Clerk of Court
Victor D. Crist
Mail: P.O. Box 3360, Tampa, FL 33601-3360. Probate phone 813-276-8100.
Official sourceStaff review draft · Not indexed
Florida Probate Guide · Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Hillsborough County Probate Court Guide2026 EDITION
Hillsborough probate files are kept by the Clerk of Court. Guardianship and probate service is offered at the George Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa, and also in Plant City and Brandon. The Clerk points filers to five judges for the preferred probate document format.
Court details last reviewed October 29, 2026
Court information
Where is probate filed in Hillsborough County?
Probate filings go through the county Clerk of Court and are assigned within the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. Check the Clerk’s current instructions before mailing documents or visiting in person.
Check the official court sourceGeorge Edgecomb Courthouse
- Address
- 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
- Public counter hours
- Tampa customer service is 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday. Confirm the probate counter, and make an appointment for downtown Tampa.
- Probate contact
- 813-276-8100
Current assignments
Who handles probate matters in Hillsborough County?
Judicial assignments and staff contacts can change. These names were checked against official court sources on October 29, 2026.
Probate Judge — Division A
Hon. Catherine M. Catlin
The Clerk links this judge’s preferences for probate document format.
Official sourceProbate Judge — Division B
Hon. Caroline Tesche Arkin
The Clerk links this judge’s preferences for probate document format.
Official sourceProbate Judge — Division U
Hon. Cory L. Chandler
The Clerk links this judge’s preferences for probate document format.
Official sourceProbate Judge — Division W
Hon. James S. Moody III
The Clerk links this judge’s preferences for probate document format.
Official sourceProbate Judge — Division O
Hon. Michael S. Williams
The Clerk links this judge’s preferences for probate document format.
Official sourceLocal procedure
What local probate rules apply?
The preferred format for probate documents differs by judge. The Clerk’s probate page links the current preferences for Divisions A, B, U, W, and O. Death certificates and the oath of personal representative can be e-filed. The Clerk says originals of those papers do not have to be mailed.
Proposed-order checklist
- 1E-file the petition and supporting documents. A death certificate, the oath of personal representative, and the oath of guardian can go through the e-portal.
- 2Do not mail those originals to the Clerk or the judge. The Clerk says the portal filing is enough.
- 3Open the preference sheet for the assigned judge before preparing a proposed order. The Clerk says the preferred format differs by judge.
- 4Make an appointment for the downtown Tampa counter, or use the Clerk’s line service for Tampa, Plant City, or Brandon.
Are probate hearings remote?
Hillsborough does not publish one probate-wide Zoom rule on the Clerk’s probate page. Hearing format follows the assigned judge’s preferences and the notice. Read that judge’s sheet before assuming a hearing is remote.
Can Lauren handle the case remotely?
Many Hillsborough probate papers, including death certificates and oaths, can be e-filed. The Tampa counter still takes in-person probate business by appointment. The assigned judge decides whether a hearing is remote.
Process overview
How does a Hillsborough County probate move forward?
The exact path depends on the estate and the court’s orders. This overview shows the common sequence for a matter filed in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit; it is not a filing checklist or a promise of timing.
- 01
Open the estate
File the petition, original will when applicable, death certificate, and required supporting documents.
- 02
Court review
The Clerk processes the filing and the assigned division reviews petitions, checklists, and proposed orders.
- 03
Administer assets
Address notices, creditors, inventory, taxes, property, and distributions required for the selected process.
- 04
Distribute and close
After court requirements are met, distribute the remaining assets and complete the steps needed to close.
2026Threshold
Florida Summary Administration may be available when the estate subject to administration, less exempt property, does not exceed $150,000 or the decedent has been dead for more than two years, subject to the other requirements of Florida Statute § 735.201.
Court costs
What does probate cost in Hillsborough County?
Court filing fees are separate from attorney fees. Lauren reviews the estate before confirming the legal scope and whether flat-fee representation is available.
These amounts are from the Hillsborough Clerk’s probate, guardianship, and trust fee table. Confirm the total before filing. Audit and reopen charges are listed separately.
Clerk servicePosted fee
Formal administration$400
Ancillary administration$400
Summary administration — estate under $1,000$235
Summary administration — estate $1,000 or more$345
Caveat or notice of trust$41
Disposition of personal property without administration$231
Straight answers
Hillsborough County probate FAQ
Where do I file probate in Hillsborough County?
The Clerk lists guardianship and probate service at 800 E. Twiggs Street in downtown Tampa, and also in Plant City and Brandon. The probate phone is 813-276-8100. Mail can go to P.O. Box 3360, Tampa, FL 33601-3360.
Which judges handle Hillsborough probate documents?
The Clerk’s probate page links document preferences for Judge Catherine M. Catlin, Judge Caroline Tesche Arkin, Judge Cory L. Chandler, Judge James S. Moody III, and Judge Michael S. Williams. Use the judge assigned to the case.
Do I have to mail the original death certificate?
The Clerk says a death certificate and the oath of personal representative can be e-filed, and that those originals do not have to be mailed to the Clerk or the judge.
What estates qualify for Florida Summary Administration in Hillsborough County?
Under Florida Statute § 735.201, Summary Administration may be available when the Florida estate subject to administration, less exempt property, does not exceed $150,000 or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years, subject to the statute’s other requirements. The monetary test is statewide.
Clear next steps after a difficult loss.
Call for a free 15-minute consultation about a Hillsborough County probate. Lauren Richardson Law serves families throughout Florida, including people managing an estate from another state.
Verification record
Official sources
Last checked October 29, 2026
- Hillsborough Clerk — Probate, Guardianship, and Trust
- Hillsborough Clerk — Victor D. Crist
- Hillsborough Clerk — service locations
- Hillsborough Clerk — probate, guardianship, and trust fees
- Florida Statutes § 735.201 — Summary administration
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
- Florida Statutes § 28.2401 — Service charges and filing fees in probate matters
This guide provides general information, not legal advice. Court assignments, procedures, fees, and hearing formats can change. Confirm current requirements with the Clerk and assigned division before acting.