Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Duval 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. Duval 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.
FirmFernandina Beach, FL
Since 2014 · Serves 2 counties
Boutique Fernandina Beach firm on Amelia Island serving Nassau County and the Jacksonville metro. Handles trust and probate administration for families settling an estate, alongside estate planning and private wealth planning for business owners and high-net-worth clients. Founder Lorie L. Chism earned her CPA in 1990 and has been named a Florida Super Lawyer every year since 2014.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 960194 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 101Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
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
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 2006 · Serves 2 counties
Jacksonville firm on Central Parkway serving Duval County and the Beaches since 2006. Lara A. Mason and Sean P. Mason handle probate administration -- including review and negotiation of creditor claims against the estate -- alongside estate planning, elder law and Medicaid planning, and guardianship.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipProbate Administration
- Office
- 11555 Central Parkway, Suite 502Jacksonville, FL 32224
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.
