Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Manatee 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. Manatee 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 and Comptroller, 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.
FirmBradenton, FL
Since 1995 · Serves 4 counties
Bradenton firm serving Manatee and Sarasota counties from five offices, including Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Anna Maria Island, and downtown Sarasota. Handles formal and summary probate administration, creditor claims, trust administration and accountings, will contests and fiduciary disputes, and guardianship proceedings. Established 1995.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationGuardianship
- Office
- 3119 Manatee Avenue WestBradenton, FL 34205
Solo PracticeUniversity Park, FL
Serves 2 counties
Veteran-owned solo practice in University Park (Manatee County) serving Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice. Handles formal, summary, and ancillary probate, and trust administration for successor trustees. Bart Scovill is a second-generation estate planning attorney who grew up in Sarasota, served in the U.S. Army, and has over 32 years of experience. Free initial consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateWills Trusts
- Office
- 8031 Cooper Creek Blvd, Suite 101University Park, FL 34201
FirmBradenton, FL
Serves 2 counties
Lakewood Ranch firm serving Manatee and Sarasota counties, renamed from Butler Elder Law in January 2026. Handles probate and trust administration, guardianships, Medicaid eligibility planning, special needs trusts, and elder fraud and fiduciary abuse claims.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more
- Office
- 2025 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Suite 201Bradenton, FL 34211
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 AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more
- Office
- 328 N Rhodes AveSarasota, FL 34237
FirmSarasota, FL
Since 1971 · Serves 2 counties
Sarasota estate and trust firm on Main Street, practicing in Sarasota and Manatee counties since 1971. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, contested wills and trusts, inheritance disputes, guardianship, and Medicaid planning across Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch. R. Craig Harrison is board certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
- Office
- 1605 Main Street, Suite 1111Sarasota, FL 34236
Solo PracticeSarasota, FL
Since 2011 · Serves 2 counties
Sarasota practice founded in 2011, with a second office in Lakewood Ranch, serving Sarasota and Manatee counties. Handles probate, trust administration and settlement after death, estate and gift tax planning, and probate and trust disputes including arbitration and mediation. David M. Silberstein has been Florida Bar board certified in both Tax Law and Wills, Trusts and Estates since 1998.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 1515 Ringling Boulevard, Suite 860Sarasota, FL 34236
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.
