Union County probate court records cover every will, estate, guardianship, and trust matter filed in Lake Butler, Florida. The Clerk of Circuit Court keeps these records for the 8th Judicial Circuit.
Anyone can look at most of these records in person, by mail, or through the clerk’s website. This page explains how the records work, who can see them, and what fees apply in 2026.
What Are Union County Probate Court Records
Probate court records are the paper trail a court creates when it handles the property and debts of a person who has died. They also include records for people who cannot manage their own affairs. Each file in Union County holds petitions, orders, inventories, and final decrees. These files stay with the Clerk of Court in Lake Butler.
Types of Probate Cases Filed
Union County handles four main kinds of probate cases. The first is formal administration, which covers larger estates. The second is summary administration, used for smaller estates. The third is disposition without administration, used when only final bills need paying. The fourth is ancillary administration, which covers Florida property owned by someone who lived in another state.
Who Files These Records
Family members, heirs, creditors, and attorneys start probate cases. A personal representative named in a will files first. If there is no will, a close relative asks the court to appoint a personal representative. The clerk then opens a case number and stores every later filing under that number.
Where Records Are Stored
All Union County probate files stay in the clerk’s office at 55 W Main St, Lake Butler, FL 32054. Older files may sit in the courthouse vault. Newer files stay in the clerk’s digital case management system. Paper files can be pulled at the counter during business hours.
Union County Clerk of Circuit Court
The Clerk of Circuit Court is the main record keeper for Union County. The current clerk is Cathy Pendarvis. Her office runs the probate, civil, criminal, and family court records for the county. The clerk also collects filing fees, issues certified copies, and processes mail requests.
Office Location and Hours
The clerk’s office sits on the main square in Lake Butler, the only city of size in Union County. The front counter opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on state and federal holidays. The mailing address matches the physical address.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Cathy Pendarvis |
| Address | 55 W Main St, Lake Butler, FL 32054 |
| Phone | (386) 496-3711 |
| Website | www.unionclerk.com |
| Office Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Contact Details for the Clerk
You can reach the clerk’s office by phone at (386) 496-3711. The office accepts fax requests for some filings. Email contact appears on the clerk’s website. For mail requests, send letters to the Lake Butler address with a self-addressed stamped envelope and any required fees.
The 8th Judicial Circuit
Union County sits inside the 8th Judicial Circuit of Florida. This circuit also covers Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, and Levy counties. The chief judge of the circuit oversees all probate cases. Self-help resources for the circuit appear at www.jud8.flcourts.org.
How to Search Probate Records
Most Union County probate records are public. You can look at case dockets, orders, and final decrees. Inventories and accountings are private. The clerk’s office offers three ways to search: in person, online, and by mail.
In-Person Record Searches
Walk into the clerk’s office at 55 W Main St, Lake Butler, during business hours. Tell the counter clerk the full name of the person whose estate you want to find. If you have a case number, that helps narrow the search. The clerk will pull the file and let you read it at the counter. You can take notes or ask for copies.
Online Record Search Tools
The clerk’s website at www.unionclerk.com has a public records search tool. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. The online system shows docket entries, hearing dates, and document types. Full document images are not always online, but the index shows what each file contains.
Mail and Phone Record Requests
For mail requests, send a written note to the clerk’s office. Include the name of the deceased, the date of death if known, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Add a check or money order for copy fees. The clerk will mail back copies or tell you the exact fee. Phone requests work for simple questions but not for full file copies.
Copy Fees and Certification
Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $2 per page plus a $1 certification fee. Each certified page gets the clerk’s seal. Payment by mail can be a check or money order made out to the Clerk of Court. In-person payments can be cash, check, or card.
Types of Probate Proceedings
Florida law lists four main probate paths. The right one depends on the size of the estate, the date of death, and where the deceased lived. Union County courts follow the same rules as every other Florida county.
Formal Administration
Formal administration is the full court process. It applies to estates worth more than $75,000 or estates that need a personal representative. Chapter 733 of the Florida Statutes covers this path. The court appoints a personal representative, who gathers assets, pays debts, and distributes what remains.
Summary Administration
Summary administration is faster and cheaper. It applies to estates worth $75,000 or less, or to any estate where the person died more than two years ago. Chapter 735 of the Florida Statutes covers this path. The court issues a direct order to the beneficiaries without appointing a personal representative.
Disposition Without Administration
This path skips the court almost entirely. It applies when the only property left belongs to the deceased and the total value is $6,000 or less. A signed statement from the spouse or heirs lets them claim the property to pay funeral bills, medical costs, or small final debts.
Ancillary Administration
Ancillary administration applies when someone who lived in another state dies owning real property in Florida. The main probate case runs in the home state. A second Florida case in Union County handles the local property. The Florida personal representative works with the out-of-state representative.
Death Records and Probate in Union County
Death records play a key role in every probate case. The clerk cannot open a formal or summary case without proof of death. Florida death certificates serve as the main proof. The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, keeps statewide death records from 2009 to present.
Florida Death Certificate Role
A Florida death certificate is the legal proof that a person has died. Probate courts ask for a certified copy when opening a case. The certificate shows the date, place, and cause of death. It also lists the funeral director and the attending physician or medical examiner.
How Death Records Connect to Probate
When a Union County resident dies, the family orders death certificates right away. Funeral homes in Florida help with the first certified copies. Banks, insurance companies, and the probate court all ask for certified copies. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps the master file for deaths in Florida from 2009 forward.
Requesting Death Records for Probate
Eligible family members can order a certified Florida death certificate through the Bureau of Vital Statistics, the local county health department, or VitalChek. Pre-2009 death records sit with the Florida State Archives. The Bureau of Vital Statistics office sits at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone support runs at (904) 359-6900.
Filing Fees and Costs
Filing fees in Union County match the Florida statewide probate fee schedule. Fees change from year to year. The clerk’s office can give the current fee total before you file. Most fees cover the cost of court staff, record storage, and certified mailings.
Probate Filing Fee Schedule
Formal administration petitions cost around $235 for estates under $50,000. Larger estates pay more. Summary administration petitions cost about $235. Disposition without administration often has no filing fee. Ancillary administration costs match the formal administration fee plus extra steps for out-of-state notices.
| Service | Current Cost |
|---|---|
| Formal Administration Petition | Around $235 (may vary) |
| Summary Administration Petition | Around $235 (may vary) |
| Disposition Without Administration | No filing fee in most cases |
| Ancillary Administration | Around $235 plus extras |
| Standard Page Copy | $1 per page |
| Certified Page Copy | $2 per page + $1 seal fee |
Certified Copy Costs
Each certified copy of a court document costs $2 per page plus a $1 seal fee. Letters of administration, also called letters testamentary, often run 1 to 2 pages. Order extra certified copies if banks or insurance companies need their own set. The clerk stamps and seals each certified page.
Attorney and Representative Fees
Attorney fees in formal administration follow Section 733.6171 of the Florida Statutes. The fee rises with the estate value. Personal representatives may also receive a fee set by the court. In summary administration, attorney fees are usually lower because the case is shorter.
The Probate Process Steps
Florida probate follows a clear order. The exact steps depend on which type of administration applies. Union County courts follow the same path as every other Florida county. Most estates close within 6 to 12 months in formal administration. Summary administration can close in 2 to 4 months.
Filing the Will With the Court
Anyone who has the original will of a deceased Union County resident must file it with the clerk within 10 days of learning about the death. Section 732.901 of the Florida Statutes covers this duty. Filing the will does not open a probate case. It only protects the document.
Opening a New Probate Case
To open a case, a petitioner files a petition with the clerk. The petition names the deceased, lists heirs, and asks for either formal or summary administration. The court reviews the petition and signs an order. The clerk then issues letters of administration in formal cases.
Notifying Creditors
The personal representative must tell known creditors about the probate case. Florida law also requires a published notice. Creditors have a set time window to file claims. Valid claims get paid from estate assets before any distribution to heirs.
Distributing Estate Assets
After debts are paid, the personal representative prepares a final accounting. The court reviews the accounting. Once approved, the personal representative distributes the remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries named in the will or set by Florida law when no will exists.
Records Access and Privacy Rules
Florida probate law balances public access with personal privacy. Most filings are open to the public. Some documents stay sealed. Knowing the difference helps anyone doing research or working on a case.
Public Records
Most probate filings are public. Anyone can look at petitions, orders, final decrees, and wills after they go through probate. Public access supports genealogy research, legal due diligence, and journalism. The clerk’s office does not charge a fee to look at files in person.
Sealed and Confidential Records
Inventories and accountings stay sealed in most Florida probate cases. Mental health records linked to guardianship also stay sealed. Judges can seal other documents for good cause. Sealed records can only be opened by court order.
Legal Resources and Help
Union County residents can tap into several legal help resources. The 8th Judicial Circuit runs a self-help program. The Florida Bar offers a lawyer referral service. Legal aid groups serve low-income families across the circuit.
Self-Help Centers in Florida
The Florida Courts self-help center at www.floridacourts.gov offers forms, fact sheets, and live chat. The 8th Circuit self-help page at www.jud8.flcourts.org links to local forms and court rules. Self-help staff cannot give legal advice but can explain court steps.
Legal Aid for Residents
Three Rivers Legal Services provides free civil legal aid to low-income residents in Union County. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 342-8011 can match you with a paid attorney for a small fee. Some law schools also run clinics that help with basic probate questions.
Finding a Probate Attorney
For most formal administration cases, hiring a probate attorney is a smart move. The Florida Bar maintains a directory of attorneys by county and practice area. Many Union County attorneys also serve Bradford, Alachua, and Columbia counties. Ask about flat fees for summary administration.
Nearby County Probate Courts
Union County borders several other Florida counties. If a probate case involves property in a nearby county, the heirs may need to file in that county too. The clerks of court in these counties follow the same Florida probate statutes but charge their own fee schedules.
- Bradford County Clerk of Court – Starke, FL
- Alachua County Clerk of Court – Gainesville, FL
- Columbia County Clerk of Court – Lake City, FL
- Baker County Clerk of Court – Macclenny, FL
Each of these clerks can help with searches for probate records tied to that county. The Florida Courts statewide clerk directory at www.floridacourts.gov lists every county clerk with full contact details.
Official Contact Details
For direct help with Union County probate court records, contact the clerk’s office using the details below. The office handles in-person visits, mail requests, and phone questions during normal business hours. For death certificate orders tied to probate cases, contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
Union County Clerk of Circuit Court
55 W Main St, Lake Butler, FL 32054
Phone: (386) 496-3711
Website: www.unionclerk.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common probate record requests in Union County. They cover searches, fees, death records, and case timelines. Each answer pulls from Florida statutes and current clerk office practice as of 2026.
Can Anyone Look at Probate Records in Union County?
Yes. Most Union County probate records are public. Anyone can visit the clerk’s office at 55 W Main St, Lake Butler, and look at case files during business hours. Inventories, accountings, and some mental health records stay sealed under Florida law. The clerk’s online portal at www.unionclerk.com also shows docket entries for open cases.
How Long Does Probate Take in Union County?
Formal administration usually takes 6 to 12 months from filing to closing. Summary administration can finish in 2 to 4 months. Disposition without administration often takes only a few weeks. Delays happen when heirs cannot be found, creditors file claims, or the will is contested. The judge sets hearing dates once the petition is filed.
What if the Deceased Owned Property in Another State?
Florida only handles property located in Florida. If the deceased lived in another state, that state handles the main probate case. Union County would only need an ancillary case if the deceased owned real property here. The ancillary case follows Chapter 734 of the Florida Statutes and uses the same clerk’s office.
How Do I Order a Death Certificate for a Probate Case?
Order a certified Florida death certificate through the Bureau of Vital Statistics, the county health department, or VitalChek. Eligible family members can order by mail, online, or in person at the Jacksonville office at 1217 Pearl Street. Pre-2009 death records sit with the Florida State Archives. Funeral homes can order the first certified copies for the family.
Do I Need an Attorney to Open a Probate Case?
For summary administration in Florida, an attorney is not always required, but it is smart. For formal administration, Florida law requires an attorney unless the personal representative is the only beneficiary. Heirs can pick an attorney from the Florida Bar directory or call the Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 342-8011.
What Happens if There Is No Will?
Florida’s intestate succession laws decide who gets the estate. The surviving spouse and children take priority. If there is no spouse or children, the estate goes to parents, siblings, or more distant relatives. The court appoints a personal representative from the closest living relative. The same probate paths apply, but the heirs follow state law instead of the will.
Can Probate Records Be Corrected After the Case Closes?
Yes. Errors in probate records can be fixed with a petition to the court. Common fixes include name changes, date corrections, and signature updates. The clerk’s office has correction forms. For a death certificate tied to the probate case, the Florida Department of Health handles amendments through a separate affidavit process.