Probate in Collier County: Where It’s Filed
Collier County (Naples) sits in Florida’s 20th Judicial Circuit. Probate is filed with the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. Cases are handled at the Collier County Courthouse at 3315 Tamiami Trail East in Naples (the Clerk’s probate department is in Suite 102). Attorneys e-file every document through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is why an out-of-state family can have a Collier County estate handled without anyone traveling to the courthouse.
The Collier Clerk posts its probate fee schedule online, charging $400 to open a formal administration, $345 for a summary administration over $1,000, and $235 under $1,000. We serve Collier County residents, including Naples, Marco Island, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Everglades City, Ave Maria, Naples Park, Vanderbilt Beach.
Which Kind of Probate You’ll Need
Most Collier County estates pass through one of three doors. The cheapest one may be open.
- Disposition without administration. Tiny estates with only exempt property and final-expense reimbursement; days to weeks.
- Summary administration. Estates of $150,000 or less (raised from $75,000 on July 1, 2026) after exempt property, or when the decedent died more than two years ago; often weeks.
- Formal administration. Everything else; a personal representative is appointed and the case runs about 6 to 12 months.
We confirm which applies at your consult and quote a flat fee. Estimate the cost and timeline first →
How Long, and What It Costs
Formal administration is paced by the 3-month creditor-claim window; clean distribution waits for it to pass. Florida law sets a presumed-reasonable attorney fee scaled to the estate, but it’s a ceiling, not a mandate. Our flat fees start at $1,500 (disposition), $2,500 (summary), and $3,500 (formal). Government costs, the Collier County filing fee (about $400), newspaper publication, and certified copies, are additional and passed through at cost. See the full Florida probate guide →
Out-of-State Personal Representatives
Under Florida law, you can serve as personal representative of a Collier County estate from another state if you’re related to the decedent by blood, adoption, or marriage; an out-of-state child qualifies. We represent personal representatives across Collier County remotely, by phone, video, and e-signature.
Suddenly responsible for a house or other real property here? Our Collier County property owner's guide maps every office that now matters to you, including the property appraiser, tax deadlines, code enforcement, and how to watch what the county is planning near the property.
Local Rules, Judges, and the Clerk’s Probate Office
Every circuit publishes administrative orders and local procedures that control how probate actually runs in Collier County, including which division gets the case, which checklists are required, and how proposed orders reach the judge. Collier probate has no court case management; filers work directly with the Collier Clerk. The Clerk publishes an estate bond schedule chart as an aid in setting personal representative bonds, from an $18,000 bond for estates of $75,000 or less to a $100,000 minimum above $500,000. The circuit’s administrative order index carries only a few older probate orders; day-to-day practice is governed by the checklists on the circuit’s probate page.
- Administrative orders of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit
- Twentieth Judicial Circuit judges directory
- The clerk’s probate office for Collier County
- Local probate forms and checklists
You do not have to learn any of this yourself. Part of what a flat fee covers is an attorney who already files under these rules, so nothing bounces back for a missing checklist.
Handling a Collier County (Naples) estate?
A free 30-minute consult tells you which kind of probate applies and what it will cost.
Book your free consultFrequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a probate lawyer in Collier County (Naples)?
Ask the same four questions everywhere in Florida. Is the fee flat or the statutory percentage, in writing? Does the lawyer litigate if a will contest or objection erupts mid-case? Can the whole case be handled remotely, since Florida probate e-files statewide? And does the estate, not you personally, pay the fee? We answer flat, yes, yes, and yes for Collier County families.
Where is probate filed in Collier County?
Probate is filed with the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, in the 20th Judicial Circuit, where the decedent was domiciled. Attorneys e-file through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, so you don't have to appear in person. We handle Collier County estates remotely.
How long will it take?
Formal administration in any Florida county usually runs 6 to 12 months because the 3-month creditor-claim window (§733.702) must pass. Summary administration is faster, often a few weeks to about two months.
Do I need a local attorney if I live out of state?
You need a Florida attorney for most formal administrations (Fla. Prob. R. 5.030), but you don't need to be local. We represent personal representatives across Collier County by phone, video, and e-signature.
Sources
- Fla. Stat. ch. 733 to 735 (administration); §733.304 (nonresident PR); §733.702 (creditor claims); Fla. Prob. R. 5.030 (attorney required). Filing via the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller (20th Judicial Circuit) and the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. (retrieved 2026-06-07)
Updated August 12, 2026. Reviewed by Kevin D. Klagge, Esq., Fla. Bar No. 99502. Attorney Kevin Klagge represents families, businesses, and international clients in estate and tax planning, business structuring, and international law, with a focus on Florida legal tools. He litigates estate and business issues in court. General information about Florida law, not legal advice. We serve Collier County residents remotely; this is not a Collier County (Naples) office.