Statewide Probate
Attorneys in Florida
Attorneys in Florida
Sumter County Probate Court Guide (2026)
Probate in Sumter County—serving Bushnell, Wildwood, Webster, and the significant population of The Villages—is governed by the 5th Judicial Circuit. Because Sumter County is home to one of the largest retiree populations in the country, its probate division is exceptionally active. In 2026, the court operates with a focus on “Differentiated Case Management,” meaning estates are triaged based on complexity to ensure that simple matters move to a final order without getting stuck behind litigated cases.
At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with a sophisticated level of local authority. Our founding partner, R. Nadine David, is a former Probate Court Staff Attorney for the Florida judiciary. In that role, she spent years as the “gatekeeper” for probate judges, personally auditing thousands of files to determine if they met the strict requirements for a judge’s signature. This internal insight, combined with our firm’s experience handling thousands of cases across every Florida county, allows us to navigate the Sumter County courthouse with unmatched precision.
🏛️ Sumter County Courthouse & Clerk Information
Probate filings and original records are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller at the Judicial Center in Bushnell.
- Courthouse Name: Sumter County Judicial Center
- Address: 225 East McCollum Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513
- Clerk of Court: Gloria R. Hayward
- Probate Department Phone: (352) 569-6600
- 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 Clerk in Bushnell within 10 days of receiving notice of death. The 5th Circuit is strict about “predicate filings”—the court will not review a petition for administration until the original Will and a certified death certificate are visible on the Clerk’s electronic docket.
⚖️ 5th Judicial Circuit (Sumter) Probate Procedures
Sumter County utilizes the 5th Circuit’s mandatory probate checklists to ensure procedural compliance.
- Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate and guardianship matters in Sumter County are primarily overseen by Judge Mary P. Hatcher. Judge Hatcher is known for her meticulous review of “Affidavits of Heirs” to ensure all potential beneficiaries are properly accounted for before assets are distributed.
- Proposed Orders: In 2026, all proposed orders must be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal in Microsoft Word format only. The court requires a specific certificate of service at the end of every order, listing the specific email or physical addresses of all interested parties.
- Virtual Hearings: While the Bushnell courthouse is the hub for local legal activity, Judge Hatcher conducts most routine status conferences and uncontested hearings via Zoom. This allows our firm to represent families from The Villages or out-of-state without requiring them to travel to the courthouse.
- The “Staff Attorney” Advantage: Because R. Nadine David worked as a staff attorney inside the Florida court system, we understand exactly what Judge Hatcher’s legal researchers are looking for. We draft our petitions to answer their questions before they even ask them, often cutting weeks off the standard probate timeline.
💰 2026 Sumter County Probate Filing Fees
Statutory filing fees for the 5th Judicial Circuit in Bushnell:
| 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 |
❓ Sumter County Probate FAQ
Is “Summary Administration” common for residents of The Villages?
Yes. Since many residents of The Villages utilize “Lady Bird Deeds” or joint ownership for their homes, the remaining probate assets are often below the $75,000 threshold, allowing the family to use the expedited Summary Administration track. We specialize in identifying these opportunities to save our clients time and money.
How does your statewide experience help in a local case?
Having handled thousands of cases all across Florida, we have seen every possible variation of probate. Whether it’s a missing heir, a complex creditor claim, or an out-of-state Personal Representative, we have a proven protocol ready to handle it in the Sumter County court.
What is your “Flat-Fee” model for Bushnell?
We believe in financial certainty. Because of our internal court insight and high volume of experience, we can work with extreme efficiency. We offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested probate matters, ensuring your legal costs are fixed and transparent from day one.
📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?
The Sumter County court system rewards attorneys who are prepared, technically accurate, and locally authoritative.
- Internal Court Insight: Founded by a former Probate Court Staff Attorney who knows the judicial review process from the inside.
- Massive Experience: Thousands of cases handled across all 67 Florida counties.
- The Villages Expertise: We understand the unique estate planning and probate needs of Florida’s largest retirement community.
- Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing protects the inheritance for your family.