Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Columbia 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. Columbia 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 PracticeGainesville, FL
Since 1927 · Serves 11 counties
Gainesville firm founded in 1927 by E.G. Baxter and E.A. Clayton, one of the oldest continuously operated law firms in Florida. Handles estate administration, probate, trust administration, and asset-protection and charitable trusts for families across eleven north-central Florida counties, from Alachua and Marion to Lafayette, Dixie, and Putnam.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningGuardianshipand 3 more
- Office
- 18 NW 33rd CourtGainesville, FL 32607
FirmLake City, FL
Serves 3 counties
Lake City firm in the historic Ogden House, serving Columbia and Suwannee counties and North Florida through Jacksonville. Seven attorneys carry probate and trust administration from opening through final distribution, and also handle guardianship administration for court-appointed guardians and nursing-home Medicaid planning. More than 100 years of collective experience.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more
- Office
- 582 West Duval StreetLake City, FL 32055
FirmLive Oak, FL
Since 1965 · Serves 7 counties
Live Oak firm in the historic downtown, practicing since 1965 across Suwannee, Madison, Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette, Taylor, and Dixie counties in the Third Judicial Circuit. The firm belongs to the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar and carries an AV Martindale-Hubbell peer rating.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration
- Office
- 108 West Howard StreetLive Oak, FL 32064
FirmLive Oak, FL
Since 2007 · Serves 8 counties
North Florida firm with offices in Live Oak, Lake City, and Jacksonville, working the Third Judicial Circuit -- Suwannee, Columbia, Lafayette, Hamilton, Madison, Taylor, and Dixie counties. Handles probate, wills and estates, guardianship, and family law. Serving clients since 2007.
PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 320 White AvenueLive Oak, FL 32064
FirmGainesville, FL
Since 1974 · Serves 12 counties
Gainesville firm serving Alachua County and north-central Florida since 1974. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, wills and trusts, Medicaid planning, and elder and minor guardianships. Richard Knellinger was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1974 and holds Martindale-Hubbell's AV Peer Review Rating.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more
- Office
- 2815 NW 13th Street, Suite 305Gainesville, FL 32609
FirmGainesville, FL
Serves 8 counties
Gainesville elder law firm serving Alachua, Marion, Columbia, and neighboring north-central Florida counties. Handles probate and trust administration, guardianships, trust and estate litigation, elder financial exploitation recovery, Medicaid planning, and special needs planning. Shannon M. Miller has been board certified by The Florida Bar in Elder Law since 2011.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTrust LitigationElder Lawand 4 more
- Office
- 806 NW 16th Avenue, Suite BGainesville, FL 32601
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.
