Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in DeSoto 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. DeSoto 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.
FirmArcadia, FL
Serves 1 county
Arcadia firm on North Brevard Avenue serving DeSoto County and the surrounding central and southwest Florida communities. Guides personal representatives and trustees through estate and trust administration — asset distribution, creditor matters, and fiduciary duties — and drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical directives. Cole Brewer is an Arcadia native.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 124 N. Brevard AvenueArcadia, FL 34266
Solo PracticeArcadia, FL
Serves 8 counties
Arcadia solo practice and one of the few probate firms based in Florida's inland Heartland, serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Charlotte, Sarasota, Lee, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Paul Seusy handles probate and probate litigation alongside elder law, real estate litigation and family matters, and states plainly that he is not certified by Florida as a specialist.
PracticesProbate LitigationElder LawFamily LawProbate AdministrationReal Estate Litigation
- Office
- 7 N Robert AvenueArcadia, FL 34266
Solo PracticeSebring, FL
Since 1940 · Serves 2 counties
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 445 S. Commerce AvenueSebring, FL 33870
FirmSarasota, FL
Since 1983 · Serves 4 counties
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 2 more
- Office
- 328 N Rhodes AveSarasota, FL 34237
FirmBrandon, FL
Serves 3 counties
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationGuardianshipand 3 more
- Office
- 150 E. Bloomingdale AvenueBrandon, FL 33511
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
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.
