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Legal ServicesElder Law✓ Verified
Chipley, Washington County
Last verified: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Washington County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Probate & Guardianship Division (Hon. Lora C. Bell — with North Florida Office of Public Guardian, Inc.)
About This Organization

Constitutional statutory office of the Hon. Lora C. Bell, Washington County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, headquartered at the Washington County Courthouse (1293 Jackson Avenue, Building 100, P.O. Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428; Main (850) 638-6285, Estates & Guardianships Division (850) 638-6008) in Florida's 14th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk's Probate & Guardianship Division dockets all formal and summary probate administrations, small estate dispositions without administration, safekeeping of original wills, incapacity and emergency temporary guardianship petitions, annual guardian plans and financial accountings audited by the Clerk's Inspector General unit, and Adult Protective Services / Baker Act / Marchman Act filings. Paired with the state-appointed 14th Judicial Circuit public guardian, North Florida Office of Public Guardian, Inc. (Florida Sunbiz Doc# N03000000947, FEI/EIN 16-1652866, 801 Jenks Avenue, Suite B, Panama City, FL 32401, (850) 487-4609 ext. 104 / Tallahassee Main (850) 487-4609, Executive Director Karen P. Campbell), appointed by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG) under Chapter 744, Part IX, Florida Statutes, to serve incapacitated indigent seniors in Washington County who lack willing or qualified family members to serve as guardian.

Official Verification Sources: Washington County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Official Portal; North Florida Office of Public Guardian, Inc. — 2nd & 14th Judicial Circuits; Florida Sunbiz Entity — North Florida Office of Public Guardian, Inc. (#N03000000947)

Verified State & Regulatory Credentials
Florida Constitutional Clerk of Circuit Court (14th Circuit) & DOEA OPPG Public Guardian: Hon. Lora C. Bell (14th Judicial Circuit — Washington County) | North Florida Office of Public Guardian, Inc. (Sunbiz Doc# N03000000947, EIN 16-1652866)Status: Active Constitutional Court Officer & Statutory 14th Circuit Public Guardian

Issuer: State of Florida (Art. V, § 16, Fla. Const.) & DOEA Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG)

Notes: Hon. Lora C. Bell serves at the Washington County Courthouse, 1293 Jackson Ave, Bldg 100, Chipley, FL 32428 ((850) 638-6285; Estates & Guardianships (850) 638-6008). North Florida Office of Public Guardian, Inc. (Sunbiz Doc# N03000000947, EIN 16-1652866, 801 Jenks Ave, Ste B, Panama City, FL 32401, (850) 487-4609 ext. 104, https://www.northfloridaopg.org, Executive Director Karen P. Campbell) is the statutory public guardian for the 2nd and 14th Judicial Circuits, including Washington County.

Services Offered
Formal & Summary Probate Estate Docketing, Will Safekeeping & Small Estate Dispositions ((850) 638-6008)
14th Judicial Circuit Adult Guardianship Filings, Annual Accounting Audits & Guardianship Fraud Reporting
Statutory Public Guardianship for Indigent Incapacitated Seniors via North Florida OPG ((850) 487-4609 ext. 104)
Official Land Records Recording for Enhanced Life Estate (Lady Bird) Deeds, Trusts & Powers of Attorney
Risk Protection, Baker Act, Marchman Act & Vulnerable Adult Exploitation Injunction Filings
Public Court Records Access, Marriage & Domestic Registry Services & Tax Deed Overbid Administration
Frequently Asked Questions

Factual details and direct answers about Washington County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Probate & Guardianship Division (Hon. Lora C. Bell — with North Florida Office of Public Guardian, Inc.)'s services, licensing, and credentials.

Where do families file probate wills, small estate dispositions, or adult guardianship petitions in Washington County?

All probate and adult guardianship matters in Washington County are filed with the Hon. Lora C. Bell, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, in the Estates & Guardianships Division at the Washington County Courthouse, 1293 Jackson Avenue, Building 100, Chipley, FL 32428 ((850) 638-6008 / Main (850) 638-6285), open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Who serves as the court-appointed Public Guardian for incapacitated low-income seniors in Washington County?

The North Florida Office of Public Guardian, Inc. (Sunbiz Doc# N03000000947, EIN 16-1652866), with its 14th Judicial Circuit office at 801 Jenks Avenue, Suite B, Panama City, FL 32401 ((850) 487-4609 ext. 104), is designated by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG) to serve incapacitated adults of limited financial means in Washington County who have no family or friends able to serve.

Contact Information
Address
1293 Jackson Ave, Bldg 100, Chipley, FL 32428
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm (Estates & Guardianships Direct: (850) 638-6008; North Florida OPG: (850) 487-4609 ext. 104)
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Disclaimer: This directory listing is for informational purposes only. Florida Senior Support does not endorse or guarantee the quality of services. Please verify information and services directly with the organization.