Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Jefferson 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. Jefferson 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 PlanningProbate LitigationTrust LitigationProbate Administration
- Office
- 1615 Village Square Blvd, Suite 7Tallahassee, FL 32309
FirmTallahassee, FL
Serves 5 counties
Tallahassee and Bainbridge firm licensed in both Florida and Georgia, serving the Big Bend and South Georgia. Handles probate of wills, administration of estates, conservatorships and guardianships, plus wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and succession planning. Also carries a real estate and agriculture practice for rural panhandle clients.
PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipAgricultural LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 2865 Remington Green CircleTallahassee, FL 32308
Solo PracticeTallahassee, FL
Serves 4 counties
Tallahassee solo practice serving Leon County and the Big Bend. Terry Dariotis has been board certified by The Florida Bar as a specialist in wills, trusts and estates since 2001, and guides personal representatives and trustees through summary and formal administration. Florida Super Lawyers honoree.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate Administration
- Office
- 1695 Metropolitan Circle, Suite 6Tallahassee, FL 32308
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
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 AdministrationElder LawProbate AdministrationWills 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 AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 4 more
- Office
- 300 SE 2nd St, Suite 600Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
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.
