Clerk of Court
Traci Perry
Sworn in January 7, 2025, for a first term after running unopposed in 2024. Main line 352-341-6424.
Official sourceStaff review draft · Not indexed
Florida Probate Guide · Fifth Judicial Circuit
Citrus County Probate Court Guide2026 EDITION
Citrus County probate is filed with the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in Inverness. Administrative Order C-2025-45-D, effective June 22, 2026, assigns probate cases, including adversarial probate, to County Judge Edward C. Spaight. The Clerk does not post a probate fee table on the pages reviewed.
Court details last reviewed October 29, 2026
Court information
Where is probate filed in Citrus 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 sourceCitrus County Courthouse
- Address
- 110 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness, FL 34450
- Public counter hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., excluding designated holidays.
- Probate contact
- 352-341-6424
Current assignments
Who handles probate matters in Citrus County?
Judicial assignments and staff contacts can change. These names were checked against official court sources on October 29, 2026.
Probate Judge
Hon. Edward C. Spaight
County judge. The 2026 assignment order gives him probate and guardianship cases, including adversarial matters. Judicial assistant: Joan Gaither. Office 352-341-6713.
Official sourceGeneral Magistrate
Keith M. Schenck
The same order assigns him referred probate matters. He is not the judge assigned to the probate docket.
Official sourceLocal procedure
What local probate rules apply?
Since October 1, 2022, the Clerk has accepted an electronic death certificate through the e-filing portal and no longer requires the original for a probate case. The original will of a Citrus County resident still must be deposited with the Clerk within 10 days of death, and the Clerk says there is no fee to deposit a will. The Clerk’s probate page still describes summary administration with an older estate-value figure. Use Florida Statute § 735.201 for that test. The circuit has not published a Citrus proposed-order sheet like the Lake and Sumter pages.
Proposed-order checklist
- 1E-file the petition and supporting documents through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
- 2A death certificate may be filed as an electronic copy. The Clerk says the original is no longer required for the probate case.
- 3Deposit an original will with the Clerk within 10 days of death. The Clerk says that deposit has no filing fee.
- 4Follow Judge Spaight’s current instructions once the case is assigned. This draft does not restate a Citrus order-submission sheet because the circuit has not published one.
Are probate hearings remote?
Administrative Order C-2025-45-D assigns the probate cases. It does not set a countywide Zoom rule. The hearing notice controls whether an appearance is in Inverness or remote. Referred matters may go to General Magistrate Keith M. Schenck.
Can Lauren handle the case remotely?
Citrus filings, including the death certificate, can go through the e-portal. A hearing can still be at the Inverness courthouse. The notice is the source for the format.
Process overview
How does a Citrus 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 Citrus 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.
The Citrus Clerk’s fee page points to the statewide fee manual and does not list probate filing amounts. The figures above are the statutory charges in § 28.2401. Confirm the Clerk’s total before paying.
Clerk servicePosted fee
Formal or ancillary administration$399
Summary administration — estate under $1,000$234
Summary administration — estate $1,000 or more$344
Caveat$40
Disposition without administration$230
Straight answers
Citrus County probate FAQ
Where do I file probate in Citrus County?
File with the Citrus County Clerk at the courthouse, 110 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness. The counter is listed as open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding designated holidays. The main phone is 352-341-6424.
Who is the Citrus County probate judge?
Administrative Order C-2025-45-D, effective June 22, 2026, assigns probate cases, including adversarial probate, to Judge Edward C. Spaight. General Magistrate Keith M. Schenck hears referred probate matters.
Does the Clerk still require an original death certificate?
No. The Clerk says that, effective October 1, 2022, an electronic copy filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is enough. An original will is a different item and still must be deposited with the Clerk.
What estates qualify for Florida Summary Administration in Citrus 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 Citrus 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
- Citrus Clerk — Inverness courthouse
- Citrus Clerk — Meet Clerk Perry
- Citrus Clerk — Probate
- Administrative Order C-2025-45-D, Citrus judicial assignments for 2026
- Fifth Judicial Circuit — Citrus 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.