St. Johns County, home to St. Augustine, handles probate matters through the 7th Judicial Circuit, and the process there follows the same general framework used across Florida. Even so, anyone researching St. Johns County probate benefits from knowing a few local details before getting started: what the courthouse is actually called, how to reach the clerk's probate staff, and where to find the county's online resources. This guide focuses on those practical details rather than re-explaining the probate process itself, which is covered elsewhere in more depth.
St. Johns County Probate: Key Contact Information
The St. Johns County Clerk of Court handles probate filings for the 7th Judicial Circuit. Here are the verified contact points:
- Courthouse: Richard O. Watson Judicial Center, 4010 Lewis Speedway, St Augustine, FL 32084
- Main courthouse phone: (904) 819-3600
- Clerk of Court website: stjohnsclerk.com
- Probate contact: probate@stjohnsclerk.com
A Practical Detail: Know the Courthouse Name, and Expect Email for Probate
The St. Johns County courthouse is officially named the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center, not a generic "St. Johns County Courthouse." This is worth knowing when searching online or giving directions, since mapping services and search results may respond better to the official name. The courthouse is located in St. Augustine at 4010 Lewis Speedway.
It's also worth flagging that, unlike many counties, the probate contact provided for St. Johns County is an email address, probate@stjohnsclerk.com, rather than a dedicated probate phone line. Someone expecting to call a probate division directly should know that email may be the more direct route here. The main courthouse phone number listed above reaches the courthouse generally, but the probate-specific point of contact given is the email address above.
What Generally Happens Once a Case Is Opened
Once a probate case is opened in any Florida county, the process generally follows a similar sequence. A personal representative is appointed and given legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. Notice is provided to creditors and interested parties, and a period follows during which claims against the estate can be filed and addressed. Once debts, taxes, and claims are resolved, the estate's remaining assets are distributed to beneficiaries according to the will or, if there is no will, according to Florida's intestacy laws. The specific pace and requirements can vary by case and by court, which is part of why confirming local practices matters.
The General Probate Process
For a broader explanation of how Florida probate works from start to finish, see What Is Probate in Florida and How Does It Work. For a comparison of the two main paths an estate can take, see Formal vs. Summary Administration in Florida: A General Overview.
Local Rules and Filing Requirements Can Vary
Individual courts and circuits can have their own local rules, administrative orders, and filing preferences that go beyond the general statewide framework. Anyone with questions specific to their situation should confirm current local rules directly with the court or consult a local attorney. The Florida Bar's Lawyer Referral Service is one resource for finding a licensed Florida attorney who can advise on county-specific procedures.
Looking for Another County?
This is one in a series of county-specific guides. For courthouse and probate contact information in any other Florida county, see the full directory of Florida county resources.
Get Started with Your Estate Planning Documents
Preparing estate planning documents doesn't have to start with a courthouse visit. SunstateDocs' Complete Estate Planning Bundle helps individuals generate the documents commonly used in Florida estate planning, based on the information they provide, well before any courthouse or probate division ever needs to get involved.
This article is general information, not legal advice. SunstateDocs is not a law firm.