Clerk of Court
Gary J. Cooney
Mail: P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778-7800. Main phone 352-742-4100.
Official sourceStaff review draft · Not indexed
Florida Probate Guide · Fifth Judicial Circuit
Lake County Probate Court Guide2026 EDITION
Lake County probate is filed with the Clerk at the courthouse in Tavares. Administrative Order L-2025-60-D, effective June 22, 2026, splits probate evenly among Judges James R. Baxley, Heidi Davis, Cary F. Rada, and Brian J. Welke. All four use the same mailed-order procedure.
Court details last reviewed October 29, 2026
Court information
Where is probate filed in Lake County?
Probate filings go through the county Clerk of Court and are assigned within the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Check the Clerk’s current instructions before mailing documents or visiting in person.
Check the official court sourceLake County Courthouse
- Address
- 550 W. Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778Probate clerk services, East Wing
- Public counter hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Probate contact
- 352-742-4100
Current assignments
Who handles probate matters in Lake County?
Judicial assignments and staff contacts can change. These names were checked against official court sources on October 29, 2026.
Probate Judge — one quarter of the docket
Hon. James R. Baxley
Suite 8. Judicial assistant: Andrea Roberts. 352-742-4203. Also the administrative judge.
Official sourceProbate Judge — one quarter of the docket
Hon. Heidi Davis
Suite 5. Judicial assistant: Lisa Denison. 352-742-4215.
Official sourceProbate Judge — one quarter of the docket
Hon. Cary F. Rada
Suite 11. The probate page lists judicial assistant Margie Eaton. The judiciary directory lists Marjorie Eaton. 352-253-4512.
Official sourceProbate Judge — one quarter of the docket
Hon. Brian J. Welke
Suite 6. Judicial assistant: Sherry Turner. 352-742-4206.
Official sourceLocal procedure
What local probate rules apply?
The circuit’s Lake probate page says all four judges use the same proposed-order steps. Mail the packet to the assigned judge. Do not email the proposed order, do not send it to the Clerk, and do not e-file it. The Clerk’s probate page still describes summary administration with an older estate-value figure. Use Florida Statute § 735.201. The fee table on the Clerk’s site is a separate page and is the source for the amounts below.
Proposed-order checklist
- 1E-file the petition so the Clerk can stamp it, then mail the order packet to the assigned judge’s suite.
- 2Include a cover letter, a portal-stamped copy of the completed checklist, a portal-stamped copy of the petition or motion, and the proposed order.
- 3Send the proposed order by U.S. mail only. The circuit says email orders are not accepted and e-filed proposed orders will be rejected.
- 4Send original wills and death certificates to the Clerk, not to the judge. Do not send payment to the judge.
- 5The circuit holds a proposed order for 10 days for the rest of the paperwork. After that, it says the mailed copies are destroyed.
- 6Use the circuit checklists for opening formal administration, closing formal administration, summary administration, and homestead.
Are probate hearings remote?
The Lake probate page sets the order-mailing rule. It does not publish one Zoom rule for probate hearings. The hearing notice controls the format. Judge chambers are in numbered suites at the same Tavares courthouse. Probate clerk services are in the East Wing.
Can Lauren handle the case remotely?
The case can be e-filed, but Lake proposed orders are mailed to the judge and are not accepted by email or through the portal. Original wills and death certificates go to the Clerk. A hearing may still require a trip to Tavares.
Process overview
How does a Lake 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 Fifth 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 Lake 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 Lake County Clerk’s probate fee table. The formal line on that table is labeled as disposition of personal property with administration. Confirm the line that matches the filing. The Clerk’s narrative probate page still uses an older summary-administration figure. That narrative is not the fee table and is not the statewide test.
Clerk servicePosted fee
Opening an estate of one document or more, not including letters or a summary order$231
Summary administration — estate less than $1,000$235
Summary administration — estate $1,000 or more$345
Formal administration$400
Caveat or notice of trust$41
Disposition of personal property without administration$231
Straight answers
Lake County probate FAQ
Where do I file probate in Lake County?
File with the Lake County Clerk at the courthouse, 550 W. Main Street, Tavares. Probate clerk services are in the East Wing. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The main phone is 352-742-4100. Mail can go to P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778-7800.
Which judges handle Lake County probate?
Administrative Order L-2025-60-D gives one quarter of the probate cases to each of Judge James R. Baxley, Judge Heidi Davis, Judge Cary F. Rada, and Judge Brian J. Welke. All four use the same mailed-order procedure.
Can a Lake County proposed order be e-filed?
No. The circuit says to mail the proposed order to the judicial assistant, not to email it and not to submit it through the e-portal. The petition itself is e-filed so the copy in the packet is portal-stamped.
What estates qualify for Florida Summary Administration in Lake 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 Lake 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
- Lake Clerk — office locations and hours
- Lake Clerk — Gary J. Cooney
- Fifth Judicial Circuit — Lake County Probate Division
- Lake Clerk — probate, guardianship, and mental health fees
- Administrative Order L-2025-60-D, Lake circuit assignments for 2026
- Fifth Judicial Circuit — Lake County judiciary
- 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.