Probate in Highlands County: Where It’s Filed
Sebring is in Highlands County, which sits in Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit. Probate is filed with the Highlands County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. Cases are handled at the Highlands County Courthouse at 430 South Commerce Avenue in Sebring. Attorneys e-file every document through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is why an out-of-state family can have a Highlands County estate handled without anyone traveling to the courthouse.
We serve Sebring and Highlands County residents, including Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, Sun ’n Lake, Spring Lake.
Which Kind of Probate You’ll Need
Most Highlands 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 Highlands 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 Highlands 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 Sebring and Highlands 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 Highlands County, including which division gets the case, which checklists are required, and how proposed orders reach the judge. Highlands guardianships carry an audit burden the rest of the circuit does not. The annual accounting must arrive with a year-end statement for every bank and investment account, and on request every canceled check, receipt, and deposit record, with incomplete documentation grounds for disapproving the accounting. The courthouse and the Clerk’s mailing address are also two different places, 430 South Commerce Avenue for the building and 590 South Commerce Avenue for mail. The circuit will generally not sign an order determining homestead until the creditor claim period has run, so a homestead determination cannot be fast-tracked as a matter of course; getting one early takes a motion showing good cause and a hearing.
- Administrative orders of the Tenth Judicial Circuit
- Tenth Judicial Circuit judges directory
- The clerk’s probate office for Highlands County
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 Sebring 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 Sebring?
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 Sebring and Highlands County families.
Where is probate filed in Highlands County?
Probate is filed with the Highlands County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, in the 10th 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 Highlands 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 Sebring and Highlands 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 Highlands County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller (10th 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 Sebring and Highlands County residents from Miami; this is not a Sebring office.