A Florida probate case is filed in the county where the person who died was domiciled, not where the heirs live. For someone who lived outside Florida, it is filed in a county where they owned property (§ 733.101). Most filings are made electronically through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, so the family usually does not need to live near the courthouse.
Kracht Law Firm, P.A. has one office, in Winter Park (Orange County). It does not have offices in the other counties listed on this page.
Which county’s court handles the estate
Under § 733.101, the case belongs:
- In the Florida county where the decedent was domiciled (their permanent home).
- If the decedent was not domiciled in Florida, in any county where their property is located. That is usually where a nonresident’s Florida real estate is, and the case is often an ancillary administration (§ 734.102).
- If there was no domicile or property in Florida, in a county where a debtor of the decedent lives.
A case filed in the wrong county can be transferred, but it costs time. Confirm domicile first. Where the decedent voted, held a driver’s license, and claimed a homestead exemption are common indicators.
Central Florida counties
| County | Judicial circuit (§ 26.021) | Clerk of the circuit court |
|---|---|---|
| Orange (including Orlando and Winter Park) | Ninth | Orange County Clerk |
| Osceola | Ninth | Osceola County Clerk |
| Seminole | Eighteenth | Seminole County Clerk |
| Lake | Fifth | Lake County Clerk |
| Volusia | Seventh | Volusia County Clerk |
The clerk’s office is where the original will is deposited, where probate records are kept, and where certified copies of letters and orders are obtained. Each circuit can also issue its own administrative orders on probate practice, so local requirements can differ from county to county.
Families who live elsewhere
Family members who live in other states can usually handle a Florida estate without traveling often. A nonresident can serve as personal representative only if closely related to the decedent (§ 733.304; see who qualifies), and most steps can be completed by mail, electronic filing, and video. Florida real estate owned by someone who lived in another state usually needs a Florida proceeding even if an estate is open in the home state.
Contact the Winter Park office
Call (407) 966-4554
Office 831 West Morse Boulevard
Winter Park, FL 32789
Open in Google Maps
Hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Related guidance
- Can an out-of-state person serve as personal representative?
- Florida ancillary probate
- What documents does a probate attorney need?
- Formal administration
Sources: Florida Statutes § 26.021, § 733.101, § 733.304, and § 734.102 (2026). Clerk and e-filing websites confirmed reachable on October 23, 2026.