Walton County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Walton County – serving DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar Beach, and Freeport – is governed by the 1st Judicial Circuit. Walton County is a unique jurisdiction divided between the historic north (DeFuniak Springs) and the rapidly developing south (Emerald Coast). In 2026, the court operates under a high-efficiency model that requires strict adherence to administrative directives regarding case assignments and the electronic submission of proposed orders.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with a rare “insider” advantage. 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 the legal sufficiency of filings. This “behind-the-bench” perspective, paired with our experience handling thousands of cases across all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits, allows us to navigate the Walton County courthouse with a level of authority that prevents the procedural “bottlenecks” common in coastal estates.

🏛️ Walton County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate matters are processed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. While there are two courthouse locations, the main probate records and original Will deposits are centralized in DeFuniak Springs.

• Main Courthouse: Walton County Courthouse
• Address: 571 East Nelson Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
• South Walton Annex: 31 Coastal Centre Blvd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (Note: Confirm with Clerk before depositing original Wills here).
• Clerk of Court: Alex Alford
• Probate Department Phone: (850) 892-8115
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

[!IMPORTANT]

2026 Will Deposit Rule: Under Florida Statute 732.901, the original Will must be deposited with the Walton County Clerk within 10 days of receiving notice of death. The 1st Circuit requires the physical Will to be indexed on the docket before the court will issue “Letters of Administration.”

⚖️ 1st Judicial Circuit (Walton) Probate Procedures

Walton County utilizes specific Administrative Directives (e.g., WCAD 2025-01) to manage its 2026 judicial assignments.

• Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate matters are divided between judges based on whether the case is contested or uncontested. Judge Jeffrey E. Lewis is typically assigned to contested probates and guardianships, while other circuit judges may handle uncontested administrations as part of their civil dockets.
• The “Staff Attorney” Advantage: In the 1st Circuit, staff attorneys act as the primary filter for judicial review. Because R. Nadine David served as a staff attorney inside the judiciary, our firm drafts every document to meet the specific internal “audit points” that court staff look for. This helps our clients avoid “Deficiency Memorandums” that can stall a Santa Rosa Beach property transfer for months.
• Proposed Orders: All orders must be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal in Microsoft Word format. Per 2026 local rules, orders must include a certificate of service that lists the email or physical addresses of all interested parties, as the court generally rejects orders with generic “cc: all counsel” notations.
• Virtual Hearings: While the DeFuniak Springs courthouse is the hub for local law, the 1st Circuit utilizes Zoom for most routine probate status conferences. This allows our firm to represent families from Miramar Beach or out-of-state without requiring a long drive to the north end of the county.

💰 2026 Walton County Probate Filing Fees

Statutory filing fees for the 1st Judicial Circuit:

❓ Walton County Probate FAQ

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

Walton County has unique real estate dynamics, particularly with coastal properties. Having handled thousands of cases in all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits, we have seen every possible title and creditor complication. We bring that statewide perspective to Walton County, ensuring your case is handled with both local respect and high-level legal authority.

Is “Summary Administration” right for property in Santa Rosa Beach?

Yes. If the property is the decedent’s “protected homestead,” its value is generally excluded from the $75,000 asset limit for Summary Administration. This allows many families to use the faster track to clear title to valuable Emerald Coast real estate, provided other assets are below the threshold.

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

We don’t believe in billable-hour surprises. Because our internal court insight allows us to move files efficiently through the 1st Circuit’s audit process, we offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested probate cases. You know your costs before we ever file a petition.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

The Walton County court system rewards attorneys who are prepared, technically accurate, 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.
• Stetson Law Honors: Our founding partners bring elite academic standards to every Walton County case.
• Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing ensures your family’s inheritance is protected.