What Probate Covers in Orange County
Probate is the court process for settling estates and protecting people who cannot act for themselves. It covers wills, estate administration, guardianships, trusts, and related filings. In Orange County, the Probate Division of the Circuit Court handles these matters. There is no separate elected probate court in Florida, so probate runs as a division of the trial court.
The clerk maintains probate records and makes them searchable through the my eClerk case system. Probate case types range from formal and summary administration to guardianship, trusts, caveats, and wills deposited for safekeeping. The records are part of the broader Circuit Court file set, so they search the same way as other court records.
The Florida Courts structure shows how probate sits within the Circuit Court.
Because probate is a Circuit Court division, the appeal path and rules follow the trial-court system.
Probate Terms Defined
Probate uses words that do not come up in daily life. A quick guide helps when reading a case docket or a filing. The terms below show up across most Orange County probate files.
- Testator
- The person who made the will.
- Executor
- The person named in the will to settle the estate.
- Intestate
- A death with no valid will on file.
- Guardianship
- Court-ordered authority to act for an incapacitated adult or a minor.
- Conservatorship
- Court-ordered control of an absent person's property.
- Summary administration
- A faster estate process for smaller or older estates.
How to Search Orange County Probate Records
Probate records search through the clerk's my eClerk system at myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com. Choose Probate Case Records, or pick a specific probate case type from the dropdown. A name search needs both first and last name, and can use the decedent, guardian, ward, or party name. Anonymous users clear a CAPTCHA before each search.
- Open the my eClerk case search form.
- Choose Probate Case Records or a probate case type.
- Enter a full name or a case number, then clear the CAPTCHA.
Probate case types in my eClerk include Formal Administration, Summary Administration, Guardianship, Trust, Caveat, and Wills For Safekeeping, among others.
The Probate Division in Orange County
The Probate Division of the Circuit Court hears probate, guardianship, and trust matters at the Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando. The clerk maintains the files and offers form packets for self-represented filers. The court sits within the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which serves Orange and Osceola counties.
Probate Division, Circuit Court
Orange County Courthouse
425 North Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Probate Filing Fees
The clerk charges set fees for probate filings and copies. Amounts are set by state law and can change, so confirm a current figure on the clerk page. The table below shows how each fee is set rather than a fixed amount.
| Service | How the Fee Is Set |
|---|---|
| Estate administration filing | State-set fee that varies by estate type |
| Guardianship filing | State-set filing fee |
| Certified copies | Certification charge plus a per-page rate |
| Fee waiver | Available for filers who qualify as indigent |
What Orange County Probate Records Show
A probate file tracks the estate from opening to close. It can hold the petition, the will, letters that name a personal representative, an inventory of assets, creditor notices, accountings, and the order of distribution. A guardianship file can hold the incapacity petition, the appointment order, the annual plan, and the accounting the court reviews.
The docket lists each step in date order, much like other court cases. Documents appear as public PDFs when access is allowed, while sensitive material can be blocked. For the full search workflow, see the Orange County court records page.
Note: A will deposited for safekeeping is listed as its own case type, so an estate may not be open even when a will is on file with the clerk.
Restricted Probate Records
Some probate material is confidential. Guardianship and incapacity records can include health and financial details that are protected. Minor settlements and adoption-adjacent records may be restricted. A will deposited for safekeeping is listed as a case type, but public access to it can differ from access to an open estate file. When a record is blocked, a party usually files a motion in the case to seek access.
Estate Administration Types
Florida sorts estates by size and need. Formal administration is the full process for larger estates and appoints a personal representative. Summary administration is a faster path for smaller or older estates. Disposition of personal property without administration is a limited process for very small estates with no real property.
The right path depends on the estate value, the assets, and the time since death. The clerk offers form packets, and Florida Courts publishes self-help resources for filers who do not have a lawyer. Each estate type has its own filing and notice steps. A personal representative may also need to publish notice to creditors and file an inventory, depending on the estate type the court opens.
Guardianship and Trust Records
Guardianship cases protect an adult or minor who cannot manage their own affairs. The court reviews an incapacity petition, appoints a guardian, and then monitors the case through an annual plan and accounting. Professional and family guardianships both run through the probate division. Trust matters, such as a notice of trust, also appear among the probate case types.
Because guardianship files carry health and financial detail, much of the content is confidential. The docket may show case activity while the sensitive documents stay blocked. A preneed guardian designation and a guardian advocate case also appear among the probate categories, each with its own filing path and review schedule set by the court.
Orange County Probate Questions
Which court handles probate in Orange County?
The Probate Division of the Circuit Court handles probate, guardianship, and trust matters. Florida does not use a separate elected probate court, so probate runs as a division of the trial court at the Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando.
How do I search a probate case?
Use the clerk's my eClerk case search. Choose Probate Case Records or a specific probate case type, then search by name or case number. A name search needs both first and last name, and anonymous users clear a CAPTCHA before each search.