Probate in Alachua County: Where It’s Filed
Gainesville is in Alachua County, which sits in Florida’s 8th Judicial Circuit. Probate is filed with the Alachua County Clerk of the Court, in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. Cases are handled at the Family and Civil Justice Center at 201 East University Avenue in Gainesville. Attorneys e-file every document through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is why an out-of-state family can have a Alachua County estate handled without anyone traveling to the courthouse.
In Alachua County, probate is handled at the Family and Civil Justice Center, separate from the criminal courthouse. We serve Gainesville and Alachua County residents, including Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry, High Springs, Archer, Hawthorne.
Which Kind of Probate You’ll Need
Most Alachua 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 Alachua 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 Alachua 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 Gainesville and Alachua County by phone, video, and e-signature.
Local Rules, Judges, and the Clerk’s Probate Office
Every circuit publishes administrative orders and local procedures that control how probate actually runs in Alachua County, including which division gets the case, which checklists are required, and how proposed orders reach the judge. The court will not enter an order determining homestead until the creditor publication period and the known creditor claim period have both expired, unless you move for it on good cause and set a hearing. Filing is also not presenting. The court is not notified of new filings, so the parties have to place the matter before the court by email, and nothing is entered until the clerk has docketed and imaged everything, which the court warns can take 7 to 10 days. The circuit numbers its orders in series, and Series 7 is the probate and guardianship series. The order that changes timelines most often is 7.14, which blocks an order determining homestead until the creditor periods have run.
- Administrative orders of the Eighth Judicial Circuit
- Eighth Judicial Circuit judges directory
- The clerk’s probate office for Alachua 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville?
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 without you coming to Florida, since Florida probate e-files statewide? And does the estate, not you personally, pay the fee? We answer flat, yes, yes, and yes for Gainesville and Alachua County families.
Where is probate filed in Alachua County?
Probate is filed with the Alachua County Clerk of the Court, in the 8th 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 Alachua County estates wherever you are.
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 Gainesville and Alachua 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 Alachua County Clerk of the Court (8th 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 Gainesville and Alachua County residents from Miami; this is not a Gainesville office.