Union County, Florida Probate
Cost Calculator

Florida's probate code governs all estate proceedings in Union County, where the Union County Circuit Court in Lake Butler handles filings for the jurisdiction's 15,237 residents. As in the lower quarter of Florida jurisdictions by population, the court applies the state's statutory percentage schedule within a local context worth understanding before filing.

With roughly 15,237 residents, Union County ranks 60th out of 67 Florida jurisdictions by population. The Union County Circuit Court in Lake Butler handles probate alongside other civil and criminal matters, and the lower case volume means both more flexibility in scheduling and fewer dedicated probate resources.

Estates in Union County commonly involve family homesteads, agricultural or rural land, modest financial accounts, and personal property. The typical timeline of 6-12 months applies, though straightforward estates may resolve faster given the court's lighter docket.

Florida's probate system in Union County — ranked 60th of the state's 67 counties — operates through the Union County Circuit Court in Lake Butler. 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. In Union County, the Circuit Court processes probate alongside other civil matters, and confirm local scheduling and filing preferences.

• Florida establishes separate statutory fee schedules for personal representatives and attorneys in Union County, ranked 60th 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 Union County Circuit Court in Lake Butler must approve any fee requests that exceed the statutory amounts.

• Court filing fees in Union County include the initial petition fee, fees for Letters of Administration, and charges for certified copies and other filings.
• The Circuit Court in Lake Butler processes probate filings on its general civil docket, and confirm the current fee schedule with the clerk's office.
• 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 Union County — ranked 60th of Florida's 67 counties — begins with filing a Petition for Administration at the Union County Circuit Court in Lake Butler.
• 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 Union County.

• Under formal administration, the personal representative must publish a Notice to Creditors in a Lake Butler-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).
• The typical probate timeline in Union County runs 6-12 months, though summary administration can resolve qualifying estates significantly faster.
• 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 Union County, ranked 60th 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 Union County Circuit Court in Lake Butler.

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 Union County, where estate compositions tend toward residential property and retirement accounts, summary administration and disposition without administration handle a meaningful share of estate transfers.

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 Union County requires accounting for both Florida's statutory percentage schedule and the local filing fees charged by the Union County Circuit Court.
• In Union County, where the legal community is smaller and more personal, knowing your costs upfront helps you have informed conversations with any attorney you consult.
• Many families in smaller jurisdictions handle simpler estates themselves, and understanding the cost structure helps you decide the right approach.
• 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 Union County in just a few minutes.

Beyond probate costs, Union 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 Union 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 Union 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.