Clerk Ad Interim
Joyce Boudoin
Appointed by Chief Judge Lisa Munyon and sworn in at 5:01 p.m. on August 31, 2026, after Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell left office.
Official sourceStaff review draft · Not indexed
Florida Probate Guide · Ninth Judicial Circuit
Orange County Probate Court Guide2026 EDITION
Orange County probate is filed with the Clerk at the Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando. Judge Mark S. Blechman handles probate, guardianship, and mental health there, listed as Division 5, subdivision 01. Joyce Boudoin is serving as Clerk Ad Interim.
Court details last reviewed October 29, 2026
Court information
Where is probate filed in Orange County?
Probate filings go through the county Clerk of Court and are assigned within the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Check the Clerk’s current instructions before mailing documents or visiting in person.
Check the official court sourceOrange County Courthouse
- Address
- 425 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 335, Orlando, FL 32801
- Public counter hours
- Office hours Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Phone hours Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Probate contact
- 407-836-2057
Current assignments
Who handles probate matters in Orange County?
Judicial assignments and staff contacts can change. These names were checked against official court sources on October 29, 2026.
Probate Judge — Division 5, subdivision 01
Hon. Mark S. Blechman
The directory lists Division 5, subdivision 01, at the Orange County Courthouse, Courtroom 19-C. His procedures call the assignment Division 1. Judicial assistant: Terry Marino. 407-836-2100. 1orange@ninthcircuit.org.
Official sourceLocal procedure
What local probate rules apply?
The Ninth Circuit publishes checklists for summary administration, opening and closing formal administration, and homestead. Judge Blechman’s April 16, 2026 procedures govern Division 1 only. Other Ninth Circuit probate judges sit at the Thomas S. Kirk Justice Center in Osceola County and are not the Orange assignment.
Proposed-order checklist
- 1E-file the petition and supporting documents with the Orange County Clerk.
- 2Use the Ninth Circuit checklists for summary administration, formal administration, and homestead when they apply.
- 3For Division 1, email 1orange@ninthcircuit.org. The subject line must include the case number and case name, and every party must be copied.
- 4For a short uncontested matter of 10 minutes or less with no evidence, email the petition, cover letter, and proposed order before setting a hearing. Many of those matters are reviewed in chambers.
- 5If a short-matter hearing is required, it is set for Tuesday or Thursday at 9:30 a.m. on WebEx. Email the motion, the notice with the video link, and a Word proposed order at least three business days ahead, and no more than ten business days ahead.
Are probate hearings remote?
In Judge Blechman’s Division 1, short matters that are set for hearing are held by WebEx on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. A hearing is not held if the courtesy copies are late. Longer or evidentiary settings follow the same procedures PDF. This schedule is not the rule for every judge in the Ninth Circuit.
Can Lauren handle the case remotely?
Orange County probate filings are electronic. In Division 1, short hearings that are actually set are by WebEx, and some uncontested matters never need a hearing. An evidentiary or longer hearing can still require a trip to the Orlando courthouse.
Process overview
How does a Orange 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 Ninth 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 Orange 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 amounts are from the Orange County Clerk’s probate filing-fee table. Confirm the total before filing. The table also lists inventory, accounting, and reopen charges.
Clerk servicePosted fee
Formal or ancillary formal administration, curatorship, conservatorship, or guardianship of property$400
Summary administration — estate $1,000 or less$235
Summary administration — estate greater than $1,000, and ancillary summary administration$345
Caveat or notice of trust$41
Disposition of personal property without administration$231
Straight answers
Orange County probate FAQ
Where do I file probate in Orange County?
File with the Orange County Clerk at the Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 335, Orlando. The probate phone is 407-836-2057. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone hours end at noon.
Who is the Orange County Clerk?
Joyce Boudoin is Clerk Ad Interim. Chief Judge Lisa Munyon appointed her when Tiffany Moore Russell left office, and she was sworn in on August 31, 2026.
Who is the probate judge at the Orlando courthouse?
The Ninth Circuit lists Judge Mark S. Blechman for probate, guardianship, and mental health at the Orange County Courthouse, Courtroom 19-C. His procedures were updated April 16, 2026.
Do I need a lawyer for an Orange County probate?
The Clerk says most probate matters require an attorney. The Clerk also says an attorney is not required for summary administration or disposition without administration.
What estates qualify for Florida Summary Administration in Orange 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 Orange 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
- Orange County Clerk — Contact Probate Division
- Orange County Clerk — probate filing fees
- Orange County Clerk — Meet the Clerk
- Ninth Judicial Circuit — Probate, Guardianship, and Mental Health
- Judge Mark S. Blechman probate procedures, updated April 16, 2026
- 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.