Probate in Bay County: Where It’s Filed
Panama City is in Bay County, which sits in Florida’s 14th Judicial Circuit. Probate is filed with the Bay County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. Cases are handled at the Bay County Courthouse at 300 East 4th Street in Panama City. Attorneys e-file every document through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is why an out-of-state family can have a Bay County estate handled without anyone traveling to the courthouse.
We serve Panama City and Bay County residents, including Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, Callaway, Parker, Springfield.
Which Kind of Probate You’ll Need
Most Bay 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 Bay 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 Bay 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 Panama City and Bay 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 Bay County, including which division gets the case, which checklists are required, and how proposed orders reach the judge. One circuit judge carries all of Bay County probate, guardianship, and mental health, so a Bay estate is filed to a standing assignment rather than drawn among divisions, and the court will not process a proposed order without the matching checklist, each of which ends with the filing attorney certifying that he or she personally reviewed it. Bay County also runs on Central time, an hour behind Miami, which matters for every hearing and every clerk call. 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 Bay 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 Panama City 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 Panama City?
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 Panama City and Bay County families.
Where is probate filed in Bay County?
Probate is filed with the Bay 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 Bay 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 Panama City and Bay 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 Bay 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 Panama City and Bay County residents from Miami; this is not a Panama City office.