Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Polk 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. Polk 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.
FirmLakeland, FL
Since 2000 · Serves 1 county
Lakeland practice serving Polk County and Central Florida, limited to estate planning, probate, and trust administration. Two attorneys handle formal and summary administration, business succession planning, and estate tax minimization, and offer homebound and hospital consultations. Founder Craig A. Mundy is also a certified public accountant.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningProbate Administration
- Office
- 4927 Southfork DrLakeland, FL 33813
FirmLakeland, FL
Serves 1 county
Lakeland firm on South Florida Avenue serving Polk County and central Florida. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, wills and trusts, advance directives, gun trusts, and guardianship. Daniel Medina is board certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates, and the firm serves clients in English and Spanish.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningGuardianshipand 3 more
- Office
- 425 S. Florida Ave., Suite 101Lakeland, FL 33801
Solo PracticeLakeland, FL
Serves 1 county
Lakeland attorney serving families in Polk County for nearly two decades with probate and estate planning services. Former Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Handles administrations of estates, letters of administration, preparation of wills, durable powers of attorney, healthcare surrogates, and advanced directives.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 206 Easton DriveLakeland, FL 33803
FirmBrandon, FL
Serves 3 counties
Brandon firm headquartered on E. Bloomingdale Avenue, with probate offices in Lakeland and New Port Richey serving Hillsborough, Polk, and Pasco counties. Handles formal, summary, and ancillary administration, homestead and creditor-claim issues, and personal-representative duties, plus will contests, removal petitions, and trust litigation. Brice Zoecklein is the managing attorney.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationGuardianshipand 3 more
- Office
- 150 E. Bloomingdale AvenueBrandon, FL 33511
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.
