Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Okaloosa 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. Okaloosa 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 & 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.
FirmPensacola, FL
Since 1913 · Serves 4 counties
Pensacola firm practicing since 1913, with its main office less than a half mile from the Escambia County Court House where Pensacola probate cases are heard. Handles probate and estate administration, ancillary administration of non-residents' Florida property, will contests and probate litigation, guardianships, and estate tax planning. Branch offices in Pace and Miramar Beach.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTax Planningand 2 more
- Office
- 30 S Spring StreetPensacola, FL 32502
FirmShalimar, FL
Since 1987 · Serves 4 counties
Shalimar firm on Eglin Parkway, near Fort Walton Beach, serving Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa, and Bay counties since 1987. Handles probate administration, guardianships and conservatorships, and tax-efficient estate planning. Founding shareholder H. Bart Fleet is admitted to the U.S. Tax Court and teaches the Wills, Trusts and Probate course at Northwest Florida State College.
PracticesEstate PlanningTax PlanningConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more
- Office
- 1283 Eglin Parkway, Suite AShalimar, FL 32579
FirmPensacola, FL
Serves 4 counties
Pensacola firm on Palafox Place serving Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties from offices in Pensacola and Santa Rosa Beach. Handles formal, summary, and ancillary probate administration through the Escambia County probate court, plus contested wills, executor-duty disputes, and creditor claims. Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationProbate AdministrationReal Estate Litigation
- Office
- 127 Palafox Place, Suite 200Pensacola, FL 32502
FirmDestin, FL
Since 2014 · Serves 2 counties
Destin firm serving Okaloosa, Walton, and the rest of Northwest Florida, founded in 2014 by Destin native William G. Kilpatrick Jr. and now three attorneys. Handles formal and summary probate administration for personal representatives and trust administration for trustees, including notices, accountings, and creditor claims. Estate planning is quoted on flat fees.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawProbate Administration
- Office
- 3999 Commons Drive West, Suite GDestin, FL 32541
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
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.
