics, allowing families in Ponte Vedra or out of state to settle estates without traveling.

💰 2026 St. Johns County Probate Filing Fees

Statutory filing fees for the 7th Judicial Circuit in St. Augustine:

❓ St. Johns County Probate FAQ

How does R. Nadine David’s “Staff Attorney” background help?

Having worked inside the court, R. Nadine David knows the exact “audit points” that judicial assistants use to screen files. In a busy court like St. Johns, a single missing word in an oath can cause a 30-day delay. We avoid these pitfalls by applying the judge’s own internal criteria to every document we draft.

Can I handle a St. Johns probate if I live in another state?

Yes. Since 2026, the St. Johns court has been fully digital. Between electronic filing with Brandon Patty’s office and virtual hearings with Judge McGillin, we can represent Personal Representatives from across the country. You only need to be a close blood relative to qualify as a Personal Representative under Florida law.

What is your “Flat-Fee” model for St. Augustine?

We offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested probate cases. Because we have handled thousands of cases statewide, we have refined our process to be highly efficient. You get the benefit of our internal court insight and massive experience for a single, transparent price.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

St. Johns County demands an attorney with both high-level statewide experience and local procedural precision.

• Judicial Insider Insight: Founded by a former Probate Court Staff Attorney who knows exactly how judges review files.
• Proven Track Record: Thousands of cases handled across all 67 Florida counties.
• Stetson Law Honors: Our founding partners were trained at Stetson University College of Law, bringing elite academic standards to every case.
• Financial Certainty: Flat-fee pricing means your family’s inheritance is protected from billable-hour surprises.