Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Franklin 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. Franklin 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 PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation
- Office
- 1615 Village Square Blvd, Suite 7Tallahassee, FL 32309
Solo PracticeCrawfordville, FL
Serves 2 counties
Serves Wakulla and Franklin counties from a main office in Crawfordville and, by appointment, an office upstairs in the historic Apalachicola Post Office. Sean Gellis prepares wills, trusts, Lady Bird deeds, and powers of attorney, and handles probate through the Franklin County Clerk, including summary and formal administration. Offers a free consultation, flat fees, and house calls or video meetings.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate
- Office
- 2931 Crawfordville HwyCrawfordville, FL 32327
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 AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation
- 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 AdministrationProbateElder LawWills Trusts
- Office
- 6148 State Road 70 EBradenton, FL 34203
FirmFort Lauderdale, FL
Serves the whole state
Fort Lauderdale two-attorney firm in which both partners hold Florida Bar board certification: David Shulman in Wills, Trusts and Estates and Jill Ginsberg in Elder Law. Handles probate and trust administration for Broward and Palm Beach fiduciaries, plus guardianship — including emergency temporary guardianship — estate planning, and asset protection. Takes probate matters anywhere in Florida.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more
- Office
- 300 SE 2nd St, Suite 600Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
FirmWinter Park, FL
Since 1971 · Serves the whole state
Winter Park firm serving Orange County and, in probate matters, the entire state of Florida. Represents estate administrators, executors, trustees, and fiduciaries; handles intestate estates, probate real estate, will contests, and probate litigation; and drafts wills, testamentary trusts, and advance directives. Co-founder John R. Gierach has 43 years of experience and an AV Preeminent rating.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
- Office
- 1201 S. Orlando Avenue, Suite 460Winter Park, FL 32789
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.
