Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Pinellas 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. Pinellas 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.
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 AdministrationProbate LitigationGuardianshipProbate Administration
- Office
- 3119 Manatee Avenue WestBradenton, FL 34205
Solo PracticeLargo, FL
Serves 3 counties
Largo practice serving Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area, with a second office in downtown St. Petersburg. Daniel De Paz handles probate and trust administration, estate planning, elder law and VA benefits planning, special needs trusts, and unclaimed property recovery. Bilingual English and Spanish.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 2 more
- Office
- 12651 Walsingham Road, Suite BLargo, FL 33774
FirmSaint Petersburg, FL
Since 1962 · Serves 1 county
St. Petersburg firm practicing since 1962 and filing in the Pinellas County probate court. Six attorneys handle estate and trust administration, probate litigation, and will and trust contests, alongside estate planning, guardianship, and Medicaid and long-term-care planning. Founder George Wilsey is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 8 more
- Office
- 1000 16th Street NorthSaint Petersburg, FL 33705
FirmSaint Petersburg, FL
Since 1962 · Serves 2 counties
St. Petersburg firm serving Pinellas and Hillsborough County families from Clearwater to Tampa and Sun City. Represents personal representatives and trustees through probate and trust administration and probate and trust litigation, plus wills, trusts, guardianships, and elder law. David Foster began the practice here in 1962; his son Bill Foster was mayor of St. Petersburg from 2010 to 2013.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 3 more
- Office
- 2111 Dr M.L.K. Jr St NSaint Petersburg, FL 33704
FirmTampa, FL
Since 2003 · Serves 3 counties
Tampa firm founded in 2003 with offices in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Trinity, and Wesley Chapel. Handles formal, summary, and ancillary probate administration, trust administration, and will contests across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. Of counsel Linda S. Griffin is Florida Bar board certified in both taxation and wills, trusts and estates.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationProbate Administration
- Office
- 1000 West Cass StreetTampa, FL 33606
FirmSarasota, FL
Since 1995 · Serves 3 counties
Sarasota elder law and estate planning firm founded in 1995, serving Sarasota, Tampa, and St. Petersburg. Handles probate and trust administration, guardianship proceedings, long-term care planning, special needs trusts, and veterans benefits. Two of its attorneys were among the first three board certified elder law attorneys in Florida.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more
- Office
- 46 N. Washington Blvd., Suite 21Sarasota, 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.
