Clerk of Court
Kevin C. Karnes
Name is from the Clerk’s website as archived January 8, 2026. The live site could not be re-read on October 29, 2026.
Official sourceStaff review draft · Not indexed
Florida Probate Guide · Twentieth Judicial Circuit
Lee County Probate Court Guide2026 EDITION
Lee County court business is handled at the Lee County Justice Center in Fort Myers. The Clerk lists a public office there and publishes a call-center number. This draft does not name a probate judge because the circuit page reviewed did not assign one.
Court details last reviewed October 29, 2026
Court information
Where is probate filed in Lee County?
Probate filings go through the county Clerk of Court and are assigned within the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. Check the Clerk’s current instructions before mailing documents or visiting in person.
Check the official court sourceLee County Justice Center
- Address
- 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 339011st and 2nd floors
- Public counter hours
- Call center Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Lobby open until 5:00 p.m. Closed on observed holidays.
- Probate contact
- 239-533-5000
Current assignments
Who handles probate matters in Lee County?
Judicial assignments and staff contacts can change. These names were checked against official court sources on October 29, 2026.
Local procedure
What local probate rules apply?
The Clerk’s archived contact page lists the Justice Center at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard as a public office, with a call center at 239-533-5000. The Twentieth Circuit also describes entrances at 1700 Monroe Street and at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. A probate judge is not named here because the circuit materials reviewed did not make that assignment. Check the hearing notice and the circuit’s judge list before relying on a name.
Proposed-order checklist
- 1E-file the petition and supporting documents through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
- 2Call the Clerk at 239-533-5000 if the filing needs a counter visit at the Justice Center.
- 3Read the assigned judge’s procedures once the case is assigned. This draft does not restate a division checklist.
- 4Confirm whether the event is at the Monroe Street entrance or the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard entrance before going to the complex.
Are probate hearings remote?
The pages reviewed do not state a Lee County probate-wide Zoom rule. The hearing notice controls whether an appearance is remote or at the Justice Center.
Can Lauren handle the case remotely?
Lee County filings can be submitted electronically. The Justice Center complex has more than one public entrance, so a remote hearing should not be confused with a trip to the wrong door. The notice is the source for the format.
Process overview
How does a Lee 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 Twentieth 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 Lee 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 schedule was not available when the page was checked, and a posted schedule can differ by a small amount. 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
Lee County probate FAQ
Where do I file probate in Lee County?
The Clerk lists the Lee County Justice Center at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fort Myers, on the first and second floors. The call center is 239-533-5000, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and the lobby stays open until 5:00 p.m.
Who is the Lee County Clerk?
The Clerk’s site, as archived January 8, 2026, identifies Kevin C. Karnes. The live site could not be opened on October 29, 2026, so the name should be confirmed before publication.
Which entrance do I use at the Fort Myers courthouse?
The Twentieth Circuit lists an east entrance at 1700 Monroe Street and a south entrance at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Clerk’s office list uses the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard address for the Justice Center.
What estates qualify for Florida Summary Administration in Lee 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 Lee 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
- Lee Clerk — contact information and hours, archived January 8, 2026
- Lee Clerk — from the desk of Clerk Karnes, archived January 8, 2026
- Twentieth Judicial Circuit — Lee County Justice Center
- 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.