Clerk of Court
Doug Chorvat, Jr.
Main office line 352-754-4201. The probate page gives 352-540-6366 for further questions.
Official sourceStaff review draft · Not indexed
Florida Probate Guide · Fifth Judicial Circuit
Hernando County Probate Court Guide2026 EDITION
Hernando County probate is handled by the Clerk at the courthouse in Brooksville. Administrative Order H-2025-56-C, effective June 22, 2026, assigns all probate cases to Circuit Judge Don Barbee Jr. The Clerk’s probate page does not post a filing-fee table.
Court details last reviewed October 29, 2026
Court information
Where is probate filed in Hernando 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 sourceHernando County Courthouse
- Address
- 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, FL 34601Room 165
- Public counter hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Probate contact
- 352-540-6366
Current assignments
Who handles probate matters in Hernando County?
Judicial assignments and staff contacts can change. These names were checked against official court sources on October 29, 2026.
Probate Judge
Hon. Don Barbee Jr.
The 2026 caseload order assigns him all probate cases. Judicial assistant listed on the circuit directory: Jamie Shreiber. Office 352-540-6655.
Official sourceLocal procedure
What local probate rules apply?
The Clerk’s probate page tells people to call 352-540-6366 or visit Room 165. It also describes a small-estate letter with the Clerk’s own asset description. This guide does not use that description as the test for summary administration. Use Florida Statute § 735.201. The circuit has not published a Hernando proposed-order sheet.
Proposed-order checklist
- 1E-file the petition and supporting documents through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
- 2For an in-person question, the Clerk’s probate page says to call 352-540-6366 or visit Room 165.
- 3Follow Judge Barbee’s current instructions for proposed orders. This draft does not restate a division checklist because the circuit has not published one for Hernando probate.
Are probate hearings remote?
Administrative Order H-2025-56-C assigns the probate cases. It does not set a Zoom rule for those cases. The hearing notice controls whether an appearance is in Brooksville or remote.
Can Lauren handle the case remotely?
Hernando probate papers can be e-filed. The Clerk still lists Room 165 at the Brooksville courthouse for in-person probate business. The hearing notice decides the format.
Process overview
How does a Hernando 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 Hernando 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.
These figures combine the filing fees in Florida Statutes § 28.2401 with the additional $4 service charge that subsection (3) adds to formal, ancillary, and summary administration. A caveat is $40, and disposition without administration is $230. This clerk’s own probate schedule was not available when the page was checked. Confirm the total before filing.
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
Hernando County probate FAQ
Where do I file probate in Hernando County?
The Clerk’s main office is 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The probate page says to call 352-540-6366 or visit Room 165. The main line is 352-754-4201.
Who is the Hernando County probate judge?
Administrative Order H-2025-56-C, effective June 22, 2026, assigns all probate cases to Judge Don Barbee Jr. His judicial assistant on the circuit directory is Jamie Shreiber.
What estates qualify for Florida Summary Administration in Hernando 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 Hernando 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
- Hernando Clerk — Probate and Guardianship
- Hernando Clerk — Meet Doug Chorvat, Jr.
- Hernando Clerk — contact and hours
- Administrative Order H-2025-56-C, Hernando caseload assignment for 2026
- Fifth Judicial Circuit — Hernando 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.