Sarasota elder-law and probate practice operating since 1983 across Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. Works with personal representatives through the Twelfth Judicial Circuit on inventory, creditor claims, homestead, and accountings, plus trust administration and guardianship. Ira Wiesner is a Florida Bar board-certified elder law specialist.
Probate in DeSoto County
Probate Court Record
DeSoto County Clerk of Circuit Court
DeSoto County · 12th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Office
115 East Oak Street, Room 101, Arcadia, FL 34266
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in DeSoto County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in DeSoto County? →Settling an estate in DeSoto County →
Probate Firms Serving DeSoto County
Sebring practice serving Highlands County and Florida's Heartland -- Sebring, Lake Placid, and Avon Park -- and, by its own account, the county's oldest law firm, established in 1940. Guides families through estate administration, from court acceptance of the will through liquidating liabilities and distributing assets to heirs, and handles guardianships and estate planning.
Brandon firm headquartered on E. Bloomingdale Avenue, with probate offices in Lakeland and New Port Richey serving Hillsborough, Polk, and Pasco counties. Handles formal, summary, and ancillary administration, homestead and creditor-claim issues, and personal-representative duties, plus will contests, removal petitions, and trust litigation. Brice Zoecklein is the managing attorney.
Gainesville firm handling probate in every Florida county on a flat fee, with an Ocala office and a fully remote administration process. Founding partner R. Nadine David advised Florida circuit court probate judges as a probate court staff attorney before entering private practice in 2014. Handles formal and summary administration, trust administration, and estate litigation.
Bradenton firm on State Road 70 East serving Manatee and Sarasota families, and accepting probate cases in any Florida county. Guides personal representatives and trustees through probate and trust administration, and handles estate planning, wills, trusts, and elder law as a National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys member. Rodney D. Gerling and Dana Laganella Gerling founded the firm in 2004.
Fort Lauderdale two-attorney firm in which both partners hold Florida Bar board certification: David Shulman in Wills, Trusts and Estates and Jill Ginsberg in Elder Law. Handles probate and trust administration for Broward and Palm Beach fiduciaries, plus guardianship — including emergency temporary guardianship — estate planning, and asset protection. Takes probate matters anywhere in Florida.
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Florida
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Last Will and Testament
In Florida, a will is signed before 2Fla. Stat. § 732.502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyFla. Stat. § 732.502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Florida
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Florida: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Florida.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Florida costs an estimated $30,600Fla. Stat. § 733.6171Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees on a statutory schedule presumed reasonableFla. Stat. § 733.6171Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Calculate Costs
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Florida: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysFla. Prob. R. 5.340; Fla. Stat. § 733.604Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsFla. Stat. §§ 733.2121, 733.702 (later of 3 months from first publication or 30 days from service on a served creditor), 733.703, 733.705, 733.707, 733.710Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Florida sets executor compensation on a statutory schedule that is presumed reasonable — about $15,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 3.0%Fla. Stat. § 733.617Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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Do I Need Probate?
Florida sets no dollar limit for its Disposition Without AdministrationFla. Stat. § 733.402 (bond — required by default: "Unless the bond requirement has been waived by the will or by the courtVerified Sep 8, 2026View source; eligibility turns on other tests.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Florida, creditors have 3 monthsFla. Stat. § 733.702Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
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