Probate in Hillsborough County: Where It’s Filed
Tampa is in Hillsborough County, which sits in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit. Probate is filed with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. Cases are handled at the George Edgecomb Courthouse at 800 E. Twiggs Street in Tampa. Attorneys e-file every document through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is why an out-of-state family can have a Hillsborough County estate handled without anyone traveling to the courthouse.
The Clerk’s Probate, Guardianship and Trust department screens filings and audits guardianship accountings; its Tampa counter is in Room 204 of the Edgecomb courthouse. We serve Tampa and Hillsborough County residents, including Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Riverview, Carrollwood, Temple Terrace, Valrico.
Which Kind of Probate You’ll Need
Most Hillsborough County estates pass through one of three doors. The cheapest one may be open.
- Disposition without administration. Tiny estates with only exempt property and final-expense reimbursement; days to weeks.
- Summary administration. Estates of $150,000 or less (raised from $75,000 on July 1, 2026) after exempt property, or when the decedent died more than two years ago; often weeks.
- Formal administration. Everything else; a personal representative is appointed and the case runs about 6 to 12 months.
We confirm which applies at your consultation and quote a flat fee. Estimate the cost and timeline first →
How Long, and What It Costs
Formal administration is paced by the 3-month creditor-claim window; clean distribution waits for it to pass. Florida law sets a presumed-reasonable attorney fee scaled to the estate, but it’s a ceiling, not a mandate. Our flat fees start at $1,500 (disposition), $2,500 (summary), and $3,500 (formal). Government costs, the Hillsborough County filing fee (about $400), newspaper publication, and certified copies, are additional and passed through at cost. See the full Florida probate guide →
Out-of-State Personal Representatives
Under Florida law, you can serve as personal representative of a Hillsborough County estate from another state if you’re related to the decedent by blood, adoption, or marriage; an out-of-state child qualifies. We represent personal representatives across Tampa and Hillsborough County by phone, video, and e-signature.
Inherited a house or other real property here, or took charge of one as personal representative or trustee? Our guide to inheriting a house in Hillsborough County maps every office that now matters to you, including the property appraiser, tax deadlines, code enforcement, and how to watch what the county is planning near the property.
Local Rules, Judges, and the Clerk’s Probate Office
Every circuit publishes administrative orders and local procedures that control how probate actually runs in Hillsborough County, including which division gets the case, which checklists are required, and how proposed orders reach the judge. Under AO S-2024-013, the clerk assigns probate cases to two Tampa divisions on a 5 to 3 ratio, unless the decedent was domiciled inside the East Division boundaries, which sends the case to a Plant City division instead. Proposed orders go through the e-filing portal within 10 days of the ruling, and each probate judge posts individual procedures and preferences on the judges directory.
- Administrative orders of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
- Thirteenth Judicial Circuit judges directory
- The clerk’s probate office for Hillsborough County
- Local probate forms and checklists
You do not have to learn any of this yourself. Part of what a flat fee covers is an attorney who already files under these rules, so nothing bounces back for a missing checklist.
Rather handle the filing yourself? Our Hillsborough County Probate Court filing guide is the procedural version of this page, with the courthouse address, where the original will goes, which forms the county wants, the posted filing fee, and an eleven-step checklist for opening the estate.
Handling a Tampa estate?
A free consultation tells you which kind of probate applies and what it will cost.
Book a free consultationFrequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a probate lawyer in Tampa?
Ask the same four questions everywhere in Florida. Is the fee flat or the statutory percentage, in writing? Does the lawyer litigate if a will contest or objection erupts mid-case? Can the whole case be handled without you coming to Florida, since Florida probate e-files statewide? And does the estate, not you personally, pay the fee? We answer flat, yes, yes, and yes for Tampa and Hillsborough County families.
Where is probate filed in Hillsborough County?
Probate is filed with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, in the 13th Judicial Circuit, where the decedent was domiciled. Attorneys e-file through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, so you don't have to appear in person. We handle Hillsborough County estates wherever you are.
How long will it take?
Formal administration in any Florida county usually runs 6 to 12 months because the 3-month creditor-claim window (§733.702) must pass. Summary administration is faster, often a few weeks to about two months.
Do I need a local attorney if I live out of state?
You need a Florida attorney for most formal administrations (Fla. Prob. R. 5.030), but you don't need to be local. We represent personal representatives across Tampa and Hillsborough County by phone, video, and e-signature.
Sources
- Fla. Stat. ch. 733 to 735 (administration); §733.304 (nonresident PR); §733.702 (creditor claims); Fla. Prob. R. 5.030 (attorney required). Filing via the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller (13th Judicial Circuit) and the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. (retrieved 2026-06-07)
Updated September 29, 2026. Reviewed by Kevin D. Klagge, Esq., Fla. Bar No. 99502. Attorney Kevin Klagge represents families, businesses, and international clients in estate and tax planning, business structuring, and international law, with a focus on Florida legal tools. He litigates estate and business issues in court. General information about Florida law, not legal advice. We serve Tampa and Hillsborough County residents from Miami; this is not a Tampa office.
Notary Services in Tampa
The firm prepares your deed or trust and most clients sign from home by online notarization, with the firm arranging the notary and the two witnesses by video. Some people prefer to sign on paper in person. A Florida deed must be signed in front of two witnesses and acknowledged before a notary, so you need to bring two adult witnesses who are not named in the deed. Do not count on the store to supply witnesses. Call the store first to confirm a notary is on duty that day.
| Store | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| The UPS Store #6835 | 107 N 11th St, Tampa 33602 | (813) 540-4134 | Mon to Fri 8 am to 6:30 pm · Sat 9:30 am to 3 pm · Sun 10 am to 3 pm |
| The UPS Store #7420Jw Marriott | 510 Water St, Tampa 33602 | (813) 314-6667 | Mon to Fri 8 am to 6:30 pm · Sat 9 am to 3 pm · Sun 12 pm to 5 pm |
| The UPS Store #4639Between Marion St And Morgan St In Downtown Tampa | 503 E Jackson St, Tampa 33602 | (813) 387-3335 | Mon to Fri 8 am to 6:30 pm · Sat 9:30 am to 3 pm · Sun 10 am to 3 pm |
| The UPS Store #6093Located Inside The Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel | 505 Water St, Tampa 33602 | (813) 204-6372 | Mon to Fri 8 am to 6:30 pm · Sat 9 am to 3 pm · Sun closed |
| The UPS Store #4317Corner Of Howard & Swann Avenues, Next Door To Panera Bread | 701 S Howard Ave, #106, Tampa 33606 | (813) 250-0611 | Mon to Fri 8 am to 6:30 pm · Sat 9:30 am to 3 pm · Sun 10 am to 3 pm |
| The UPS Store #3751Hyde Park Shopping Center At Platt And Plant Streets | 301 West Platt St, Tampa 33606 | (813) 251-9593 | Mon to Fri 8 am to 6:30 pm · Sat 9 am to 5 pm · Sun 11 am to 5 pm |
| The UPS Store #7069 | 2541 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa 33607 | (813) 542-3836 | Mon to Fri 9 am to 7:30 pm · Sat to Sun 10 am to 4 pm |
| The UPS Store #06152 Blocks East Of Westshore Blvd On South Side Of Street | 4532 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa 33609 | (813) 286-7775 | Mon to Fri 8 am to 6:30 pm · Sat 9:30 am to 3 pm · Sun 10 am to 3 pm |
| The UPS Store #5509On The Corner Of Gandy Blvd & Dale Mabry Hwy | 3690 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa 33611 | (813) 514-8383 | Mon to Fri 8 am to 6:30 pm · Sat 9:30 am to 3 pm · Sun 9 am to 3 pm |
| The UPS Store #3318Shopping Center Behind Bank Of America | 218 E Bearss Ave, Tampa 33613 | (813) 960-5500 | Mon to Fri 8:30 am to 7 pm · Sat 10 am to 6 pm · Sun 10 am to 3 pm |
Hours read from each store’s own page on October 30, 2026. Confirm by phone before you go. 17 more Tampa locations are listed on The UPS Store locator.
