IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR Bay COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
File No. 26-509-CP
IN RE: Estate of Cecil Rhett Ward, Jr.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Cecil Rhett Ward, Jr., deceased, whose date of death was November 4, 2025, ispending in the Circuit Court for Bay County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 300 East 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228 applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor or a beneficiary as specified under s. 732.2211. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.
The date of first publication of this notice is May 13, 2026.
Attorney for Personal Representative:
Sarah R. Hess, Esq.
Law Office of Brian D. Hess
P.O. Box 9454
Panama City Beach, FL 32417
FL Bar No.: 30375
Phone 850-235-3004
Fax 850-235-1124
Primary Email: sarah@pcblaw.net
Second Email: lisa@pcblaw.net
Personal Representative:
Lillian Johnson Ward
118 Fielding Ridge
Peachtree City, GA 30269
May 13, 20 2026
LSAR0516240
