Probate in Jackson County: Where It’s Filed
Marianna is in Jackson County, which sits in Florida’s 14th Judicial Circuit. Probate is filed with the Jackson County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. Cases are handled at the Jackson County Courthouse at 4445 Lafayette Street in Marianna, where the Clerk’s counter is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time. The Probate Division has one circuit judge, who also carries the whole of Calhoun County’s circuit docket and all of Jackson County civil. Attorneys e-file every document through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is why an out-of-state family can have a Jackson County estate handled without anyone traveling to the courthouse.
Jackson County probate is heard by a judge who also carries Calhoun County, and every notice of hearing in his cases must state the time in Central time and nothing else. Mail to the Clerk goes to P.O. Drawer 510 in the 32447 ZIP code, not to the courthouse street address in 32446. We serve Marianna and Jackson County residents, including Marianna, Graceville, Sneads, Cottondale, Grand Ridge, Malone, Alford, Campbellton.
Which Kind of Probate You’ll Need
Most Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Marianna and Jackson 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 Jackson County, including which division gets the case, which checklists are required, and how proposed orders reach the judge. Jackson County probate is heard by one circuit judge who also carries the whole of Calhoun County, and his published procedures decide more here than any order does. Every notice of hearing has to reference Central Time and nothing else, no hearing may be set more than four months out from the day it is requested, and a person appearing by telephone rather than by video needs a Notary Public physically present to identify them and administer the oath. Hearing time is requested by email to the judicial assistant, with the county and the clerk’s case number in the subject line, because the judge sits in two counties. Mail to the Clerk goes to P.O. Drawer 510 in the 32447 ZIP code, not to the courthouse street address in 32446. The circuit has no probate-specific administrative order. Probate practice is set instead by the judge assignment plan and by the circuit’s own attorney-certified probate checklists, and every proposed order must be e-filed as a PDF cover letter plus a Word order in the circuit’s placeholder-code format.
- Administrative orders of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
- Fourteenth Judicial Circuit judges directory
- The clerk’s probate office for Jackson 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.
Rather handle the filing yourself? Our Jackson County Probate Court filing guide is the procedural version of this page, with the courthouse address, where the original will goes, which forms the county wants, the posted filing fee, and an eleven-step checklist for opening the estate.
Handling a Marianna 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 Marianna?
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 Marianna and Jackson County families.
Where is probate filed in Jackson County?
Probate is filed with the Jackson County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, in the 14th 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 Jackson 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 Marianna and Jackson 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 Jackson County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller (14th 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 Marianna and Jackson County residents from Miami; this is not a Marianna office.