Lee County Probate Court Records are official court files for every estate, will, and guardianship case filed in Fort Myers, Florida. These records are kept by the Lee County Clerk of Circuit Court, which serves as the official record keeper for the 20th Judicial Circuit.
Anyone can look at these records to check case status, find a will, view a petition, or get a certified copy of a court order. The Lee County Justice Center at 1700 Monroe Street in Fort Myers handles all probate filings for the county.
Lee County Clerk of Court and Probate Records
The Lee County Clerk of Court is the main office that holds and manages all probate court records for the county. The Clerk’s office works under Florida law and the rules of the 20th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry counties. The probate division takes in new petitions, stores original wills, files inventories, records accountings, and issues certified copies of court orders to the public.
Lee County Justice Center Location and Hours
The main probate counter sits inside the Lee County Justice Center in downtown Fort Myers. The address is 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. The Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some sources also list a second address at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Fort Myers. Visitors should bring a photo ID and the full legal name of the deceased person when they come to look at probate files.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Building | Lee County Justice Center |
| Street Address | 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Alternate Address | 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone Number | (239) 533-5000 |
| Office Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Court Division | Probate Division, 20th Judicial Circuit |
How to Contact the Probate Clerk
People can reach the Lee County Clerk’s office by phone, email, mail, or in person. The main phone number for the Clerk of Court is (239) 533-5000. Staff can confirm case numbers, check filing dates, and tell you which documents are on file. They cannot give legal advice or help fill out court forms. The Clerk’s official website at leeclerk.org has a public records portal, fee schedules, and a search tool for court cases.
Public Records Custodian Contact Details
Lee County also has a Public Records Custodian who handles general public records requests that go beyond court files. The current Custodian is Dr. Ranice Monroe. You can reach this office by mail at 2115 Second Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. The email is PRRCustodian@leegov.com. The phone number is (239) 533-8735. Most probate record requests go directly to the Clerk of Court, but the Custodian handles records for other county departments.
How to Search Lee County Probate Records Online
The Lee County Clerk runs a free online search tool called the Records Inquiry portal. This portal is open to the public and works on any computer or phone with internet access. Users can search probate cases by decedent name, case number, attorney bar number, or party name. Most basic case data is free to view. A small fee applies when you want to see or print full document images.
Using the Lee Clerk Records Inquiry Portal
The Records Inquiry portal is hosted at matrix.leeclerk.org. To start a search, go to the site and pick the case type, which includes probate. Then enter the last name of the deceased person, a case number, or an attorney name. The portal returns a list of matching cases with the case number, filing date, judge, and current status. Each case page also lists the parties, the personal representative, and the docket of all filings made so far.
Searching by Name, Case Number, or Attorney
A name search works well when you know the full legal name of the person who died. A case number search gives the fastest and most exact result. Florida case numbers for probate follow a format like 2026-CP-000921, where CP means civil probate. You can also search by attorney name to find all the probate cases a specific lawyer has filed in Lee County. The search tools cover both active and closed cases dating back many years.
Viewing Case Dockets and Documents
Once a user clicks on a specific case, the portal shows a docket list. The docket shows every paper filed in the case, such as the petition to admit the will, the order appointing the personal representative, the inventory of assets, and the final discharge. Each docket entry may have a link to a PDF image. Free accounts can view case data. Paid accounts or per-page fees apply for full document copies and certified copies.
Types of Probate Cases Filed in Lee County
Lee County handles all three main types of Florida probate cases. The probate division also handles ancillary cases for non-resident decedents who own property in Florida. The Clerk assigns each case to a probate judge in the 20th Judicial Circuit. Most formal administration cases take at least six months to close because of the creditor claim period.
Formal Administration Cases
Formal administration is the full court-supervised probate process. It is required when a decedent leaves more than $75,000 in probate assets, or when the personal representative wants the court’s full protection. The court appoints a personal representative, who must file an inventory, publish a notice to creditors, pay valid claims, and submit a final accounting. Chapter 733 of the Florida Statutes governs formal administration from start to finish.
Summary Administration Cases
Summary administration is a simpler probate option for smaller estates. A summary case is allowed when the total probate assets are $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years. No personal representative gets appointed in a summary case. The court issues a single order that directs how to distribute the assets. Chapter 735 of the Florida Statutes covers summary administration.
Disposition Without Administration
Disposition without administration is the smallest and fastest option. It only applies when the decedent left no real estate and the total personal property does not exceed the cost of final medical and funeral bills. The person who paid those bills can file a simple petition to be repaid from the estate. No full probate case gets opened, and no personal representative gets appointed.
Guardianship and Other Probate Matters
The Lee County probate division also handles guardianship cases, trust matters filed with the court, and petitions to determine the validity of wills. The 20th Judicial Circuit publishes a formal administrative checklist on its website to help self-represented filers handle these cases. Guardianship cases involve the care of minors or incapacitated adults, and they follow a separate set of rules under Florida law.
Florida Probate Laws That Apply in Lee County
Every probate case in Lee County follows the Florida Probate Code, which runs from Chapter 731 through Chapter 735 of the Florida Statutes. Local rules in the 20th Circuit may add extra requirements, but the core law is the same statewide. Knowing these chapters helps anyone searching probate records understand what each document means.
Florida Probate Code Chapters 731 to 735
Chapter 731 defines the basic terms used in probate. Chapter 732 covers intestate succession, which is how assets pass when there is no valid will. Chapter 733 covers the full formal administration process and the duties of a personal representative. Chapter 734 covers ancillary probate for out-of-state decedents. Chapter 735 covers summary administration, disposition without administration, and small estate procedures.
Summary Administration $75,000 Limit
Florida law sets a $75,000 cap for summary administration of probate assets. The cap does not include homestead property, exempt property, or assets that pass by beneficiary designation. The cap also does not apply when the decedent died more than two years before the petition is filed. Lee County courts process many summary cases each year because of the high number of smaller estates in the area.
Notice to Creditors and Claim Periods
The personal representative in a formal probate case must publish a notice to creditors in a local newspaper. Creditors then have three months from the date of first publication to file a claim against the estate. After the claim period closes, the personal representative reviews each claim and decides whether to pay, object, or negotiate. Late claims may be barred unless the court gives extra time for good cause.
Homestead Property Rules
Florida homestead property is protected by the state constitution. A homestead may pass outside of probate through a will, by intestate succession, or through a deed recorded before death. The exact rules depend on whether the decedent had a surviving spouse, minor children, or both. Lee County sees many homestead cases because the area has a large population of retired homeowners.
Requesting Certified Copies of Probate Records
Certified copies of probate court records are often needed to transfer property, close bank accounts, or claim insurance benefits. A certified copy has the Clerk’s raised seal and an official stamp. It proves the document is a true copy of the original on file. Plain copies are cheaper but cannot be used for most legal or financial transactions.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk’s Office
You can ask for certified copies in person at the Lee County Justice Center. Go to the probate counter on the first floor and tell the clerk which case and document you need. The clerk will pull the file, copy the page, and attach the official seal. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Most certified copies are ready the same day.
Online and Mail Requests
You can also order certified copies online through the Lee County Clerk’s certified documents page at matrix.leeclerk.org. For mail requests, send a written note that includes the case number, the names of the parties, the document you want, and a daytime phone number. Include a check or money order for the exact fee. The Clerk’s office will mail the certified copy back to you.
Fees for Certified and Regular Copies
Florida law sets the fees that all clerks charge for copies. The standard fee is a set amount for the first page and a smaller amount for each extra page. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. There is also a small search fee if the clerk has to look up a case by name. The exact fee schedule is published on the Lee County Clerk’s website and is updated each year.
Lee County Probate Statistics and Filing Data
Lee County is one of the busiest probate courts in Florida. The high filing volume comes from the large retiree population, the many seasonal residents, and the high value of local real estate. The Clerk’s office tracks every filing and posts annual reports on its website. These reports help researchers, attorneys, and the public see how the local probate system is working.
Annual Filing Volume
Lee County sees thousands of new probate filings each year. Formal administration makes up the largest share because of the high value of local estates. Summary administration is the second most common filing. Disposition without administration and ancillary probate cases make up a smaller share. The Clerk’s annual report breaks down the numbers by case type and by judge.
E-Filing Usage in Lee County
Most probate filings in Lee County are now submitted through the statewide e-filing portal. Attorneys must use e-filing for almost all documents. Self-represented filers can also use e-filing or file paper documents at the counter. E-filing speeds up the process and gives the filer a time-stamped receipt. It also makes it easier to search the docket online later.
Common Filing Types
The most common probate filings in Lee County include the petition to admit the will, the petition for summary administration, the order appointing a personal representative, letters of administration, the inventory of estate assets, the notice to creditors, and the final discharge. Each filing creates a new docket entry that anyone can view through the public records portal.
Legal Resources for Lee County Probate Matters
Lee County has many legal resources for people who need help with probate. Some are free. Others charge a fee. The Clerk’s office always provides a list of local legal aid providers and lawyer referral services at the probate counter. Anyone handling a probate case without a lawyer should read the local rules and self-help guides before filing.
20th Judicial Circuit Self-Help Resources
The 20th Judicial Circuit website at ca.cjis20.org has local rules, administrative orders, judge assignments, and self-help guides for probate cases. The site also lists the formal administrative checklist for filing a probate case in Lee County. Self-represented filers can download the checklist and the local cover sheet to make sure their filing meets local requirements.
Florida Courts Self-Help Center
The Florida Courts self-help center at flcourts.gov has statewide probate forms, plain-language guides, and answers to common probate questions. The site covers formal administration, summary administration, disposition without administration, and guardianship. The forms are free to download and use. Most forms come with instructions that explain each step in simple language.
Local Legal Aid Providers
Income-eligible residents of Lee County can get free help with probate matters from Legal Aid Service of Collier County and Gulfcoast Legal Services. These groups handle simple probate cases for clients who meet their income rules. The Clerk’s office can give you a current list of legal aid providers and their contact numbers. The Florida Bar lawyer referral service can also help you find a local probate attorney.
Probate Court Records FAQ
Below are answers to common questions about Lee County probate court records. These questions cover the topics people ask most often when they need to find, view, or request probate files in Lee County. Each answer is based on Florida law and current Lee County Clerk practices. For any specific case, always confirm the details with the Clerk’s office before taking action.
How do I find a probate case in Lee County?
Go to the Lee County Clerk Records Inquiry portal at matrix.leeclerk.org and pick the probate case type. Enter the last name of the deceased person or the case number. The portal will show a list of matching cases with the case number, filing date, judge, and current status. You can click any case to see the full docket and a list of all documents filed. The basic search is free to use.
Can I view probate records for free in Lee County?
Yes, basic case data is free to view through the Clerk’s online portal. You can see the case number, parties, judge, filing dates, and docket entries at no cost. A small fee applies when you want to view or print full document images. Certified copies also cost more than plain copies. You can view records for free at the public terminals inside the Lee County Justice Center.
What is the difference between formal and summary administration?
Formal administration is the full court-supervised probate process used for larger estates. The court appoints a personal representative who manages the estate under court supervision. Summary administration is a simpler process for smaller estates of $75,000 or less, or for decedents who died more than two years ago. Summary cases do not appoint a personal representative and close faster than formal cases.
How long does probate take in Lee County?
Formal administration in Lee County takes at least six months because of the three-month creditor claim period and other required steps. Many formal cases take nine to eighteen months to close. Summary administration cases often close in two to three months. Disposition without administration can close in a few weeks. The exact timeline depends on the size and complexity of the estate.
Can I get a certified copy of a will from Lee County?
Yes, you can request a certified copy of any will on file with the Lee County Clerk. You will need the case number or the full name of the deceased and the approximate date of death. The certified copy will have the Clerk’s raised seal and an official stamp. A certified copy can be used to transfer property, claim insurance, and complete other legal tasks. Plain copies cannot be used for those tasks.
Do I need a lawyer to file probate in Lee County?
You are not required to hire a lawyer to file probate in Lee County. Many people file summary administration and disposition cases on their own. Formal administration is more complex and most people hire a probate attorney for that type of case. The Clerk’s office and the Florida Courts self-help center have free forms and guides for self-represented filers. Local legal aid groups may also help income-eligible residents.
Where do I file a probate case in Lee County?
You file a probate case in the county where the deceased person lived at the time of death. If the deceased lived in Lee County, you file at the Lee County Justice Center at 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. The Clerk’s office accepts paper filings at the counter and electronic filings through the statewide portal. You must also publish a notice to creditors in a local newspaper if you file a formal administration case.