*** Service Charge for Will on Deposit Receipt ***

Beginning March 1, 2021, the Clerk’s office will require a $7.00 service charge for the issuance of a Will on Deposit receipt. If you do not require a receipt, there will be no charge and a receipt will not be generated.

The Probate Department is located in the St. Johns County Courthouse, 1st Floor.

Our office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. We can be contacted by telephone at (904) 819-3655.

Probate is a court-supervised process for identifying and gathering the decedent’s assets, paying taxes, claims, and expenses (if applicable), and distributing to beneficiaries.

With or without a will, the court oversees the decedent’s estate to ensure debts are paid and proper distribution is made. However, if there is not a will, the probate proceeding is referred to as intestate and assets are distributed according to law provisions.

Whether or not an estate is required to go through Probate depends on the way the decedent's assets are situated at the time of death. If the decedent's assets are in his or her name solely (i.e. bank accounts; real property, bonds, etc),  the estate would be subject to go through a Probate proceeding.   In this type of situation, interested parties would need to seek legal assistance as our office can not give legal or procedural advice. If assets are jointly held, in most circumstances probate would not be necessary.

Florida Law establishes two types of probate administration:

1. Formal Administration which is generally used when the estate value exceeds $75,000.00. Florida Law generally requires an attorney to administer Formal Administration.

   *** Florida Probate Rule 5.030 requires an attorney for many Probate cases. Unfortunately, the Clerk’s office cannot assist you with these probate matters and does not provide forms. ***
2. Summary Administration is generally used when the estate value is $75,000.00 or less.

DISPOSITION WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION

Florida Law also establishes a non-administration probate proceeding called "Disposition without administration.” This procedure may not be used when there are other assets in excess of the paid funeral bill and final medical expenses or if the decedent’s estate includes real property. The intent is to reimburse the person who has paid the funeral bill. Our office can assist heirs and beneficiaries through this process. The process is also sometimes referred to as a Small Estate Affidavit.

The required forms and documentation for a Disposition without administration are as follows:

1. Original Last Will and Testament of the decedent (if applicable).
2. Certificate of Death
3. Funeral bill showing paid in full and who paid.
4. Copy of bank statement, stock certificate or any related information regarding the assets that you are attempting to transfer with this procedure.

WHAT IS A WILL?

A will is a written direction controlling the disposition of property at death. A will usually designates a personal representative and names beneficiaries to receive probate assets.

The laws of each state set the formal requirements for a legal will. Pursuant to State Law 732.901, the original Last Will and Testament of the deceased person must be deposited with the clerk of courts within 10 days AFTER a person is dead. The statute also states the date of death or social security number must be supplied upon the deposit of the will. Our office prefers a death certificate to be filed with the original will.