Statewide Probate
Attorneys in Florida
Attorneys in Florida
Volusia County Probate Court Guide (2026)
Probate in Volusia County—serving Daytona Beach, DeLand, Deltona, and New Smyrna Beach—is governed by the 7th Judicial Circuit. Volusia is unique because it operates across multiple courthouses (East vs. West County), and your case assignment typically depends on where the decedent resided. In 2026, the court has prioritized digital efficiency, requiring all proposed orders to be submitted via specific divisional email portals in Microsoft Word format.
At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide a level of expertise that bridges the gap between the law and the bench. Our founding partner, R. Nadine David, is a former Probate Court Staff Attorney for the Florida judiciary. In that role, she personally reviewed and managed thousands of probate cases, advising judges on exactly which filings met the legal criteria for approval. This “inside the court” perspective, paired with our experience handling thousands of cases across all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits, ensures your Volusia County filing is handled with authoritative precision.
Read our Complete Guide to Florida Probate to learn all about how probate works in Florida.
🏛️ Volusia County Courthouse & Clerk Information
Probate records and the deposit of original Wills are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, led by Laura E. Roth. There are two primary locations for probate matters:
- DeLand (West County): Volusia County Courthouse, 101 N. Alabama Ave., DeLand, FL 32724
- Daytona Beach (East County): S. James Foxman Justice Center, 251 N. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32114
- Clerk of Court: Laura E. Roth
- Probate Department Phone: (386) 736-5912 (DeLand) | (386) 257-6035 (Daytona)
- 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 in either DeLand or Daytona Beach within 10 days of receiving notice of death. Volusia County judges will not sign an order “admitting” a Will until the physical document is verified on the Clerk’s digital docket.
⚖️ 7th Judicial Circuit (Volusia) Probate Procedures
The 7th Circuit utilizes standardized probate checklists that serve as the “road map” for every case.
- Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate cases are assigned to divisions based on geographic area. Judges include Judge Leah R. Case (Chief Judge) and Judge Elizabeth A. Blackburn. Per Administrative Order G-2026-029-SC, county judges are also cross-assigned as acting circuit judges to assist with the probate docket.
- The “Staff Attorney” Advantage: In the 7th Circuit, staff attorneys audit every file before it reaches the judge. Because R. Nadine David served in this specific role for the judiciary, our firm drafts every document to satisfy the internal “gatekeeping” checklists they use. This helps our clients avoid the “Deficiency Notices” that often delay cases for months.
- Proposed Orders: These must be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal in Microsoft Word format. Volusia County judges require specific certificates of service that list the email addresses of every beneficiary to ensure proper digital notification.
- Virtual Hearings: While Volusia has beautiful courthouses, most routine probate matters are handled via Zoom. Our firm manages these virtual appearances, allowing families from New Smyrna Beach or out-of-state to participate without traveling to DeLand.
Historic Volusia County Courthouse
The Historic Volusia County Courthouse serves as the architectural heart of DeLand and a monument to the county’s judicial history. Featuring grand columns and a stunning rotunda, this Classical Revival masterpiece was restored to its original 1929 splendor to ensure it remains a functional and inspiring setting for legal proceedings. It stands as a testament to the stability and heritage of the Volusia County legal community.
💰 2026 Volusia County Probate Filing Fees
Statutory filing fees for the 7th 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 |
| Disposition of Personal Property | $231.00 |
❓ Volusia County Probate FAQ
How does your experience across “all circuits” help my local case?
Every circuit in Florida has its own local rules and judicial “preferences.” Having handled thousands of cases in all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits, we have seen every possible variation of probate. We bring the best practices from across the state to ensure your Volusia County case is handled as efficiently as possible.
Is “Summary Administration” common for Volusia residents?
Yes. If the decedent’s assets (excluding their primary home) are under $75,000, or if they have been deceased for more than two years, the estate often qualifies for this faster track. We specialize in identifying these cases to save families time and legal costs.
What is your “Flat-Fee” model for Volusia County?
We believe in financial transparency. Because of our internal court insight and statewide experience, we work with extreme efficiency. We offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested probate matters, ensuring your legal costs are fixed from day one.
📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?
The Volusia County court system rewards attorneys who are technically precise and locally authoritative.
- Judicial Insider Insight: Founded by a former Probate Court Staff Attorney who knows exactly how judges review files.
- Statewide Authority: Proven experience in all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits.
- Geographic Flexibility: We handle cases in both the DeLand and Daytona Beach divisions.
- Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing protects the inheritance for your family.
“Peace” in DeLand, FL
At Florida Probate Law Group, our goal is to bring peace of mind to families in trying times. We are therefore big fans of the famous “Peace” sculpture in DeLand. Located at the north entrance of Chess Park on West Indiana Avenue, the bronze sculpture is one of the most beloved fixtures of downtown DeLand’s public art collection. Created by Ormond Beach artist Joan Baliker, the piece was originally part of the 2010 DeLand Sculpture Walk before being permanently acquired for the city in 2014 through a community fundraising effort led by local art benefactors.
The sculpture reflects Baliker’s “Kindred Spirits” series, which explores universal spiritual themes and the search for inner tranquility. As an interfaith minister, Baliker designed the work to serve as a visual reminder that global harmony begins with the individual; she often describes peace as a ripple effect that starts within oneself and expands outward to the family, the neighborhood, and eventually the world.
With its contemplative presence in the heart of the historic district, “Peace” stands as a quiet monument to DeLand’s commitment to culture, community reflection, and the arts. DeLand is one of our favorite cities in Florida!