Washington County Probate Court Guide (2026)

Probate in Washington County-serving Chipley, Vernon, Ebro, Wausau, and Caryville-is governed by the 14th Judicial Circuit. While Washington County maintains a smaller, tight-knit legal community, its probate court is highly disciplined and operates under the centralized administrative rules of the 14th Circuit. In 2026, the court utilizes a digital-first approach for case management, requiring all proposed orders and supporting documents to be indexed accurately before they reach the judge’s desk.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide families with an elite level of authority. 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 files, advising judges on which filings were legally sufficient to be signed. This “inside the court” perspective, combined with our experience handling thousands of cases across all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits, allows us to move files through the Chipley courthouse with exceptional speed.

🏛️ Washington County Courthouse & Clerk Information

Probate records and original Wills are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the historic courthouse in Chipley.

• Courthouse Name: Washington County Courthouse
• Address: 1293 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428
• Clerk of Court: Lary S. Walker
• Probate Department Phone: (850) 638-6285
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

[!IMPORTANT]

2026 Will Deposit Rule: Under Florida Statute 732.901, the original Will must be deposited with the Clerk in Chipley within 10 days of receiving notice of death. The 14th Circuit requires the original Will to be physically in the Clerk’s possession before they will forward any petition for judicial review.

⚖️ 14th Judicial Circuit (Washington) Probate Procedures

Washington County probate is managed with a focus on procedural readiness and verified heirship.

• Judicial Oversight: For 2026, probate and guardianship matters in Washington County are primarily overseen by Judge Christopher N. Patterson (Chief Judge) and Judge Jarred Patterson. They are known for their meticulous review of the “Affidavit of Heirs” to ensure no family member is overlooked in the distribution process.
• The “Staff Attorney” Edge: In the 14th Circuit, court staff attorneys are the primary “gatekeepers.” Because R. Nadine David was that gatekeeper for the judiciary, we draft our documents to satisfy the specific internal audit points that staff look for. This helps our clients avoid the “Deficiency Memorandums” that often stall cases for weeks.
• Proposed Orders: All orders must be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal in Microsoft Word format. Per Administrative Order 2025-00-06, orders must include a full certificate of service with specific email addresses, as the court generally rejects generic “cc: all parties” notation.
• Virtual Hearings: While the Chipley courthouse remains a local landmark, most routine probate status conferences are held via Zoom. Our firm manages these digital logistics, allowing families from Vernon or out-of-state to participate without driving to the courthouse.

💰 2026 Washington County Probate Filing Fees

Statutory filing fees for the 14th Judicial Circuit:

❓ Washington County Probate FAQ

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

Every circuit has its own procedural “personality.” Having handled thousands of cases in all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits, we have seen every possible variation of probate. We bring these “best practices” to Washington County, ensuring your case is handled with the professionalism of a statewide firm and the detail-oriented focus of a local practitioner.

Is “Summary Administration” right for family property in Vernon?

Yes. If the home is the decedent’s “protected homestead,” its value is typically excluded from the $75,000 asset limit. This allows many Washington County families to use the faster track to clear title to land or homes, even if the real estate market value is high, provided other assets remain low.

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

We do not believe in billable-hour surprises. Because our internal court insight allows us to move files efficiently through the 14th Circuit’s review process, we offer all-inclusive flat-fee pricing for all uncontested probate cases. You pay one set price for the entire process-from filing to the final order.

📍 Why Hire Florida Probate Law Group?

The Washington 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 track record in all 20 Florida Judicial Circuits.
• Efficiency and Speed: We leverage the 14th Circuit’s digital systems to move your case from filing to final order as fast as possible.
• Financial Certainty: Our flat-fee pricing ensures your family’s inheritance is protected.