Duval County, Florida Probate
Cost Calculator

Florida's probate code governs all estate proceedings in Duval County, where the Duval County Circuit Court in Jacksonville handles filings for the jurisdiction's 995,567 residents. As among the top ten most populated jurisdictions in Florida, the court applies the state's statutory percentage schedule within a local context worth understanding before filing.

With 995,567 residents, Duval County ranks 6th in Florida by population — firmly in the metropolitan tier. The Duval County Circuit Court in Jacksonville manages a significant probate caseload, with standardized procedures and dedicated staff that help cases move through the system efficiently.

However, the high volume means longer wait times for hearing dates compared to the state's less busy jurisdictions, and the court may apply closer scrutiny to fee petitions and accountings.

Florida's probate system in Duval County — ranked 6th of the state's 67 counties — operates through the Duval County Circuit Court in Jacksonville. Florida Statutes Chapter 733 governs the administration process, with separate statutory fee schedules for personal representatives (Fla.

Stat. § 733.617) and attorneys (Fla.

Stat. § 733.6171).

Florida distinguishes between formal administration and summary administration: summary administration is available for estates valued under $75,000 or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years. As one of Florida's largest jurisdictions, Duval County's Circuit Court maintains a dedicated probate division with specialized judges and structured procedures.

Consolidated with the City of Jacksonville, Duval County is the largest city by area in the contiguous U.S. and a major port and military hub in northeast Florida.

These local economic and cultural factors directly influence probate in Duval County — from the types and values of assets in local estates to the complexity of property division and the availability of specialized probate attorneys in the Jacksonville area.

Duval County is home to notable landmarks and institutions including Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Fort Caroline National Memorial, TIAA Bank Field. For estates that include interests in local businesses, commercial real estate near these anchors, or specialized assets tied to the area's economy, probate costs can increase due to the need for professional appraisals and valuations.

The Duval County Circuit Court in Jacksonville handles these complex matters alongside routine estate administration.

As a major metropolitan center, Duval County's real estate values and cost of living tend to push estate values — and therefore probate fees — higher than in the state's rural jurisdictions. The trade-off is a deeper pool of experienced probate attorneys and more established court procedures.

• Florida establishes separate statutory fee schedules for personal representatives and attorneys in Duval County, ranked 6th of the state's 67 counties.
• Personal representative fees under Fla.
• Stat.
• § 733.617 follow a tiered schedule: 3% on the first $1 million, 2.5% on the next $4 million, 2% on the next $5 million, and 1.5% above $10 million.
• Attorney fees under Fla.
• Stat.
• § 733.6171 follow their own tiered schedule, and the Duval County Circuit Court in Jacksonville must approve any fee requests that exceed the statutory amounts.

• Court filing fees in Duval County include the initial petition fee, fees for Letters of Administration, and charges for certified copies and other filings.
• As one of Florida's largest jurisdictions, Duval County's Circuit Court maintains a dedicated probate division with specialized judges and established procedures for both formal and summary administration.
• Florida's summary administration option — available for estates under $75,000 or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years — significantly reduces court costs compared to formal administration.

• Probate in Duval County — ranked 6th of Florida's 67 counties — begins with filing a Petition for Administration at the Duval County Circuit Court in Jacksonville.
• Florida offers two primary pathways: formal administration for estates above $75,000, and summary administration for smaller estates or those where the decedent has been dead for more than two years.
• The choice of pathway significantly affects both the timeline and cost of administration in Duval County.

• Under formal administration, the personal representative must publish a Notice to Creditors in a Jacksonville-area newspaper, file an inventory within 60 days of appointment, and manage the estate through the creditor claims period (which runs 90 days from the first publication or 30 days from service on known creditors).
• Duval County's Circuit Court maintains dedicated probate hearing days, and familiarize with the local administrative orders governing probate procedures.
• Florida's homestead protections — among the strongest in the nation — create additional complexity for estates that include the decedent's primary residence.

Florida's summary administration procedure — available for estates valued under $75,000 or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years — provides a streamlined alternative to formal probate in Duval County, ranked 6th of the state's 67 counties. Summary administration eliminates the need for a personal representative and allows the court to order direct distribution of assets to beneficiaries.

The petition is filed at the Duval County Circuit Court in Jacksonville.

Florida also offers a Disposition Without Administration procedure for estates consisting solely of exempt property (including homestead) and non-exempt personal property that does not exceed the cost of preferred funeral expenses and reasonable medical expenses of the last 60 days. In a larger jurisdiction like Duval County, summary administration accounts for a significant volume of probate filings, and the court's staff are experienced with the streamlined procedures.

Florida's strong homestead protections mean that the primary residence often passes outside the probate estate entirely, reducing the value subject to formal administration.

• Getting an accurate probate cost estimate for an estate in Duval County requires accounting for both Florida's statutory percentage schedule and the local filing fees charged by the Duval County Circuit Court.
• In one of Florida's larger jurisdictions, costs can add up quickly between professional fees, court costs, and administrative expenses.
• Having a clear estimate before you begin helps you plan and avoids surprises during administration.
• This calculator applies Florida's specific rules automatically, giving you an estimate within minutes of entering the estate's approximate value.

• This free probate calculator covers Florida's statutory percentage schedule and generates instant estimates based on estate value — no account required.
• Whether you're an executor, a beneficiary, or a family member trying to understand what comes next, you can get a clear picture of expected costs for Duval County in just a few minutes.

Beyond probate costs, Duval County residents may need other legal tools. Our Divorce Cost Estimator for Florida covers filing fees, attorney costs, and mediation options across the state.

For statewide legal deadlines, see the Florida Statute of Limitations lookup.

Additional free tools: Florida Estate Tax Calculator for federal and state estate tax exposure, Florida Small Estate Checker to see if the estate qualifies for simplified procedures, and Florida Homestead Exemption Calculator to understand property protections that may affect the probate estate.

• Probate rules and costs vary across Florida's 67 counties.
• Compare Duval County with other jurisdictions: Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, Hillsborough County.

Each county page covers local court procedures, filing fees, small estate thresholds, and an interactive probate cost calculator pre-set for that county's specific rules.

• Probate rules and costs vary across Florida's 67 counties.
• Compare Duval County with other jurisdictions: Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, Hillsborough County.

Each county page covers local court procedures, filing fees, small estate thresholds, and an interactive probate cost calculator pre-set for that county's specific rules.