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 Manatee County
Probate Court Record
Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
Manatee County · 12th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Manatee County →
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Manatee County? →Settling an estate in Manatee County →
Probate Firms Serving Manatee County
Sarasota estate and trust firm on Main Street, practicing in Sarasota and Manatee counties since 1971. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, contested wills and trusts, inheritance disputes, guardianship, and Medicaid planning across Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch. R. Craig Harrison is board certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
Sarasota firm on Fruitville Road serving Sarasota and Manatee counties, including Bradenton. Teresa K. Bowman and Chrystal R. Koch guide personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries through probate and trust administration, from the initial filings and creditor notices to distribution and closing. Bowman is a Certified Elder Law Attorney credentialed by the National Elder Law Foundation.
Family-run Ocala firm with offices in Beverly Hills and The Villages, representing clients throughout Marion, Sumter, Citrus, and Lake counties. Handles estate administration and probate, estate planning, real estate, and business matters, with an affiliated title company for closings.
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.
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
Free Florida forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for 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.
Calculate the Fee
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.
Check the Rules
