Wakulla County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Wakulla County—serving Crawfordville, Sopchoppy, St. Marks, and Panacea—is governed by the 2nd Judicial Circuit. As a smaller county within the Tallahassee-focused 2nd Circuit, Wakulla offers a more accessible courthouse environment but still maintains the rigorous procedural standards of the Florida Probate Rules. In 2026, the court emphasizes the prompt filing of “predicate” documents, such as the original Will and certified death certificates, which must be physically deposited with the Clerk before any judicial action can occur.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we combine a deep understanding of Big Bend legal culture with high-level authority. Our founding partner, R. Nadine David, is a former Probate Court Staff Attorney for the Florida judiciary. In this role, she personally reviewed and managed thousands of probate cases, advising judges on the legal sufficiency of filings. This “inside the court” perspective, paired with our experience handling thousands of cases across all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits, ensures your Wakulla County estate is handled with expert precision.

🏛️ Wakulla County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate records and the deposit of original Wills are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller at the courthouse in Crawfordville.

• Courthouse Name: Wakulla County Courthouse
• Address: 3056 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327
• Clerk of Court: Greg James
• Probate Department Phone: (850) 926-0905
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

[!IMPORTANT]

2026 Will Deposit Rule: Pursuant to Florida Statute 732.901, the custodian of an original Will must deposit it with Greg James’ office in Crawfordville within 10 days of receiving notice of death. The Clerk requires the decedent’s date of death and Social Security number at the time of deposit to officially initiate the file.

⚖️ 2nd Judicial Circuit (Wakulla) Probate Procedures

Wakulla County operates under the centralized administrative rules of the 2nd Circuit, which requires all petitions to be “clerk-ready” upon filing.

• Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate and guardianship matters in Wakulla County are primarily overseen by Judge J. Layne Smith and Judge Brian Miller. Judge Smith is known for his strict adherence to procedural timelines and requires a verified Affidavit of Heirs in every case to ensure all beneficiaries are accounted for.
• The “Staff Attorney” Edge: In the 2nd Circuit, court staff attorneys act as the primary filter for the judges. Because R. Nadine David served as a staff attorney inside the judiciary, we know exactly what these legal researchers look for when auditing a file. We ensure every document meets the 2026 technical specifications to avoid the “Deficiency Notices” that often stall cases for weeks.
• Proposed Orders: All proposed orders must be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal in Microsoft Word format. In Wakulla, orders must include a full certificate of service with the email or mailing addresses of all interested parties, as the court does not utilize generic “cc: all parties” blocks.
• Virtual Hearings: While the Crawfordville courthouse is easily accessible to locals, Judge Smith and Judge Miller conduct most routine probate status conferences via Zoom. Our firm manages these virtual logistics, allowing families from Shell Point or out-of-state to attend without driving to the courthouse.

💰 2026 Wakulla County Probate Filing Fees

Statutory filing fees for the 2nd Judicial Circuit:

❓ Wakulla County Probate FAQ

How does your experience across “all circuits” help in Wakulla?

Every circuit has a slightly different way of processing paperwork. Having managed thousands of cases in all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits, we have seen every procedural variation. We bring those “best practices” to Wakulla County, ensuring your case is handled with the efficiency of a statewide firm and the detail-oriented focus of a local practitioner.

Is “Summary Administration” common in Crawfordville?

Yes. Since many families in Wakulla County own their homes as “protected homestead,” that property value is usually excluded from the $75,000 asset limit. This allows many families to use the faster Summary Administration process for bank accounts or smaller assets, even if the family home is worth much more.

What is your “Flat-Fee” model for Wakulla County?

We don’t believe you should be penalized with hourly bills for the court’s administrative requirements. Because our internal court insight allows us to work with high efficiency, we offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested probate cases. You get total financial certainty from the very first phone call.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

The Wakulla County court system rewards attorneys who are prepared, technically accurate, and authoritative.

• Judicial Insider Insight: Founded by a former Probate Court Staff Attorney who knows exactly how judges and their staff review probate files.
• Statewide Authority: Proven track record in all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits.
• Stetson Law Honors: Our founding partners were trained at the top-ranked Stetson University College of Law, bringing elite academic standards to every case.
• Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing protects your family’s inheritance from billable-hour surprises.