Between Tampa and Orlando, Polk is where many Tampa Bay families’ parents retired — Lakeland, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Haines City. We buy inherited houses throughout the county; the probate runs through the Tenth Circuit in Bartow with attorneys who practice there.
Probate in Polk County: the court and the clerk
- Court: Circuit Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, Polk County
- Clerk: Polk County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller
- Courthouse for probate: Polk County Courthouse, 255 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830 (original wills are deposited in Bartow only)
- Probate department phone: (863) 534-4000
Original wills must be deposited at the Bartow courthouse (not the Lakeland or Lake Alfred offices); probate is e-filable through the statewide portal and the Clerk posts fillable disposition and claim forms. The attorney handles the filings (through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal); you never have to appear in person for an ordinary estate.
Look up the house and the taxes
- Polk County Property Appraiser — search the address to see the owner of record, the last deed, and whether a homestead exemption was in place.
- Polk County Tax Collector — check for unpaid property taxes and tax certificates. Unpaid taxes become tax certificates, and certificate holders can apply for a tax deed sale about two years later — the one clock that doesn’t wait for probate.
We run both of these checks for every family who calls, at no charge, and explain what we find.
Short version: if you want the house sold, we pay for the probate and get the attorney working within 24 hours — call or text (727) 353-6206, or use the form.
Inherited houses in Polk County
Polk estates frequently involve older frame and block houses in Lakeland and Winter Haven, citrus-country homesteads on larger lots, and newer houses in Davenport and Poinciana bought by out-of-state owners. Back taxes and code liens are common on houses that have sat vacant; Polk’s tax-certificate and tax-deed process moves on its own schedule regardless of the estate.
Where we buy in Polk County
Lakeland, Winter Haven, Haines City, Bartow, Lake Wales, Auburndale, Davenport, Lake Alfred, Mulberry, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Polk City, Dundee, Poinciana, Lakeland Highlands, and every neighborhood between.
How it works here
- Call, text, or send the address. Alex calls you back the same day.
- A short walkthrough — with you, a relative, a neighbor, or a lockbox.
- A written cash offer with the math, usually within 24 hours.
- Within 24 hours of signing, a Florida probate attorney who represents the estate is engaged and working on the Polk County probate. We pay the attorney, the filing fees, and the publication.
- Close when the court authorizes the sale — remotely, with a mobile notary, and your proceeds wired the same day.
Own only a share of the house? We buy partial heir interests in Polk County too.
Questions people ask
Where is probate filed in Polk County?
In the circuit court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, through the Polk County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller. The probate department can be reached at (863) 534-4000. If the person who died lived in Polk County, probate is filed here; if they lived elsewhere but owned a house here, an ancillary administration is filed in Polk County.
How long does probate take in Polk County?
In the Tenth Judicial Circuit (Polk County), summary administration commonly takes one to three months and formal administration six to twelve months, depending on the judge’s calendar and how quickly heirs sign. With us, the estate’s attorney is engaged within 24 hours of your signed agreement and your sale price is locked in from day one. See how long Florida probate takes.
Do you buy inherited houses in Winter Haven and Haines City?
Yes — we buy throughout Polk County, including Lakeland, Winter Haven, Haines City, Bartow, Lake Wales, Auburndale, Davenport, Lake Alfred, Mulberry, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Polk City, Dundee, Poinciana, Lakeland Highlands. Single-family houses, duplexes and small multifamily in any condition; not condos or mobile homes.
How do I find out who owns my relative’s house in Polk County?
Search the address on the Polk County Property Appraiser website. It shows the owner of record and usually links to the last recorded deed, which tells you whether the house was in your relative’s name alone, held jointly, or in a trust. Check the Polk County Tax Collector for unpaid taxes.