Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Calhoun County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Florida uses a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for probate attorneys — the percentages are a starting point that can be negotiated, especially for simple estates. Calhoun County firms typically follow the schedule for routine work and negotiate on complex matters.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Clerk of Circuit Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Solo PracticeTallahassee, FL
Since 1993 · Serves 7 counties
Tallahassee solo practice serving Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla, Liberty, Gadsden, Franklin, and Calhoun counties. Claire A. Duchemin guides personal representatives and trustees through formal and summary administration, and litigates wrongful will and trust changes and fiduciary failures. More than 45 years in practice.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationTrust LitigationProbate Administration
- Office
- 1615 Village Square Blvd, Suite 7Tallahassee, FL 32309
Solo PracticeChipley, FL
Since 2014 · Serves 5 counties
Chipley solo practice serving Washington, Holmes, Calhoun, Jackson, and Bay counties in the rural Panhandle. Handles formal, summary, and ancillary probate, wills and trusts, lady bird deeds, and real estate and family law matters. James W. Batton started the firm in 2014.
PracticesEstate PlanningSpecial Needs PlanningProbate AdministrationReal Estate LitigationWills Trusts
- Office
- 680 Brown StreetChipley, FL 32428
Solo PracticePanama City, FL
Serves 4 counties
Boutique tax and estate practice in Panama City serving Bay County and the surrounding Northwest Florida panhandle. Advises executors and trustees on their fiduciary duties, defends estate tax and valuation audits, and handles estate and gift tax planning, business succession, and special needs planning. Laura C. Pyne is also a CPA and worked at KPMG and PwC.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningSpecial Needs Planningand 4 more
- Office
- 2309 Frankford Avenue, Suite APanama City, FL 32405
FirmPanama City, FL
Since 1985 · Serves 7 counties
Panama City firm founded in 1985 serving Bay County and the surrounding rural panhandle -- Gulf, Calhoun, Washington, Holmes, Jackson, and Walton counties. Handles elder law, estate planning, and probate alongside personal injury and civil litigation. Pamela Dru Sutton has practiced 30+ years with Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer-review rating.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawCivil LitigationProbate Administration
- Office
- 837 Grace AvenuePanama City, FL 32401
FirmGainesville, FL
Since 2014 · Serves the whole state
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust LitigationProbate Administration
- Office
- 201 SE 2nd Ave, Suite 210Gainesville, FL 32601
FirmBradenton, FL
Since 2004 · Serves the whole state
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 6148 State Road 70 EBradenton, FL 34203
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
