Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Clay 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. Clay 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 PracticeJacksonville, FL
Since 1966 · Serves 15 counties
Jacksonville firm handling estate administration for families across northeast Florida, from Duval and Clay through Marion and Suwannee counties. Opens probate estates, investigates creditor claims, addresses estate and income taxes, and distributes assets to heirs; also drafts wills, trusts, and advance directives. Robert W. Elrod, Jr. continues a practice his father started in 1966.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 233 East Bay Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1032Jacksonville, FL 32202
FirmSt. Augustine, FL
Serves 4 counties
St. Augustine firm on A1A Beach Boulevard with a second office in Jacksonville, handling St. Johns and Duval County probate and trust administration. Guides personal representatives through formal administration and small-estate dispositions, and pairs that with estate planning, elder law, and tax work. Jonathan P. Hermes is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax PlanningProbate Administration
- Office
- 460 A1A Beach BlvdSt. Augustine, FL 32080
Solo PracticeSt. Augustine, FL
Serves 4 counties
St. Augustine solo practice serving St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, and Clay counties. Handles estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, and sealing and expungement. Brittany Fraser Keith is a St. Augustine native and offers consultations of up to an hour at no charge.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationSealing ExpungementWills Trusts
- Office
- 1510 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite BSt. Augustine, FL 32084
FirmJacksonville, FL
Since 2008 · Serves 6 counties
Jacksonville firm serving Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, and Baker counties, with a satellite office in Ponte Vedra Beach. Handles formal and summary probate administration, probate and trust litigation, guardianship, elder law and Medicaid crisis planning, and asset protection trusts. Practicing as this firm since 2008.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 4115 Hendricks AvenueJacksonville, FL 32207
Solo PracticeJacksonville, FL
Since 2007 · Serves 4 counties
Jacksonville solo practice serving Duval, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. Ella Lim (Hae Kyung Lim) established the office in 2007 and handles estate planning, probate, guardianship, and business law. Concierge approach: the attorney travels to the client, with video conferencing also available.
PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- P.O. Box 350911Jacksonville, FL 32235
FirmJacksonville, FL
Since 2001 · Serves 3 counties
Jacksonville firm serving Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties since 2001, and representing out-of-state families who have a Florida estate or probate matter. Attorneys Katherine Schnauss Naugle and Ellen Ball handle probate and estate administration, guardianship, and elder law, and represent estate beneficiaries during probate and trust administration.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipProbate Administration
- Office
- 810 Margaret St.Jacksonville, FL 32204
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.
