Last updated June 27, 2026
Probate in Union County is handled by Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit, through the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court’s probate division in Lake Butler. As in every Florida county, cases are filed electronically through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. This is general information about Florida law, not legal advice.
Where Union County probate is filed
Union County sits in the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Probate matters are filed with the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court (probate division), with the courthouse in Lake Butler. Florida uses a single statewide e-filing system — the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com (Opens in a new windowSe abre en una ventana nuevaLouvri nan yon nouvo fenètОткроется в новом окнеנפתח בחלון חדש) — so documents are submitted online. Confirm the current filing address, division, and any local administrative requirements directly with the Union Clerk.
Which probate path will the estate take?
Florida has more than one path — formal administration, summary administration (for smaller or older estates), and disposition without administration (for very small estates). See summary vs. formal administration, or use the free probate checker to estimate which path a Union County estate is likely to follow.
What Union County probate costs
Florida probate cost is largely statewide: attorney fees are presumed reasonable on a statutory schedule that scales with the estate (§733.6171), the personal representative may take a commission (§733.617), and court filing fees are set by §28.241 (roughly $400 for formal administration and about $235 for summary administration), plus publication and certified-copy costs. Estimate a specific estate with the Florida probate cost calculator.
Key deadlines
In formal administration, the personal representative publishes a notice to creditors; most claims must then be filed within the later of three months after first publication or 30 days after service (§733.702), with a two-year absolute bar from the date of death (§733.710). These run the same in Union County as elsewhere in Florida.
Union County's court forms — the 8th Judicial Circuit
8 official 8th-Circuit forms the engine completes for you
- Petition for Appointment of Curator (Word) · 20 fields
- Disposition of Personal Property w/o Administration (Word) · 1 fields
- Homestead — Stand-Alone Petition (Word) · 1 fields
- Homestead — Summary Administration (Word) · 1 fields
- Petition for Administration (Intestate) Checklist (Word) · 4 fields
- Petition for Administration (Testate) Checklist (Word) · 5 fields
- Summary Administration Petition — Will Probated in Another State (Word) · 1 fields
- Stand-alone Petition to Determine Homestead · 102 fields
8 official documents pinned for download
- Affidavit of Heirs (form)
- Summary Administration Checklist
- Petition for Summary Administration (info + form)
- Petition for Disposition Without Administration (form)
- Petitioner's Response to Statement of Claim (pro se)
- Homestead Determination in Formal Administration — Requirements (Word, reference)
- Summary Administration & Homestead Petition — Requirements (Word, reference)
- Summary Administration Petition — Requirements (Word, reference)
Counts and titles are computed from the hash-pinned forms catalog — the questionnaire is free; completed-form downloads are included with Probate Administration or any estate plan. Local practice varies — confirm current requirements with the Union County Clerk.
More Florida probate guidance
- Florida probate, explained →
- How much probate costs in Florida →
- How to avoid probate in Florida →
- Probate in other Florida counties →
General information about Florida law, not legal advice. Court locations, fees, and local procedures change — confirm with the Union Clerk of the Circuit Court and a licensed Florida attorney. EstateDraftFL is software, not a law firm.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Union County, Florida?
Union County probate is handled by the Eighth Judicial Circuit, through the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court's probate division in Lake Butler. Like all Florida counties, filings are submitted electronically through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Confirm the current filing location and any local requirements with the Union Clerk.
Do I need probate in Union County?
It depends on how the assets are titled. Assets in the deceased's sole name (no beneficiary, joint owner, or trust) generally require probate; assets that pass by beneficiary designation, survivorship, or a funded trust may not. Smaller or older Union County estates may qualify for summary administration.
How much does probate cost in Union County?
Florida sets attorney fees and the personal-representative commission by statute (§733.6171 and §733.617), scaling with the estate, plus court filing fees set by §28.241 (roughly $400 for formal administration and about $235 for summary administration) and publication costs. The same schedule applies statewide, including Union County.
How long does Union County probate take?
Summary administration can take a few weeks to a couple of months; formal administration commonly runs several months to a year, largely because of the creditor-claim period. Timelines vary by estate and the court's docket in Lake Butler.
General information about Florida law, not legal advice.